Quote Originally Posted by bilbo
Manfredo vs Jones Jr is a terrible no win fight for both fighters.

If Roy even takes the fight he opens himself up to embarrasement for taking on the 'loser' of a TV reality show. Let's remember that Manfreo didn't even win the show, he got beat 3 TIMES!!!

Taking this fight from Jone's point of view is far worse than Larry Holmes fighting Butterbean.

For Manfredo he has still to build up real credibility amongst fight fans. His last two fights have been impressive but his legitimacy as a world class fighter is still very much under scrutiny.

If he were to beat Jones Jr, I really can't see boxing opinion shifting in his favour. If anything his popularity would be diminished, a reality star cashing in on his 15 minutes of fame by fighting a former, faded legend.

His victory would be seen in the same light as Trevor Berbick's over the great Ali.

For the reasons above I really hope this fight doesn't happen. Ironically if it did it could turn out to be very competative, maybe even a 50/50 fight but come on, do we have to see a fight just because it's close. I mean Audley Harrison vs Henry Cooper now would probably be a pick em fight but I don't think it would do either fighter's image much good.

Ok, so I was kidding about the last part, no way Audley even goes 12 rounds with Cooper but you get my point
I think it's more of a winning situation for Manfredo, but I agree, it's not the best fight for him. It is OK for him for a couple of reasons. First of all, he'll get HUGE payday, maybe the biggest he will ever make. Why not cash in while you can? If he loses, it's still to Roy Jones. If he wins, he beat Roy Jones, albeit an old one. Jones isn't THAT old. He's got more gas left in the tank than Ali had when he fought Berbick, and it's much more of a serious fight than Holmes v Butterbean. Manfredo will get alot of credit.

Unfortunately for Jones, he gets no credit for winning and he's done if he loses. I can't image why he would give Manfredo this fight. Maybe he likes the fight because he's scared to get him, and if he gets hit by a real LH, he's gone. Despite the seeming power increase for Manfredo since moving to SMW, he does hit like Woods or Tarver. Still, what does he gain? He must see it a tune up fight, a high profile tune up. To me, it's too dangerous for him to use Manfredo as a tune up.