FORMER world champion fighter Richie Woodhall, whose career came to a close thanks to a brutal left hand from Joe Calzaghe, is tipping his former foe to repeat the trick when he meets Roy Jones Jr at Madison Square Garden tomorrow night.

Woodhall, in the Big Apple on summarising duty for Setanta, is big mates with Argus columnist Calzaghe despite the undefeated Pride of Wales ending his career with a one-sided destruction at the Sheffield Arena.

Also trained by his father and one of the best respected voices in the sport today, Woodhall was categoric in his assessment of tomorrow’s ‘Battle of the Superpowers.’ He told the Argus: “Roy Jones is no longer the fighter he was I don’t believe, he’s no Bernard Hopkins, I don’t think there is that much left in the tank.

“I think that if Joe sets a high pace and tempo, like we’ve seen so many times before, then I don’t think Jones will be able to live with that.

“I think he could definitely stop him to be honest.

“Joe knows he’s coming to the end of the road and this is his last big chance maybe on the biggest stage. I’ve talked to him this week and he seems really excited and hungry.

“He’s totally ready to prove why he’s the biggest star of the game.

“I think he’s more focused than he was against Hopkins and I think he’s fighting a less dangerous opponent.”

Woodhall believes that Calzaghe versus Jones at MSG is the biggest fight Setanta have had since rivalling the other networks.

“It’s the biggest fight we’ve had for sure, two guys at the top of the tree and at MSG, it’s our biggest fight for sure,” he said.

“Even if Jones isn’t what he was, it’s the venue, it’s New York and after all the election stuff it’s an exciting time.”

Woodhall believes Joe will be true to his word and retire after Saturday.

“To box at Madison Square Garden, the most prestigious boxing stage in the world,” he said.

“To end his career there, is something unbelievable for Joe, it’s fantastic for him,” he said.

“And add to that the fact that he is boxing Roy Jones, it caps it off.

“I don’t care what anyone says, Roy Jones Jnr is a modern day legend.”

Woodhall said: “He was the first man in 106 years to win the middleweight and heavyweight titles, he really is or was a superman.

“To do that caps off Joe’s career perfectly.

“He’s said he’ll bow out and I believe him.”