Joe won massively. It was 11 rounds to 1 on the scorecards of all three judges but what a scare with that lost round as Joe was put down and in trouble in the second minute of the fight and had to use his instincts to survive that round.
From then on however, it was one way traffic as Joe unloaded and Jones was only able to respond with single shots but they were each dangerous. It did seem for a while that Joe's only problem was himself as he was complacent at times and guilty of showboating as he trapped Jones Jr. on the ropes, unloaded a small barrage but stepped back to admire his work instead of being ruthless and efficient. Dropping his hands down was worrying too but he got away with it, how embarrassing it could have been had he got tagged again.
The defining moment of the fight came in Round 7 as Joe caught Jones Jr. with a straight right giving him a severe cut for the first time in his career and the contest was never really in doubt after that as Jones struggled with his cut that just never stopped bleeding, an eye that eventually closed and tiredness as the combo of Joe's work and movement and Father Time caught up with him.
I wish Joe finished Jones off as he certainly seemed to be there for the taking. Jones cut was so severe - to the extent that 3 rounds started late while they continued to work on him - that nobody could have complained if it was stopped and, perhaps, it should have been. However Joe doesn't seem able to put opponents away anymore and for the 6th time in 7 contests, it was the judges who decided it, not that they had any decision to make.
Joe's legacy is assured but, as many suspected, after talking about this being his last fight all week, Joe announced he wanted to have a think. His performance was very impressive and I'm sure pressure will now build for him to fight again and finish at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium but, in truth, there is really nobody left for him to fight and nothing more for him to prove.
You're a true legend Joe Calzaghe.
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