"Ya'll must have forgot." Roy Jones, Jr., formerly the greatest boxer in the world loves thumping his chest and saying those words. Yet the only people who seem to have forgotten are Jones, himself as well the plethora of boxers and writers carelessly picking him to defeat Joe Calzaghe in their 175 pound match this Saturday night at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

You see, when Jones was dominating nearly every round of every match he fought during the 1990s and early 2000s everyone in the boxing world knew he was great. But when Jones was brutally KO'd by Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson in subsequent 2004 bouts, it was obvious he was no longer the same boxer. His lighting fast reflexes, key to his decade long domination, were not what they once were, and he paid dearly. But despite showing major chinks in his previously impregnable armor, we still believed the great Roy Jones, Jr. we’d grown up on would again show his face. Sadly, he never has and never will again.

Jones first chance at redemption came immediately after his two losses when he got a rematch with Tarver in 2005, the third time the two would meet. After promising that he was back, Jones proved emphatically that he was not by failing to engage Tarver in any round save the fifth. While Jones was indeed excellent in that round showing the speed, power, and the determination that made him one of boxing’s all-time greats, unfortunately neither his heart nor his reflexes were to be found in any other round. Even late in the fight when Tarver was running out of steam, Jones refused to engage. It was a horrible display by Jones and one that immediately led me to declare buying that pay-per-view one of the worst monetary decisions of my life. Not only was I ashamed for paying the money and picking Jones to win, but I was determined to never be fooled again into thinking the Roy Jones, Jr. of old would ever return again.

Fast forward to November 8, 2008. It is the morning of another Roy Jones, Jr. pay-per-view. This time, however, his opponent isn’t the decent though hardly great Antonio Tarver, but rather, the greatest super middleweight ever, Wales’ Joe Calzaghe. Again, Jones is thumping his chest and spouting his catch phrase, “Ya’ll must have forgot.” Only this time, instead of believing his rhetoric, we must sadly remind him, “No, Roy, we haven’t.”

Jones will be 39 years old on fight night. Calzaghe will be 36. In boxing, age can often be the bell weather of a fighter’s effectiveness. Sometimes, however, as Bernard Hopkins clearly proved in trouncing the much younger Kelly Pavlik last month, age needn’t always determine the victor. Age takes its toll on fighters both mentally and physically but sometimes determination and the ability to alter one’s style can keep a boxer on top of the world. In the case of Jones, Jr., age has made him much worse for wear while his Welsh counterpart has adapted brilliantly. Where Roy sits on the ropes, wings one shot at a time, and takes rounds completely off in order to recuperate, Joe shortens his punches, uses angles to get inside, and uses distance to thwart his opponent’s offensive inclinations.

When I consider tonight’s fight I am realistic about Jones’ chances of victory. I remember his greatness in the ‘90s and early 2000s when he fought with his hands at his sides while daring his opponents to try and make contact (they rarely did), but I also recall his heartbreaking KO losses to Tarver and Johnson as well his ill-conceived and heartless performance in his third fight with Tarver. I also call to mind his mediocre 2006 and 2007 victories over hand-picked opponents Prince Badi Ajamu and Anthony Hanshaw that showed in no uncertain terms that the lightning fast Roy was no more. Then there’s his latest “conquest” over bloated former 147 pound champion Felix Trinidad whom he decisioned over 12 rounds earlier this year in a 170 pound bout. That fight, like the others in his “comeback,” proved absolutely nothing. I’ve watched each of those “comeback” bouts and at no time did Jones throw enough punches, show enough speed and determination, or display enough courage and ring generalship to remind me of either Jones the greatest of all-time or someone capable of beating the relentless Joe Calzaghe.

Still, despite all the evidence to the contrary, there are many who are predicting Jones will beat Calzaghe. Some on that list include great fighters James Toney, Glen Johnson, Bernard Hopkins, Lennox Lewis, Vernon Forrest, Winky Wright as well ESPN boxing columnist Dan Rafael*. Clearly they are buying the “Jones is back” hype. Clearly, they all must have forgot.

Let’s be honest: Roy will run but his legs will show their age quickly. Calzaghe will cut off the ring, catch him in the corner, and dismantle him with a tremendous accumulation of punches. Jones will potshot, as is his current style, but combinations will be nonexistent. His peek-a-boo and rope-a-dope defense will attempt to stem the tide but it will only be a matter of time before Calzaghe’s breadth of angles and relentless attack drop Jones to the canvas; and mark my words, Jones will kiss the canvas in this bout.

My prediction: Joe Calzaghe by TKO in the 10th when Calzaghe knocks Jones down and Jones’ corner throws in the towel.

Roy Jones, Jr. was a great fighter but he is no longer what he once was or the fighter we hope he can be again. Joe Calzaghe, on the other hand, continues to prove himself the best boxer on the planet. Quite simply, this match will be a blow out, the crowning jewel on Calzaghe’s amazing undefeated career, and the end of our fantastical wishes for a Jones, Jr. return to form.

* Boxer and Media Predictions courtesy of HBO.com