Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr has left the door open for a return to the ring in 2025.
The 56-year-old four-division world champion is often regarded as one of the greatest fighters in boxing history, despite receiving criticism for continuing his career well into his late 40’s and early 50’s.
Jones’ last professional outing came in April 2023 against MMA legend Anthony Pettis, suffering a majority decision defeat against ‘Showtime’ in their bout at the Fiserv Forum in Wisconsin.
Since then, the 56-year-old has continued to fuel speculation that he could actually make a return to the ring despite numerous calls from fans and pundits to call time on his glittering career, which began shortly after he captured a silver medal in the 1988 Olympic games in Seoul.
In an interview with Forbes, Jones revealed his interest in facing YouTube sensation turned professional fighter Jake Paul, claiming he would beat the 28-year-old who has been the subject of a number of controversies since his debut in 2020.
“I’d beat him. I’m sure. I haven’t had any conversations about fighting Jake Paul, I am not really a full-fledged heavyweight, but I weigh probably what he weighs right now. It wouldn’t be hard to match his weight, I guess. The only thing different though is he will probably have to take me out because I’m coming to knock him out. I’m going to get him, or he’s going to get me.”
Paul’s most recent outing came against heavyweight legend Mike Tyson last November, defeating the 58-year-old over 8-rounds at the AT&T Stadium in Texas. The 28-year-old received criticism for going ahead with a bout against the former world heavyweight champion, who was quite visibly a shadow of his former self having not fought as a professional since he was beaten by Kevin McBride in 2005.
