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On July 14, Roy Jones Jr, 50-4 (38), continues his comeback trail against undefeated Anthony “Tyger” Hanshaw, 21-0-1 (14), in a light heavyweight bout that is scheduled to take place at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. Jones, coming off a mediocre win against lightly regarded Prince Badi Ajamu almost a year ago to the day, feels that he still has something left to offer.
The general consensus is that Jones is headed toward disaster, yet he remains ranked as high as sixth in the world. With the light heavyweight division somewhat in limbo and Bernard Hopkins, a man Jones beat as a middleweight way back in 1993, still being considered the number one man in that division, it is hard for the former four division champion to even debate walking away at any point soon.
On the other side you have Anthony Hanshaw, an undefeated super mddleweight, who, despite the big 0 in the loss column, is looking to make his name a common one among boxing enthusiasts. In Hanshaw’s last outing, he felt the closest thing to defeat so far as a professional fighter when Anthony fought another undefeated up and comer, Jean Paul Mendy for the vacant IBO belt.
So what better way to redeem himself as a top prospect? Fight a big name and win. Hanshaw can not just win though, he must win convincingly against the aging former champion if he wants to gain the notoriety that he seeks. A loss could set him back to the point of almost starting over and starting over is not something a 29 year old fighter wants to do.
I sat in on a press conference today to listen in on what both fighters had to say on their predictions for this fight, who each of them want next and why they decided to face each other. With questions flying through the air like Fourth of July rockets, I even had a chance to add a few of my own. Here is what they had to say.
Boxing Press: Roy, how do you feel? Are you ready for Hanshaw?
Roy Jones Junior: I feel great. I told everyone I would be back! I am looking forward to this fight. I am in shape and I know Anthony is in shape as well. I am sure he is in the best shape of his life. This is the biggest fight of his life and he will come in ready, but I am going to knock him out!
BP: Anthony, how do you feel? Many guys are picking you to beat Jones with no effort. Stevie Wonder said on his radio show you would KO Jones by the sixth round; what do you have to say?
Anthony Hanshaw: I am anxious and ready to fight. I am in the best shape of my life. I want to step in the ring and fight. I am going to knock out Roy in less then six rounds!
BP: Roy, what is your motivation for this fight? What do you have to prove?
RJJ: My love of the sport is my motivation. I want to put on a show for the fans. I want to prove Roy is still here and among the best in the world. This is boxing. This is what I do and I do it the best.
BP: Anthony, what are your plans after fighting Roy? If you win, are going to stay at light heavyweight?
AH: I am a super middleweight. After this fight, I will drop back down and continue to climb the ladder there. I see a lot of big fights coming atop that division. Hopefully, Jermain Taylor and Kelly Pavlik will be moving up to that weight soon. I don’t see them staying at middleweight for much longer.
BP: Why Taylor and Pavlik? What about the champions at 168?
AH: I intend on fighting the champions at 168. Calzaghe or any of the other belt holders who are willing. Super middleweight is where I belong. I have unfinished business with Taylor and Pavlik. I have business with Jermain from the Olympic trials. We faced off 2 weeks after my father had passed away and [Taylor] still feels to this day he is a better fighter then me.
At the time my mind was not right. If things were different, I would have won that fight but my Father was on my mind the most. Taylor couldn’t let it go at that. As for Pavlik, I beat him then and he keeps complaining the only reason he lost is because he was too young at the time. Well the time is now. I will fight and beat both if them once they move up and I will settle unfinished business. Pavlik is undefeated right now but his time will come.
SaddoBoxing: Anthony, since you are naturally a super middleweight and both Taylor and Pavlik are at 160, is there a chance that you might drop down for a fight or two, as you had admitted there is unfinished business between the three of you? With Kelly being the WBC mandatory, a fight and win over one could lead directly to a fight with the other. A win-win for you all around if played out right.
AH: I am in no rush. Eventually they both have to move up. Pavlik is 6’2” tall, he can’s maintain 160 for too long. When he does come up to 168, I’ll address him then and prove who the better fighter is. I am not going to kill myself trying to make 160. When either move up, I am right here.
BP: Roy, what about talks of Tito Trinidad returning and his father targeting you as the opponent he will return against? How do you feel about the possibility of a showdown between the two of you?
RJJ: I love it! I am looking forward to it actually. Don’t get me wrong, I am not looking past anyone or am I taking Anthony lightly. I have business to take care of here first. A fight between me and Trinidad should have happened long ago. If the fight does come off ,Felix Trinidad is getting knocked out!
SaddoBoxing: Roy, Hanshaw is a super middleweight; you are winding down a long, storied career. Currently, I believe boxrec has you ranked number six at light heavyweight. If you were going to fight a super middleweight, why not Calzaghe or one of the other top guys there? Why not one of the champions at 175? Where you are in line for a shot at a title?
RJJ: None of the champions were answering my calls. I challenged every fighter with a belt in my division. Nobody returned my calls. Calzaghe was contacted by my promotion team. We tried to meet every fair demand to make that fight happen. Calzaghe does not want to fight me. He turned it down. So, since he wont fight me then Hanshaw was willing, so we signed the fight. What am I going to do? I can’t make these guys fight me. Hopkins opted to fight Wright instead of me. Anthony is willing and I am giving him the chance.
Murad Muhammad: This is going to be a fight. Boxing is hurting for good fights right now. Big fights are the reason boxing is in decline right now. They said Roy Jones was not a top fighter anymore. He proved that [wrong] in his last fight. Anthony Hanshaw is undefeated and looking for big names. If Roy was not ready, or hadn’t proved he was still able, I would not of allowed this fight.
I don’t know about other guys out there, but I look out for my fighter’s health and best interest first. I am in this business to make money but not at the expense of anyone. I like cash money, not cab money. I don’t make a dollar and run. This is a real fight and when these two men meet on July 14, you will see what boxing needs. You will see what Roy Jones has left and that he is back ready to be on top again!
