Jones confirms Calzaghe clash

Calzaghe: Farewell fight

I went to New York as part of the build-up of both the Mikkel Kessler and Bernard Hopkins fights and I love the place.

Joe Calzaghe
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Joe Calzaghe will face Roy Jones Jr in New York later this year in his final fight before hanging up his gloves.

Jones, who is also expected to retire after the fight, confirmed to BBC Sport Wales on Saturday that the showdown would take place at Madison Square Garden on September 20.

The legendary American fighter also said that the pot for the lucrative farewell fight would be split 50-50 between him the unbeaten Welshman.

"We are fighting at Madison Square Gardens because it's an easier fight from over there to here," he said.

"Vegas was on the radar, but it's easier to get a flight to New York.

"When Joe fought in Vegas (against Bernard Hopkins), I ran into a lot of people who weren't happy with the arrangements and the way they had to go through all the stops to get there.

"So I wanted to make it easier for the people to come from the United Kingdom to support the fight because I know how many will be coming.

Modern era fighter

"Madison Square Gardens holds 18,000, about the same as if we were back at the Thomas and Mack Centre in Las Vegas.

"I was a fighter of the 90s, but I'm also a modern era fighter. I'm going to show people what I am.

"Everything is being split 50-50. It's straight down the middle. I wouldn't have it any other way."

Writing in his weekly column in the South Wales Argus, Calzaghe, who gave up his WBC super-middleweight belt to fight Jones in a light-heavyweight contest, said he was looking forward to fighting in New York.

"I went to New York as part of the build-up of both the Mikkel Kessler and Bernard Hopkins fights and I love the place," wrote the 36-year-old.

"I also think NY is a town where I would be very well received.

"There is a very large Italian-American population in Manhattan and that attracts me also.

"The biggest names in the sport - Ali, Leonard, Foreman, and Marciano - have all boxed at the Garden.

"It would also represent the best venue in America in order to accommodate my supporters from all over the UK."