The Neutral Corner

Mark La Monica, Newsday: "Roy in the ninth."

Mario Gonzalez, Newsday: "I think that Jones Jr. will have a tough time with Calzaghe's size, endurance and speed. I think Calzaghe will win by unanimous decision."

Wallace Matthews, Newsday: "My suspicion is that Jones could school Calzaghe the same way Hopkins schooled Pavlik two weeks ago, only this time the fight could end in a knockout because of Jones' heavier hands. Calzaghe is fast, but not as fast as Jones, and he's a slapper with nothing to discourage Jones from being aggressive. Jones is by far the superior talent. The only question--and it's the same one Hopkins faced and answered successfully against Pavlik-- is when he does he start to show his age. My guess is, not
Saturday. Jones by TKO in 11."

Robert Cassidy, Newsday: "I like Roy Jones in an 11th-round TKO. Calzaghe does not have the power to keep Jones honest and thus Roy's confidence will grow as the fight progresses. I think by the second half of the fight Jones will be picking him a part. Calzaghe was able to do certain things again Bernard Hopkins because Hopkins didn't have the firepower to slow him down. But Jones does. He has both speed and power. In other fights, Calzaghe has been able to adjust to one of those assets; he won't be able to adjust to both, especially from a fighter like Jones. Calzaghe is a fantastic athlete, with unparalleled conditioning. He's quite a fighter. I just don't think he has the same talent as Jones."

Bernard Hopkins-Former two-division world champion, Fought Joe Calzaghe on April 19, 2008 and lost by split decision and Fought Roy Jones Jr. May 22, 1993 and lost by unanimous decision: "Jones by unanimous decision based on his speed and power."

Ricky Hatton- IBO & Ring Magazine junior welterweight world champion: "Roy has seen better days and I think that Joe will be too fast for Roy. Joe will outbox Roy and win by points. I'm going with Joe."

Lennox Lewis- Former heavyweight champion "Jones has unbelievable speed and Calzaghe's never fought anyone like him. Jones likes it when his opponent comes to him and unfortunately for Calzaghe, that's exactly what he does; comes to his opponent and is right in their face. I pick Jones on points, but I think it'll be a very close fight."

Jeff Lacy-Former IBF super middleweight champion, fought Joe Calzaghe March 4, 2006 and lost by unanimous decision: "It's going to be a hard fight to pick. If Jones doesn't stay on the ropes and give Calzaghe angles and lots of movement I'm going to go with Jones by decision. Roy can't stay on the ropes and give Joe the chance to throw his slapping punches. This is a great fight for Jones to win and setup a big money fight again with Hopkins!"

John Ruiz- Former two-time WBA world heavyweight champion, fought Jones March 1, 2003 and lost by unanimous decision: "I like Calzaghe by decision. He's still a hungry and aggressive fighter. He keeps coming at you. The problem for him is that Jones will run all night. He won't stay still. Calzaghe has to cut off the ring. Calzaghe's a gentleman in and out of the ring. I think Jones saw the fight against Hopkins and was motivated to fight Calzaghe."

Glen Johnson- Former IBF, IBO and Ring Magazine light heavyweight champion, fought Roy Jones September 25, 2004 and won by KO in 9th round: "Roy Jones will win. I believe Calzaghe fights an amateur style. He throws a lot of slappy punches. Roy throws much more meaningful punches. In general, Calzaghe will throw more punches than Roy, but Roy's will be harder hitting. Unless the judges are blind, they will see that the harder punches make Jones the winner. They should see that Roy Jones' hard-hitting punches make the difference."

Oscar De La Hoya, Olympic gold medalist and 10-time world champion: "Calzaghe will beat Jones by a unanimous decision. Joe is going to close the door on Roy's boxing career."

Manny Pacquiao, Ring Magazine pound-for-pound champion: "Calzaghe by decision. Joe is hungrier and a little younger."

Freddie Roach, Trainer: "Calzaghe by decision."

Amir Khan- Commonwealth lightweight champion: "I'm a big fan of Roy Jones, but I have to go with Calzaghe in a great fight."

Chris Mannix-Sports Illustrated "Jones has done an incredible job resurrecting his career, but he hasn't faced a fighter of Calzaghe's caliber (sorry, Anthony Hanshaw fans) since he was slapped around by Antonio Tarver three years ago. Slapping may be the only thing the light hitting Calzaghe will do to Jones, but his superior hand speed will be more than enough to score a unanimous decision."

Colin Hart- THE SUN, London: "Calzaghe should be too young and fresh for Jones who after all is nearly 40. So, I take Calzaghe to get a decision in what I believe will be a dull fight. Beating an ancient Jones will not enhance Calzaghe's reputation. He's already assured of being recognized as one of the greatest fighters in British boxing history."

Dan Rafael- ESPN.com: "Although Calzaghe is the favorite, I think Jones' style and speed -- he's still fast -- are going to give him problems. I think it will be a tough, close fight but I'm going with the upset special. I like Jones to pull it out on a close decision."

Kevin Iole- Yahoo.com: "Calzaghe will win in 12 rounds. If this fight had happened five years ago, it would be a different story. But Jones is a shell of the fighter he used to be and Calzaghe is simply too busy for Jones now. I expect Calzaghe to outwork Jones and pull out a clear decision."

Tim Smith- New York Daily News: "Roy Jones has good power and I think that will offset the volume of punches that Calzaghe throws. Calzaghe has a good chin so I don't see him getting knocked out. I like Jones in a decision."

Nick Parkinson- Daily Star Sunday: "Just like Bernard Hopkins did against Kelly Pavlik, I expect Roy Jones to find some of his old form in his best performance in a few years against Joe Calzaghe. I think Jones will get on his bike, forcing Calzaghe to hunt him down and giving the Welshman some worrying moments with his fast fists on the counter attack. However, I believe Calzaghe is fresher and will land enough leather to edge a split decision, leading to calls for the pair to do it again, in Wales. Calzaghe on points."

Franklin McNeil- Newark Star Ledger: "On paper, Calzaghe should not have much difficulty getting by Jones. Calzaghe is a southpaw, and Jones has had his most difficult outings against non-orthodox fighters. And though each man has quite a few miles on his tires, Jones has logged a bit more. The physical edge goes to Calzaghe, but stylistically Jones' constant movement could prove to be beneficial. If Jones can control the pace, make Calzaghe miss, score with counter shots and his stamina holds up, he will win. Jones wins by decision."

Steve Lillis- Daily Sport: "If Roy Jones was in his prime it would be a no-brainer, but the four weight king gets hit more these days and is too inactive. Joe Calzaghe has to win big because another close fight in America will not go his way. Jones will show him things he has never seen before and I wouldn't be shocked if Calzaghe suffers a flash knockdown before boxing his way to a landslide points win. Calzaghe's legacy is already secure as one of British boxing's greatest in history. Even on his worst nights, Joe has always found a way to win. He is a freak who has always trained at a Spartan gym in Abercarn, never imported sparring partners and quit the only training camp he went to after just six days because he was homesick. For much of his career he has fought with one good hand. After Lennox Lewis he is the best in my 20 years covering the sport."

Peter Higgs- Mail on Sunday, London: "I take Calzaghe to win on points (or possibly with a stoppage in the last four rounds). I think he will have too much speed, strength and work-rate for Jones, whose punch resistance looks suspect despite his impressive win over Felix Trinidad. The victory will leave Calzaghe right up there among the greatest British boxers of all-time. I'm reluctant to say the best because there was a question mark for a long time about the quality of his opposition, but his victories over Lacy, Kessler and Hopkins allow no argument and going 15 years unbeaten in 45 fights is one hell of an achievement."

-- CASSIDY