Roy Jones vs. Anthony Hanshaw Boxing Showdown Heats Up

It took him three press conferences to get there but undefeated boxer Anthony “Tyger” Hanshaw has started growling at his July 14 PPV TV opponent, boxing legend Roy Jones Jr.

Murad Muhammad, whose Murad Productions is co-promoting the Biloxi, Ms., fight with Square Ring in association with IP Casino-Resort-Spa, has on Tuesday accused Hanshaw, who is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, of singing “a lullalby” to the 38-year-old Jones.

Muhammad said Hanshaw was soft-soaping his attitude and his chances for victory in the crossroads fight.

That was in Mississippi. Maybe he felt more comfortable at Wednesday’s Chicago presser held at the popular Tavern On Rush, much closer to his Warren, Ohio, home, but the 21-0-1, 14 KOs Hanshaw stood a couple of feet away from Jones and predicted doom for the former middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight champion.

Hanshaw said fight fans should pay the affordable $29.95 price on July because it will be the final fight in Jones’ storied career.

There was no candy, no nuts, no ifs and no buts as Hanshaw got verbally aggressive.

“I will retire the great Roy Jones on July 14,” Hanshaw said in a sidewalk video interview. “Whether you love or hate Roy Jones, you need to watch us on July 14 because I will put him out of business as a fighter. No doubt, I will beat Jones and he will never fight again.” Jones, whose record is a sparkling 50-4 with 38 KOs, said Hanshaw’s sudden tough talk made him glad.

“I did not pick this opponent because I thought he was easy,” Jones said. “I picked him because he is a threat. This is the kind of challenge that I love. Now he is talking big but he has to back it up in the ring on July 14. That’s why the boxing public should come to the Mississippi Coast Coliseum or watch it on PPV TV.

“This is that kind of fight, this is do it or drop,” Jones said. “He’s coming to win, I know, but I have to win. I have to show the world that I am still the pound for pound king, the only fighter who throws and lands six and seven punch combinations. I didn’t see anything like that from De La Hoya or Mayweather, did you? I think it’s great that Anthony is talking bold and strong. The question is, though, does he believe what he is saying?”

Muhammad was astounded by the reversal in form by Hanshaw.

“Only yesterday in Biloxi, I said Tony The Tyger was just playing the violin, saying nice things about Roy to lull Roy to sleep. I thought it was dull but smart because you don’t want to rattle the lion’s cage even if you are a tiger like Tony.”

Jones and Hanshaw will hold a press conference next week in Los Angeles and then rush back to their training camps for the final grueling weeks of preparation. Hanshaw is now training under the direction of the controversial but highly successful Floyd Mayweather Sr.

“He’s Baack! Witness The Return Of a King: Jones-Hanshaw” is a scheduled 12-round bout which will be on top of a packed undercard. The PPV TV will be distributed by In Demand and produced by Madison Square Garden Network.

Muhammad had previously announced Tuesday that “70 percent” of the tickets at the Coliseum have been sold. Prices range from $500, $300, $100, $75 and $30. Tickets went on sale June 2 and may be purchased through TicketMaster.