By Mark Vester

To prepare for his November 8 bout with Roy Jones Jr., Joe Calzaghe has been sparring with close friend and former WBO cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli. Both are trained by Joe's father, Enzo Calzaghe. Macca says the action is good, but the two of them never get mad during any of their sparring routines. He says Calzaghe is in top shape right now.

“It never gets heated in the ring but neither one of us lets the other one take the mickey,” Maccarinelli told the South Wales Echo. “That means it’s always top-quality, big-intensity preparation for him. We have done plenty of rounds together already and Joe is in fantastic shape."

“This is the fight he has always wanted and he wants to make the most of it. I’m probably one of the best people for him to spar with as well. We are very close and I know how to push him.”

Macca says that he is still scheduled to face Jonathan Banks at some point for the vacant WBO cruiserweight title. It's been over eight months since Macca last fought. He wants to redeem himself for the two-round knockout loss to David Haye back in March.

“People will talk about ring rust when I get back in the ring,” Macca said. “But I haven’t been out of the gym and now I’m sparring with someone like Joe. So I’m ready to go, all I need is a date and a venue. As soon as that comes along, someone is getting knocked out.”

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