Jones? Holyfield? Hill? On Possible Legends Card?

Jones, Holyfield, Hill could create legends cardBy Dan Rafael
ESPN.com

Roy Jones Jr., the faded former pound-for-pound king who has lost his last three fights (two by crushing knockout), will return to the ring July 29 to face little known "Prince" Badi Ajamu.

Although that is the only fight on the card that has been announced, there's more.

It is expected to be part of a pay-per-view "legends" card that will also include former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, who is 2-5-1 in his last eight fights, facing club fighter Frank Wood and cruiserweight titlist Virgil Hill defending against Kenny Keene, a 37-year-old former fringe contender who has fought once in three years.

It will be an independent pay-per-view, not on HBO PPV, where Jones and Holyfield fought so many of their biggest fights. HBO was pitched the "legends" card, but passed given its sideshow nature and poor matches.

No site has been selected, but Boise, Idaho, Keene's home state, is a possibility, as are sites in Mexico.

According to Jim Thomas, Jones' adviser, Ritch Danner of Las Vegas-based Sports and Entertainment Media called him originally to inquire about Jones' interest in a rematch with Hill.

"I told him that Roy wanted to concentrate on the light heavyweight or super middleweight division, where he is at his best, and that cruiserweight was not part of Roy's plan," Thomas told ESPN.com. "Ritch called back and said, 'What if I put Evander, Roy and Virgil all on the same card? We started talking and we reached terms quickly and easily. They like the idea of fighting together on the same card."

Holyfield, 43, and Hill, 42, were 1984 Olympic teammates and Holyfield and Jones, who were once close to fighting each other a few years ago, have a friendly relationship. And despite Jones owning a knockout victory against Hill, they have great respect for each other.

Jones (49-4, 38 KOs), who used to earn millions for his fights, is taking a substantial pay cut, Thomas said. But he wouldn't divulge the terms.

"My advice to Roy is to do what is necessary for him to show he is still a great fighter," said Thomas, the former longtime adviser for Holyfield. "The money and venue is the not as important as the platform to show he is a great fighter. Roy is worried about the things that matter -- winning the fight and winning impressively."

Thomas said Jones' main focus eventually is to fight unified super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe, and that he is willing to go down to Calzaghe's division for the fight if he needs to.

"That's who Roy really wants to fight," Thomas said. "But he needs to win this fight first."

Ajamu (25-2-1, 14 KOs), 34, of Camden, N.J., said he was excited to fight a big-name fighter.

"Once the American people see me fight Roy Jones Jr., I have no doubts that I'll be fighting for major world title belts," said Ajamu, who is trained by Buddy McGirt. "I want to do what hasn't been done in my division for a long time, since Roy Jones Jr., and make my mark by bringing all of the major belts back to the United States."

Ajamu's losses were decisions to Otis Grant in 2004 and Rico Hoye in 2003. The draw was in an eight-rounder in 2002 against Anthony Bonsante, the former participant on "The Contender" reality series.

Jones, 37, a former middleweight, super middleweight, lightweight and heavyweight champion, was knocked out in two rounds in a light heavyweight title bout by Antonio Tarver in May 2004 and in nine rounds by Glen Johnson in September 2004. Jones faced Tarver in their third meeting last fall and lost a lopsided decision, after which many called for his retirement.