JOE Calzaghe has refused to rule out a Millennium Stadium rematch with Roy Jones Jr next summer, but admits he's terrified what his mum will say if he fights on.
The 36-year old Argus columnist confirmed that in his mind, he will be retired as soon as Saturday's Battle of the Superpowers with Roy Jones Jr is over.
However, he refused to rule out one last duel with Jones, even though mum Jackie will be furious if he does.
Calzaghe even went as far as to tell the British journalists who he met for a sit-down chat at Planet Hollywood in Times Square that there is a rematch clause between him and Jones, though Calzaghe's lawyer told the Argus that is not the case.
Jones has repeatedly said that Joe's last fight will be in Cardiff rather than here in New York and father and trainer Enzo Calzaghe also told the Argus that he believes Joe will fight one more time after Saturday.
Calzaghe is keeping an open mind, though his stance on the subject has most definitely softened.
He explained: “At the moment I don't feel like I want to fight again. 46-0, undefeated, that'll do me nicely.
“I don't want to push it, after a fight I don't want to go to the gym, I don't miss it, I've got other things I want to do. I've got two beautiful boys, 11 and 14, and want to spend more time with them rather than training.
“It's my mum, she's the biggest factor, it does my head in listening to her telling me to stop!
“To be honest boxing has become less important to me and I don't want to go on too long.
“But when you're out of boxing, things change maybe, I don't know, ask me again in six months.
“But there is a rematch clause I believe, one home fight, one away fight, but I don't think he (Jones) will be interested in coming to Cardiff after I have knocked him out.
“But if I do ever fight again I would only do so in Cardiff. But at the moment, I don't think it'll happen, but who knows?”
Calzaghe believes he can produce a career defining performance against Jones.
“I am in better shape than when I fought Hopkins. I am excited and fully motivated, I feel liberated,” he said.
“To fight in Madison Square Garden against Roy Jones, it doesn't get any bigger than that, it's the pinnacle of my career. The last two fights are the biggest I've ever had and Jones will be in the best shape he's been in for years.
“He may not be the fighter he once was, but he's very talented and more natural at light heavyweight than I am.
“But I will win this fight... I want to put on a great fight for the fans and hopefully stop him. I honestly believe I can stop him. Sometimes recently I've had hand troubles and not shown 100% of myself, but this time everything is great.
“I feel right, I didn't before the Hopkins fight because of worries with my hands, I felt stressed out.
“But this is a fight I feel brilliant about. Styles make fights and I think Jones will bring out the best of me.
“I am so desperate to make my mark at MSG, it motivates me.”
* Jones insists it will be Calzaghe feeling the pressure on Saturday.
Jones, aged 39 and with a 52-4 record, comes into the fight still trying to recapture the adulation that accompanied his reign as an eight-time, four-weight 'pound-for-pound' champion before losing consecutive fights at light-heavyweight to Antonio Tarver, Glen Johnson and Tarver again in 2004-05.
The comeback trail had been pedestrian and less than dazzling with decision wins over Prince Ajamu and Anthony Hanshaw taking place a year apart but Jones got back on track with a more impressive points win over Felix Trinidad in New York last January.
Now he faces the unbeaten Calzaghe, trying to take the Ring Magazine belt as undisputed light-heavyweight champion that the Welshman captured in April on a split decision over Bernard Hopkins.
Jones insisted his own legacy is not under threat but claimed Calzaghe's reputation would be tarnished by defeat.
"A loss for Joe would be much more significant to him than a win would be for me,’’ he said.
"Winning would be good for me but losing would really ruin his record,” Jones Jnr said "To lose to just one man, well, you would have to love being that one man.
"It (pressure) isn't all on Joe because people are paying to see me fight too and I have to keep up my end too but there's more pressure on him.’’ As for his own reputation Jones, who is happy in the role of underdog, continued: "Nothing that happens in this fight can take away from my legacy.
"I might be able to add to it if I pull off this upset but that's the only thing that will happen to it.”
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