Roy Jones Jr. speaking in Big Bear, Calif. in late December (Photo: Chris Robinson – www.HustleBoss.com)
By Chris Robinson
While up in Big Bear, Calif. recently, I was able to have many conversations with the great Roy Jones Jr., who was in camp assisting his friend Jean Pascal ahead of his HBO showdown with Lucian Bute two weekends from now.
When the topic of Floyd Mayweather came up, Jones instantly paid his respect to the Grand Rapids native as the best in the game today.
“In boxing today he’s the best,” Jones said without hesitation. “He’s the best marketing-wise. The best skill-wise right now. He’s just the best out there right now. And none of these guys are really equipped with enough tools to really give him problems.”
Jones did mention Mayweather’s rival Manny Pacquiao as perhaps one man who could possibly test him but is keen enough to sense that such a match likely won’t occur anytime soon.
“Expect maybe Pacquiao and that fight aint really happening,” Jones stated. “One or two other guys who could make it interesting.”
If Mayweather does end up facing off with British star Amir Khan this coming May as has been suspected, Jones doesn’t see it being as easy of a fight as many as expecting.
“It’s a good match for him,” Jones explained. “People don’t think so, but people don’t know that Amir Khan, when he’s a boxer, he’s a very good fighter. Amir Khan the slugger is no good, because his chin is a little bit suspect. But as a boxer, Amir Khan can give anybody problems.”
“And if he gets his old self back together and boxes, it will be an interesting fight because he’s tall enough, rangy enough to make it hard for Floyd to get to him,” Jones added. “Floyd is a better boxer of course, and probably a better puncher, but this kid has a big heart and this kid will make it interesting if he comes in with the right training method and comes in and tries to win.”
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Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com