The Neutral Corner

It’s exciting to hear Roy Jones Jr. talk about fighting Joe Calzaghe or Bernard Hopkins or the winner of their fight. BUT, the reality is, he could have fought both of these men a long time ago.

Calzaghe’s championship reign at super middleweight has run from 1997 to the present. Throughout that time there was plenty of talk – speculation – about Jones fighting Calzaghe. It never happened. Nor did the unification match against WBO light heavyweight champion Dariusz Michalczewski.

Jones beat Hopkins for the vacant IBF middleweight title in 1993. The Executioner has tried to get a rematch with Roy ever since. He went unbeaten for nearly 13 years, but still couldn’t lure Jones into the ring.

Roy is also talking about fighting the Taylor-Pavlik winner or dropping further in weight to fight Oscar De La Hoya.

Jones is a first-ballot hall-of-famer. No questions asked. But, as great a fighter as he is, there is quite a lack of “mega” fights on his resume. Some of it has to do with the quality of opposition during his era, some of it has to do with his immense talent, but enough of it has to do with Roy not taking chances.

So why, at 39, do we think he’ll start taking chances?

If you think about the Trinidad fight, it was a perfectly calculated risk on the part of Jones. Trinidad looked terrible against Winky Wright in 2005. Was he really going to look much better against a superior boxing like Jones? In 2008? The only thing Roy had to worry about was Tito’s power – considerable indeed – but it has certainly diminished since his heyday at welterweight.

Ultimately, it was a nice night for both of them to retire on.

Replay. HBO will broadcast the Jones-Trinidad fight on Sat. Jan. 26 as part of a Boxing After Dark card that features heavyweights Alexander Povetkin and Eddie Chambers… Check out Newsday.com’s photo gallery of the fight… Also, Newsday’s Wally Matthews had the best postfight line of all when he wrote, "… the truth is, Jones and Trinidad have a future in boxing, all right, so long as they continue to fight each other." Read his column here.

PPV Success. ESPN.com is reporting that the Jones-Trinidad fight drew better-than-expected numbers. According to the story, the fight had 500,000 buys and $25 million in domestic television revenue.

Say Goodbye. It’s time for Trinidad to retire. He’s had a great career and has nothing left to prove in the game. Same for Roy. He always said he wouldn’t let himself get hurt. It’s time take your own advice. -- CASSIDY

Technorati Profile

Roy Jones Jr. (52-4, 38 KO's) scored an easy unanimous decision victory over Felix Trinidad (42-3, 35 KO's) (116-110, 117-109, 116-110) in front of 12,162 at Madison Square Garden.

Other results:

Andrew Golota W12 Mike Mollo

Alex Bunema KO 10 Roman Karmazin

Devon Alexander W12 Demarcus Corley

Luis Collazzo W10 Edvan Dos Santos Barros

Emanuelle N’wodo KO 2 Ezra Sellers

Gabe Brown and Paul Marinaccio, Draw, 8

Angelo Santana KO 1 Kenny Keaton

BY MARCUS HENRY

ROUND 1: Both fighters took time feeling each other out. But round 1 goes to Trinidad, who was a bit more aggressive.

ROUND 2: Trinidad went to the body early in the round and connected. But Jones came back midway through with a couple of lead rights hands. He landed a few good shots and stayed away from Trinidad's power to end the round. Second round to Jones.

ROUND 3: In what was by far the most aggressive round for Jones, he took control early with his jab. Trinidad came back in the final minute with a few body combinations, but his attacks were of no consequence. Round 3 to Jones.

ROUND 4: Jones has started to pick and choose his points of attack and landed several jabs and lead right hands. Trinidad is game, but Jones is beginning to find his spots. Round 4 to Jones.

ROUND 5: Trinidad was the more aggressive o the two, landing several power shots. But Jones could be playing with him, waiting for a time to pounce.Trinidad received a warning for a low blow. Round 5 to Trinidad.

ROUND 6: Jones landed two hard rights with just over a minute left. Trinidad came back with three lefts, but Jones took control in the final 50 seconds with several combinations. Round 6 to Jones.

AFTER SIX ROUNDS 58-56 JONES

ROUND 7: Jones scored a knockdown with a hard right to the head at the 1:40 mark of the round. Round 7 to Jones (10-8).

ROUND 8: Trinidad looked good for the first 1:30 of the round. Jones came back with a flurry in the final 1:10. But Trinidad ended the round well. Round 8 to Trinidad.

ROUND 9: Jones landed a hard right at the 2:15 mark and a tough uppercut 15 seconds later. Trinidad came back with 1:30 left, but Jones took the blows and landed a combo to stay in control. Another uppercut with 40 seconds left sealed it for Jones. Round 9 to Jones.

AFTER 9 ROUNDS 87-83 JONES

ROUND 10: Jones was in his customary one glove up, one down stance. It worked as he landed a hard lead right at 1:50. Trinidad had him in the corner and let off a few, but Jones came back with two hard rights at 1:15. Trinidad can't seem to make his blows hurt. Jones made a statement with his second knockdown of the night with 20 seconds left. Trinidad actually lost his balance, but it is still ruled a knockdown. ROUND 10 to Jones (10-8).

ROUND 11: It's clear at this point that Trinidad can't hurt Jones. Fighting at 170 pounds is just too much for the former 5-time world champ. Jones absorbed every shot Trinidad took and returned them in kind. ROUND 11 to Jones.

ROUND 12: Jones was the better man. He fought a strategic fight, picking his time to throw combinations and power shots. His plan was carried out with great execution. ROUND 12 to Jones.

FINAL TALLY: 117-109. A relatively easy win for Jones.

Trinidad took a chance fighting at 170 pounds and he paid the price. But to his credit, he stood in there and didn't let Jones' flashy style or quickness get to him. The bottom line is, Trinidad is not a light heavyweight. He's a great welterweight fighter, but lightheavy was too much.

As for Jones, he was in great shape. Then again, he fought a career welterweight -- middleweight fighter. We'll see what happens when he fights a prime light heavyweight with some power.

A mini controversy was brewing at Madison Square Garden when the main event fighters -- Roy Jones Jr. and Felix Trinidad -- couldn't agree on what gloves would be used inside the ring. According to a news release sent to the media, promoter Don King mediated the dispute this afternoon.

“The glove issue has been solved,” said King. “I met with Roy Jones Jr.’s representatives and Papa Trinidad and his lawyer Nicolas Medina in Roy’s suite across the street from the Garden. We came to an agreement that Superman Roy Jones Jr. will wear Everlast gloves, just as it agreed in the contract.”

Jones said he would have preferred to wear Grant gloves.

“I wanted to wear the gloves to represent my fraternity, Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE), the largest fraternity in the world,” said Jones. “I want to knock Tito Trinidad out for the Heartland of America. I wanted to wear my [Grant] gloves because they were made to match my outfit—the colors of TKE—burgundy and gray. Because I know that all of the TKE’s across the land will be watching me tonight. I tried to do good for the TKE, but Tito’s father was obstinate and Tito wouldn’t even talk to me. Tito wouldn’t even give me the courtesy of a conversation. He sent his daddy and his daddy’s lawyer up to my suite to talk to me."

Everlast has been outfitting fighters in championship fights since 1922. Grant is a relatively new company, modeling itself after the Mexican equipment manufacturer, Reyes. Grant gloves are considered "punchers" gloves. -- CASSIDY

Here are the official weights for tonight's Don King card at Madison Square Garden. Plus, officials for the featured bouts:

Light heavyweight
Felix Trinidad, 170 lbs. - Roy Jones Jr., 169 1/2 lbs.
Referee: Arthur Mercante Jr., N.Y.
Judges: Julie Lederman, N.Y., Nelson Vasquez, P.R., Tom Kaczmarek, N.J.

Heavyweight
Andrew Golota, 237 -- Mike Mollo, 222
Referee: Randy Newman, N.Y.
Judges: Bob Gilson, N.Y., Tom Schreck, N.Y., Robin Taylor, N.Y.

Jr. middleweight
Roman Karmazin, 151 3/4 -- Alex Bunema, 153
Referee: Johnny Callas, Conn.
Judges: Don Ackerman, N.Y., Billy Costello, N.Y., Wynn Kintz, N.Y.

Jr. welterweight
DeMarcus Corley, 138 1/4 -- Devon Alexander, 138
Referee: Gary Rosato, Pa.
Judges: John McKaie, N.Y., Don Trella, Conn., Steve Weisfeld, N.J.

Undercard
Luis Collazzo, 150 -- Edvan Dos Santos Barros, 149
Emanuelle N'Wodo, 206 3/4 -- Ezra Sellers, 206 1/4
Gabe Brown, 340 -- Paul Marinaccio, 236
Angelo Santana, 138 -- Kenny Keaton 139

-- CASSIDY

Teen star Corbin Bleu, best known for his starring roles in "High School Musical" and "High School Musical 2," has been tapped to sing the national anthem at the fight between Felix “Tito” Trinidad and Roy Jones Jr. on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The anthem will be shown as part of the live HBO Pay-Per-View telecast.

Blue once played a Golden Gloves boxer in the Disney TV movie, "Jump In." The teenage fighter is persuaded to compete in a double-dutch jump rope competition. You acquire this kind of information when you channel surf with your 8-year-old daughter. -- CASSIDY

The weigh-in for the Roy Jones-Felix Trinidad card is Friday at 2:30 p.m. HBO will stream video from the event live. To see Tito as a light heavyweight, follow the link to HBO below. -- CASSIDY

BY MARCUS HENRY

Roy Jones Jr. left boxing fans no doubt what his next move is during his media workout at Kingsway Gym on Wednesday. "As soon as I knock out Trinidad, I'm going to Wales."

For anyone scratching their head, Jones talking about heading to Whales to fight Joe Calzaghe. Calzaghe told the Daily Mirror in a recent interview that he wants a big-ticket fight before he hangs up the gloves. He mentioned a date with Bernard Hopkins as his focus. But we all know if Jones is available, Calzaghe will jump at the chance.

Considered by some as one of the all-time greats, Jones still carries a name. Beating Jones, even at his current age of 39, is saying something. And Jones said he is more than willing to take on Calzaghe. He even said he would take the fight at 168 pounds.

If Calzaghe isn't available, Jones said he is willing to fight any of the big guns in boxing. "I would fight Glen Johnson, Antonio Tarver, Chad Dawson - I don't care," he said. "Let me tell you one more time, my time, my probation period is over. I don't care who he is."

Sounds like the old Roy to me.

It seems the theme here is that no one is really interested in the Roy Jones Jr.-Felix Trinidad fight at Madison Square Garden. Both men are past their prime. There is not a world title at stake. It’s hard to justify paying $49.95 to watch this fight on pay per view. Really, it’s very hard to make an argument for the fight. But I love a challenge.

1. Sometimes a pair of fighters have faded just enough to make for a highly competitive and exciting fight. Reflexes have slowed, foot movement drags a bit, thus, defense becomes diminished. Leonard-Hearns II and Ali-Frazier III are perfect examples of what could happen when great fighters meet each other late in their careers.

2. It’s the end of someone’s era. The loser will undoubtedly (and hopefully) retire. This night will be the Swan Song for an all-time great. My guess, it’s Trinidad on the short end of a decision. Jones claims that he’ll travel to Wales to fight Joe Calzaghe next. He never crossed the Atlantic during his prime, so why would he do so now?

3. The knockout. It’s boxing version of the home run or the tomahawk slam dunk. It’s the most emphatic statement in all of sport. Tito is still a puncher and Jones still has a suspect chin. Jones was starched by Glen Johnson. One clean right cross from Trinidad could produce the same result.

4. Both guys are sure first-ballot hall-of-famers. How often does that happen?

5. And if you’re really still not interested, this may be the best reason to stay interested. HBO will likely broadcast for free a week later. -- CASSIDY

Maybe there is a filter on the news they get in Pensacola, hometown of Roy Jones Jr. Maybe he doesn't understand just how bad the Knicks really are. After attending a practice session today, why else would Jones say:

“I’ve had my ups and downs over the last three years so I came out here today to let coach Thomas and the Knicks know they just need to hang in there, do the best they can, and their time will come. I know it will.”

Their time will come?

I know. Roy fights Felix Trinidad at the Garden on Jan. 19 and its all part of the promotion. But there are not too many people aligning themselves with the 8-20 Knicks right now. Not only are they bad on the court, their public image is at an all-time low. Diehard fans are having trouble getting behind this team.

Jones is a pretty good basketball player, having spent an entire season in the USBL. In fact, he once competed in a USBL game in the afternoon and later that evening he defended his super middleweight title with a 12th-round TKO over Eric Lucas.

When Jones showed up at the practice, he was invited by coach Isiah Thomas to participate in some drills.

“It was a dream come true for me to get on the court and shoot around and do some drills with the Knicks," he said. "I was a little rusty but I wasn’t going to say no to coach Isiah. What a thrill it was to be on the court with the Knicks to see up close and personal how good they really are."

Wow. Someone surely spiked his Gatoraide. -- CASSIDY

BY MIKE ROSE

Roy Jones Jr. fighting Felix Trinidad in a 12-round bout in Madison Square Garden on Jan. 19.

Why doesn't that sentence excite me?

I covered Trinidad and Jones when they were both world champions and in their primes. But this isn't 1997 and both fighters are not what they used to be.

That's why I'm having all sorts of trouble getting pumped for this fight. I simply don't see this fight being very good.

Big names. Big hype.

Big deal? No.

Trinidad turns 35 on Jan. 10. He hasn't fought since May 14, 2005, when he lost a lopsided 12-round unanimous decision to Winky Wright in Las Vegas. So this will be Trinidad's comeback fight. Actually, this will be his first fight as a light heavyweight. Trinidad weighed 160 when he fought Wright, the heaviest he's been for a fight. Trinidad apparently has tacked on an additional 15 pounds to fight Jones. I'm not looking forward to a heavier Trinidad.

Jones, who turns 39 on Jan. 16, has lost three of his last five fights. Jones, however, has won his last two fights, most recently beating Anthony Hanshaw for the IBC light heavyweight title in July.

You can't blame MSG or Don King for hyping a Jones-Trinidad fight. That's their job. But seeing a preview show on MSG and then hearing commercials on 1050 ESPN promoting this fight is a bit excessive. My favorite radio commercial is the one where the guy describes being in the Garden for Ali-Frazier I and how Jones-Trinidad will be another great chapter in boxing at MSG. Those aren't the exact words, but that's the tone of the message.

Wow!

Oh, I'll watch this fight and I'll be interested in who wins, simply because I'm a boxing fan.

But I won't get excited until Feb. 16 when Kelly Pavlik and Jermain Taylor have their rematch.