Roy Jones to fight Slice in Jamaica
ROY ‘Superman’ Jones Jnr, the only boxer to start his career in the light middleweight division and go on to win a heavyweight title, will fight in Jamaica for the first time when he takes on Kimbo ‘Streetfighter’ Slice later this year.
However, the enigmatic Jones has so much respect and adoration for the Caribbean island and its people that he wants to leave more than just the memory of his fight and is hoping to start a boxing legacy.
Jones, who has won titles in three different weight classes, said since he has been here he has realised how good the Jamaican boxers are and he is motivated to assist them in taking their places on the world stage.
“As I got here I realised that there were a lot of good boxers here but no vehicle to help take them to the top,” Jones told the Jamaica Observer at the launch of his latest fight at the Spanish Court Hotel last week.
“If I can help provide them with a vehicle that can help make the next champion from Jamaica, why not?” he reasoned.
Jones says like many Jamaicans, he comes from a poor background and understands how difficult it is to reach the top, especially without help.
“I always try to help the small guy, that is why I moved up to the heavyweight because I wanted to prove that not because your small means you can’t do whatever it is you want to do,” he said.
“I was the first guy to fight professionally as a junior middleweight and win the heavyweight title because through God all things are possible, and that’s what I stand for,” he stated.
“I came from a small place that people say that I couldn’t make it, but I told them I would make it and not only will I make it, but I will be the best when I make it, and I did.
“And that reminded me of me when I came here and heard the guys talk and they want to be somebody but because they are from a small island people don’t respect them as much as far as boxing goes,” he added.
“I will try to promote some of these boxers to help them get better chances and try to make champions of them,” he added.
The 43-year-old Jones said he will be doing some work at the Boys’ Town Gym with the hope of establishing something permanent in the future.
“I will go there with an open mind and see what happens… but I love the Jamaican people and their culture and want to thank them for having me and I’m looking forward to help Jamaica in any way that I possibly can,” he said.
Meanwhile, due to a misunderstanding over copyright issues, fight promoters Gio-Max announced that the title of the fight, ‘Beauty and the Beast’, has not been finalised and is likely to be changed at a later date.
They also announced that Lewis Hanna is a United Statesbased attorney who is representing Gio-Max and Stewart’s Motors, and is not the owner of the Pay-Per-View boxing entity.