Jones talks up Calzaghe date

After producing a truly superlative performance to outclass Sheffield's Clinton Woods and retain the world light- heavyweight title, Roy Jones threw down the gauntlet to Joe Calzaghe, one of only two British boxers who can legitimately say they are genuine world champions.

Jones, who stopped Woods in the sixth round at the Portland Rose Garden in front of a Saturday-night crowd of more than 15,000, warned Calzaghe: "Now you have seen again what I can do and if you want it, I have got another beating waiting right here for you."

He added ominously: "I know all about Calzaghe. He can come here or I will go to Wales. It doesn't matter where it happens, the result would be the same. Just put up the money and you can have Calzaghe against Roy Jones."

Whether or not Calzaghe, generally regarded as the world's No1 in the 12st super-middleweight division, would fancy the job after seeing this ruthless demolition of Woods is another matter. Jones was magnificent.

Woods, 30, did not seem overawed, at least not until blinding flurries of punches began to detonate on all parts of his body, and he even enjoyed some success in the first two rounds as he advanced on the champion, throwing several solid hooks into Jones's ribs.

But the yawning gulf between the two fighters became ever more apparent the further the contest went, as Jones landed an endless succession of breathtaking combinations, often thrown from the craziest of angles with a hand speed which may not have been seen since Sugar Ray Leonard was in his prime some 20 years ago.

"I knew he was good, but not that good," a bruised Woods said afterwards. "I am deeply disappointed though, because I had no nerves beforehand and I was confident. For the first two rounds I was doing really well, and I felt as though I belonged there. I always felt I could fight for a world title but, unfortunately for me, I fought the best fighter on the planet. I did not feel I did myself justice."

In the end, Woods should be grateful that his trainer Ian Alcock and manager Dennis Hobson pulled him out of the fight after Jones had connected with 21 of the last 26 punches he threw as Woods failed to land a single blow in reply.

The point at which blind bravery could have caused serious injury was approaching rapidly, and Jones was also happy his opponent was withdrawn before lasting damage could be done.

"He had a big heart, but they were right to stop it because nobody wants to see a man badly hurt. He had come here to win the title, which is why I spent 10 weeks training so I would be ready.

"He was proud, and you have to understand it takes a lot to get in the ring with me. This ain't football. You go wrong, and it hurts."

For Woods, it was only the second defeat of his professional career and his standing should not be damaged. He can take consolation from the fact his early aggression forced Jones to compete with such rare panache.

But the manner of Jones's victory, in his 22nd world championship contest, illustrated the massive gap between the European title level where Woods prospers and the rarefied atmosphere of the world frequented by Jones.

There are those that say Jones should fight the undefeated World Boxing Organisation champion Darius Michalczewski of Germany. But he seems pedestrian when compared with Jones, who still holds the belt of all three major sanctioning bodies.

"I get fed up hearing his name," said Jones. "I am the number one and he know where I am. There are planes from Germany to America, and it is not too difficult for him to make the journey over here. If he really believes he can beat me, I am ready. But he does not want to know."

The truth of the situation is that, at the age of 33, Jones remains so far ahead of the rest of the world in terms of his ability that almost any fight would have the air of an exhibition.