Alton Merkerson, Jones’ trainer:
” There have been no changes in the way we have trained for this fight. One thing I respect about Roy is that he never forgets where he came from and we always go back to the basics.
“With our training, we always stick to the basic fundamentals; you first need heart. It takes a man to get knocked down and get up and try again. You have to be able to give a punch and take a punch and always be smart in the ring.
“We will do whatever it takes. A win is a win.
“If you got stung by a bee in the cheek would you ever let another bee sting you there? No and Roy won’t let Joe keep doing the same thing to him.
“Roy has nothing to prove. He has already proven it. He is doing this fight to prove to everyone that he still can.
“Joe has all the pressure in this fight because people are saying Roy is the underdog and that Joe should win because he is at his prime and Roy isn’t. But Roy performs best when he is the underdog.
“Roy has radar he doesn’t waste punches, and is going to make his punches count and that’s no secret to anyone.
“If you are always worried about defense you will never have any offensive. In this fight you will see natural strategies.
“This fight is going to be like two gladiators running at each other on horses and the smartest guy will not get knock off.
“It is going to be a great fight but I just don’t see Roy losing.
“He will beat Joe and this fight will just be a additional thing to add to Roy’s history”
Enzo Calzaghe, Calzaghe’s dad and trainer:
“Joe prepares himself, opponents change but the game stays the same. Joe trains with his own plans and does not think too much. If you think too much it could get in the way. He knows his own heart and mind.
“Joe is natural and knows his own instincts. As long as Joe shows up at the top of his game it won’t be a problem.
“Joe has heart, and talent to achieve what he has set out to do. Saturday night is just part of that road.
“I don’t want anything. I want it for Joe. We have achieved this together as father and son and 25 years latter, we have the best chemistry.
“I am a person who works with Joe as first his father and second his trainer which is what he will need me to be on Saturday night.
“His dream is to be undefeated and that is what gives him the true essence of his career.
” For Roy Jones I wonder when shit hits the fan what is going to happen to him? With his mind and heart challenged will he come out short? Roy Jones has been stopped before. He is a great fighter but does Roy have it? Talk is cheap, and it’s the soul searching when the moment comes means the most.
“Roy knows that we hunted for him. He didn’t look for us because we wanted the best fight we could have and at Madison Square Garden. You can’t beat that”
Calzaghe vs. Jones “Battle of the Superpowers” is a 12-round championship for Calzaghe’s Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight Championship belt. Promoted by Square Ring, Inc. and Calzaghe Promotions in association with Madison Square Garden, Calzaghe vs. Jones will take place November 8, and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
Tickets priced at $1500, $1000, $750, $500, $250 and $150, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets or online at ticketmaster.com.
The final episode of HBO’s all-access reality series Calzaghe/Jones 24/7 debuts tonight, Thursday, Nov. 6 at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT.
All three half-hour episodes of CALZAGHE/JONES 24/7 will be presented back-to-back-to-back Friday, Nov. 7 (8:30-10:00 p.m.), and Saturday, Nov. 8 (8:30-10:00 a.m.), on HBO. All times are ET/PT.