Paul Jones (boxer) of the year award". This then placed Jones as number 2 in the WBO rankings. Jones then defended this title twice. Jones was in the form of his life and was unbeaten for more the 3 years. Next up was what he had been waiting for; a shot at the champion. Jones went into the fight the heavy underdog but surprised the boxing world by dominated the fight capturing the WBO Light Middleweight Title in 1995 with a majority decision win over Future IBF Light Middle Weight Champ and future IBHOF Champion Verno Phillips. With the win, Jones became the
Joe Calzaghe his title, and then retired. After Collins retired, a fight against British boxing legend Chris Eubank was quickly set up for the vacant WBO title on 11 October 1997, in Sheffield. Calzaghe emerged victorious over the two-time WBO champion, knocking the granite chinned Eubank down in the opening seconds and claiming a unanimous points win. The judges scored the contest 118–110, 118–109, and 116–111 in favour of Calzaghe. Eubank said of Calzaghe in a 2006 interview that: "Joe is the proper article, a true warrior." Calzaghe conceded that Eubank, even in his comeback, gave him the toughest fight of his