Roy Jones Jr remains adamant that he will return to the ring at 56-years-old, and has targeted an opponent to make it a reality.
The former pound-for-pound superstar was, many believe, unbeatable in his prime years, winning his first world title at middleweight and going on to eventually beat John Ruiz for a heavyweight belt.
Jones is one of many fighters who has not left the game on top, continuing to fight sporadically throughout the 2010s. Professionally, he was last out against MMA fighter Anthony Pettis in 2023, losing via majority decision.
The Florida native has also had an entertaining exhibition with Mike Tyson, who himself went on to return more competitively against Jake Paul.
Within that space also lies Tommy Fury, the only man to beat Paul so far. The Brit recently made headlines by saying he would accept a bout with Tyson for mega money despite previously criticising the former undisputed heavyweight champion’s contest with Paul.
Jones has now stepped in, via an interview with Slingo, to call on Fury – half brother of Tyson – for a fight.
“He’s calling out Mike Tyson, Jake [Paul] just had a pretty easy night with him, so people might think he [Fury] would have an easy night with [Mike] Tyson. But, if you wanted to make a big splash, you could have come and seen Roy. That would have been a good fight. But if he wants Mike, he wants Mike.
“It’s been rumbling on, I have always been interested in it, it is definitely a fight I would take for sure. If the money was right, but I can’t make them decide they want to fight Roy Jones Jr. The last time we saw [Mike] Tyson he had some difficulties as he wasn’t himself, we haven’t seen Roy Jones not be himself.
Jones then talked up the attraction, comparing it to the late, great comeback of George Foreman. The notable difference, however, is that ‘Big’ George returned to compete at the top level and ultimately become the oldest world heavyweight champion.
“It would attract global attraction. If I came back it would be like when George Foreman and Muhammad Ali came back, because of who they were in their primes. Because of who I was in my prime it would attract global attention. People understand and hear that name, they get excited because they know of the name and what it brought to them, even if they saw a small glimpse of that and didn’t get injured, they would be happy.
“I am a good friend of their family, I have no hatred towards them, but it would be exciting. I know he [Tommy] is looking for a big name and I am a big name, I did a lot for Tyson a few years back that if he got in shape he would beat everybody in the heavyweight decision and he did just that. Maybe some gratitude to come back, hey Roy, lets make a big fight with Tommy.”
Fury returned to the ring last month following hand surgery with a points win over Kenan Hanjalic. He continues to seek out a rematch with Paul.
