Jones expects leather to fly against Calzaghe

NEW YORK - Roy Jones Jr. claims he's been seeing Joe Calzaghe punching in his sleep.

It wouldn't surprise anybody, either. The undefeated champion from Wales is known for his tremendous work rate, often throwing more than 100 blows in a round. He's always moving forward, always pressuring his opponent.

It's the reason Calzaghe is a fan favorite. And the reason he's one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

"He started punching yesterday," Jones joked earlier this week. "I've been ducking and dodging in my sleep. I know he's punching already. I ain't tripping about that, because that's what he does. But we'll have to see [tonight] what we're going to do about that."

Their light heavyweight fight at Madison Square Garden may be coming 10 years too late, but the 36-year-old Calzaghe - one of the longest-reigning champions in boxing history - and the 39-year-old Jones, an eight-time world champion, both insist their skills haven't dulled.

Each weighed in half a pound under the 175-pound limit yesterday, flexing and mugging for the cameras, neither showing his age. They stood toe-to-toe on a platform with arena workers busily constructing a ring in the background, trying hard not to smile, undoubtedly pleased that at this advanced stage in their careers they're still a major draw.

How much is yet to be seen, though. Tickets are reportedly selling slowly, the prices set high on the heels of Jones's successful fight against Felix Trinidad earlier this year and before the economic downturn.

"This is what I do for a living," Jones said, confident the fight will do well both at the box office and in pay-per-view revenue. "It's what I love."

Indeed, Jones (52-4, 38 KOs) is in the midst of a renaissance, finishing off a three-fight comeback of sorts by dismantling Trinidad at the Garden in January. The best boxer of the 1990s looked like his old self, dancing around the ring and baiting the smaller Trinidad before snapping off those straight punches that never seemed to miss.

"I'm at my prime," Jones said, "I'm feeling better than ever."

Jones denies this fight is about his legacy and promises it won't be his last, but it will almost certainly be one of the most difficult he's had.

The reason is Calzaghe (45-0, 32 KOs) is simply relentless, his rapid-fire punches coming from all angles. The Pride of Wales can be shifty when he needs to be, counterpunch when the opportunity arises. And he showed in a decision over Bernard Hopkins in April that he can withstand getting knocked to the floor.

"Make no mistakes, I respect the guy," Calzaghe said. "He's fighting to stop something I've been working my life for, and I'm not going to allow that."