During election week in New York City, he was top of the bill. Yet only the passionate and educated fight fan in the Big Apple had an appreciation for the undefeated king of the ring, Joe Calzaghe.

New Yorkers were more likely to respond “Joe the Plumber” than “Joe Calzaghe” when asked about a famous Joe in the United States that week.

For Calzaghe, it was an ambition fulfilled.

The main event at the world famous Madison Square Garden and against a legend in the fight game.

Victory, a convincing one at that over Roy Jones Jnr, once recognised as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, saw his unbeaten record stretch to 46.

But did anyone in this sports mad city notice?

Sure, there were 14,500 people in MSG, but it was far from a sell-out.

The top deck in the grand arena wasn’t even open.

In the lead up to the fight, the New York Times carried only single column previews, in contrast to their double page spreads on the Giants, Jets, Knicks, Rangers and Islanders.

This was simply another attraction in a city that long ago overdosed on sport and can provide entertainment 24/7.

Las Vegas it appears is now the fight capital of the United States.

Calzaghe v Jones Jnr was a passing New York thought.

Even the VIP section was bereft of celebrities.

Welsh beauty Catherine Zeta Jones and hubby Michael Douglas were in Joe’s corner along with Wayne Rooney’s missus Coleen.

Comedian Ricky Gervais was in attendance, however all the Americans had to offer was little Danny Devito.

Calzaghe, it is clear, does not have Stateside appeal — despite huge interest from network HBO.

Blink and you’d have missed the few bill boards that were dotted around the subway stations in Manhattan promoting the fight.

Calzaghe would have been oblivious to the apparent lack of interest on the sidewalks of New York.

And this would have allowed him to concentrate fully on keeping his end of the bargain.

While it was not an epic bout and probably just made Calzaghe’s top five career fights, he promised to entertain and that’s exactly what he did.

The Newport star has never been the most flamboyant performer in the ring or even charismatic.

But after picking himself up from a shock first round knock down, Calzaghe controlled the fight and even had the audacity to goad the once lethal Jones Jnr with his lack of defence, cocky walk and cheeky “in your face” expressions.

It was reminiscent of Prince Naseem Hamed in his showboating prime.

Calzaghe admitted afterwards he was just having “fun” and indeed if this fight wasn’t at the end of his illustrious career he would have attracted a whole new fanbase.

As it is, Calzaghe is currently contemplating his future and deciding whether he has one last fight left in him or indeed does he want to risk his prized unbeaten record — especially against a tricky customer in the shape of Brooklyn Light Heavyweight Chad Dawson.

The cold shoulder he received in New York may persuade him to return home for one final performance in front of his fanatical support at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

But is it worth it? I think not.

Going out at the once mecca of professional boxing Madison Square Garden, especially after conquering the great Bernard Hopkins in Las Vegas earlier in the year, is the perfect fairytale ending for Calzaghe.

Not many fighters get that opportunity.

It New York’s loss for not having been witness to it.