Roy Jones Jr is one of the best fighters to have ever laced up boxing gloves. He admits he would do so again for the right opponent.
Once a pound-for-pound great, Jones is now in his mid-50s and has not fought since drawing an exhibition match with Mike Tyson in 2020.
Before that, during his prime, the former Olympic silver medalist became a world champion in four different weight classes from middleweight all the way up to heavyweight. He remains a popular pundit in the US and has even worked as a trainer with the likes of Chris Eubank Jr.
Speaking to Covers, Jones said he is open to fighting Paul hismelf but that the one fight he holds above all else would be against UFC legend Anderson Silva.
“The fight that really started this crossover boxing, even before Conor McGregor got involved in it, the first fight that was on the horizon that we said would be a big event would be Roy Jones versus Anderson Silva and I’m never going to back away from that and say that’s not one of the biggest events that could happen today.”
Silva has boxed on five occasions, beating former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr but losing to Paul. At 49, it would be a much more acceptable exhibition.
Jones – whose pro record sits at 66 wins from 76 fights with 47 wins via stoppage – also says he is open to facing Tommy Fury as well as Paul. Despite his status in the sport, he admits it wouldn’t be easy.
“Anytime you go in there with these young guys, they’re young, strong, and athletic. I don’t have the legs and the defence I used to have, so you’ve got to be kind of smart about how you do it.
“These guys are looking for one shot to take you out because they know the older you get, the less you’re able to take a big shot. So they’re trying to get you out in one shot, and you’ve got to be very cognisant of that and prepared.”
Jones had previously been in discussions to fight Fury around a year ago, but nothing materialised and Fury has since been out of action recovering from hand surgery.He recently pulled out of a fight with Darren Till due to threats of violence.
