CALZAGHE BEATS JONES KEEPS TITLE

(From Bloomberg)
Welsh Boxer Calzaghe Beats Jones, Keeps Light Heavyweight Title

By Nancy Kercheval

Nov. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Undefeated Welsh boxer Joe Calzaghe won a unanimous decision over Roy Jones Jr., pelting his opponent with a flurry of punches to retain his light heavyweight title in a 12-round fight last night at New York's Madison Square Garden.

Calzaghe, undefeated in 46 bouts, received three identical judge's scores of 118-109 over Jones, an eight-time world champion whose record fell to 52-5. The winner is three victories shy of the 49-0 record held by Rocky Marciano.

``This could be my last fight,'' said Calzaghe in a broadcast interview. ``I have to go and sit down and evaluate the situation.''

Calzaghe, wearing black sequined shorts, was knocked down with 45 seconds left in the first round.

``I was stunned,'' said the 36-year-old boxer. ``When I go down, I just get upset. I didn't see the punch coming. It was a good shot.''

Calzaghe threw 985 punches, landing 344 or 35 percent, as his 39-year-old opponent connected with 159, or 33 percent, of his 475 attempts. Of the total, Calzaghe landed 120 jabs and 224 power punches, opening up a cut over his opponent's eye in the seventh round. Jones returned 12 jabs and 147 punches.

``I gave it my best effort,'' said Jones, wearing orange and black shorts. ``He was a better man tonight.''

Both men weighed in at 174.5 pounds and could reach 24 inches. At 6 feet, Calzaghe had a one-inch height advantage over Jones, of Pensacola, Florida.