Las Vegas (Oct 24, 2008) – Hall of Fame artist Richard T. Slone has created his pre-fight depiction of boxing champion Joe Calzaghe engaged in full combat with Roy Jones Jr. just weeks before their epic battle at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Bold and vibrantly painted, the new painting displays the emotions of two modern day gladiators, punches being thrown with bad intentions as these two boxing icons battle it out in a historic event. The energetic lines with splashes and drips make up the ferociousness of this painting which serves as a clear reminder why Slone has become one of the world’s premier young artists.
It’s all on the line and these warriors fight with their entire souls. Art fans are brought deep inside the ring with Slone’s latest masterpiece, simply titled ‘Superfight: Calzaghe-Jones’.
Slone, the Official artist of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, has envisioned the fight and rendered it in superb colors and true likeness before this championship fight is set to take place Saturday, November 8th at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
34 year old Slone, a former boxer guided by legend Smokin’ Joe Frazier, has become one of the world’s premier artists, largely focusing on sports art. In boxing, his work often graces the program covers for boxing’s elite events and publications, including the upcoming issue of Ring Magazine (Oscar delaHoya vs. Manny Pacquiao painting on cover).
“Calzaghe and Jones is gonna be a modern day classic, these guys can fight !” said Slone, “ They have waited years to fight each other, Calzaghe has remained unbeaten and Jones has been on a roll, he’s very very hungry. It has all the ingredients of a classic and where better than Madison Square Garden?”
Slone’s original painting is currently on display at the Memorabilia Museum at the Mandalay Bay Casino and Resort in Las Vegas. Slone has a permanent exhibit at the Museum where many of his originals and prints are sold. More details are available at www.sloneart.com.
Slone’s art has become a staple at high profile events around the globe. Collectors of his art range from celebrity clients and high-roller gamblers, to college kids who collect Slone designed apparel. Slone is best known for his vividly colored images that capture detailed expression and motion, the kinetic captured in his work has brought critical acclaim. Considered to be a leader in the new generation of sports artists, Slone follows a long tradition of artist’s who have painting boxing such as George Bellows, Thomas Eakins and in more recent decades, LeRoy Neiman. Owners of his originals include Donald Trump, Nelson Mandela, Hugh Hefner and Muhammad Ali. He is the official artist of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, an official artist of the UFC and at only 34 years of age is one of the most accomplished emerging artist’s in the world. Earlier this year the National Geographic came to an agreement to publish his work over the next ten years. He is nominated for Sports Artist of the Year 2009.