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TONIGHT - at New York - (HBO PPV) - 12 rounds, light heavyweights: Joe Calzaghe (45-0, 32 KOs) vs. Roy Jones Jr. (52-4, 38 KOs); 10 rounds, light welterweights: Dmitriy Salita (28-0-1, 16 KOs) vs. Derrick Campos (17-5, 10 KOs); 10 rounds, welterweights: Zab Judah (36-6, 25 KOs) vs. Ernest Johnson (18-2-1, 7 KOs); 10 rounds, light welterweights: Francisco Figueroa (19-2, 13 KOs) vs. Emanuel Augustus (38-29-6, 20 KOs); 8 rounds, light middleweights: Kerry Hope (11-1, 1 KO) vs. Willie Lee (16-5, 11 KOs); 8 rounds, heavyweights: Dominick Guinn (29-6-1, 20 KOs) vs. Gabe Brown (18-8-4, 12 KOs); 8 rounds, middleweights: Daniel Edouard (19-2-2, 11 KOs) vs. Alphonso Williams (10-4, 8 KOs).
There are two interesting fights on the card tonight. In the first, Zab Judah attempts to get ranked in the junior welterweight division. He has not had "luck" at the heavier weight. It may be that he has waited too long to move back down. However, this fight could be fun to watch.
The main event features Roy Jones, Jr., in a non-title bout against Joe Calzaghe. The odds-makers have made Calzaghe a 4 to 1 favorite. Boxing people see it a little differently, however. The Europeans heavily favor Calzaghe, as might be expected. In the US, a number of people give Calzaghe an edge, but think Roy could pull off an upset.
Bernard Hopkins said that he thinks Roy can win, in part due to faster hand speed. Roy does not have the ability to match Calzaghe's punch output, but the majority of his rapid combinations lack real power. They do, of course, allow him to mix in power punches from time to time.
I think it comes down to where the fight is fought. If Roy can stay in the middle of the ring, and keep his left foot inside Calzaghe's feet when Joe shortens the distance, he has a chance. That will potentially allow him to get off his left hook, to either the ribs or the head. Roy punches hard still, and if he catches Joe coming into his power, he can hurt him.
I see the fight as about 50-50 going in, though I know that Calzaghe has some advantages. Any predictions?
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