Roy Jones Jr. disappointed that matchup with UFC star is off

BY TIM SMITH
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Tuesday, April 8th 2008, 4:00 AM

Roy Jones, Jr. said he was minding his own business, waiting for something to shake loose in the light heavyweight division, when someone called him and told him that he was being called out by Anderson Silva, one of the stars from the UFC.

Jones was told that Silva had challenged Jones to a boxing match. Jones said he made contact with Silva and his manager two weeks ago and they were moving forward with a deal for a fight at 180-188 pounds. Jones said Dana White, UFC President, stepped in and stopped the fight.

Jones said he was told that White stopped the match because he didn't want to embarrass the UFC if Jones were to KO Silva in the first round of a boxing match.

"I don't see how it could discredit the UFC," Jones said. "The guy has boxed before and he's a tall, slick, left handed fighter. That gives everybody problems. It would be a good fight. As fighters we're supposed to be trying to do things that amaze people and make history. This could have been something that people really wanted to see.

"I just think it's wrong not to allow him (Silva) to get the opportunity to live out his fantasy to be in the ring with one of his heroes. That's the kind of thing that boxing promoters usually do."

White did not return an email message seeking comment on why he would not allow Silva to box Jones.

"I think it's unfortunate," said John Wirt, a partner with Jones in his Square Ring Promotions company. "It could have been a good fight. It could have been a major draw for boxing and the MMA world."

While Jones thought a boxing match with Silva would be a good idea, it points to the fundamental differences in the two sports. From a business standpoint, the UFC participants are signed to exclusive promotional deals with the UFC. They don't even fight other mixed martial arts fighters outside of the UFC. Boxers are signed to different promoters, but they don't just have to fight boxers signed to their promoters. The sanctioning organizations mandate that championships have to be defended, no matter who promotes a boxer. The UFC sanctions its own championship matches as well as promotes them.

Silva (21-4 in MMA) has boxed before, going 1-1. But the 32-year-old Brazilian is noted as one of the best mixed martial arts fighters in the sport and is 6-0 in the UFC. Jones, 39, a former middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight champion, said there was no way that he is going to try competing in mixed martial arts.

"If I had a high school wrestling background, I'd be willing to try that stuff (mixed martial arts)," Jones said. "But I'm lost on the ground."

"He's got a lot of heart and I have nothing but respect for him for wanting to take on the best in boxing."

Jones said he is moving on. He said he will await the winners of the light heavyweight title matches between IBF champ Clinton Woods and Antonio Tarver and WBC champ Chad Dawson and Glen Johnson that are happening this weekend in Tampa, and the light heavyweight match between Bernard Hopkins and Joe Calzaghe on April 19.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2008/04/08/2008-04-08_roy_jones_jr_disappointed_that_matchup_w.html

Would be a tough match-up for Anderson Silva, but no surprise Dana pooh-poohed it!

Decent remarks from RJJ, always thought he was a tool too.

Yep. I have to admit he actually sounded alright.



"If I had a high school wrestling background, I'd be willing to try that stuff (mixed martial arts)," Jones said. "But I'm lost on the ground."

"He's got a lot of heart and I have nothing but respect for him for wanting to take on the best in boxing."
Finally a boxer that knows where he stands.

He still an ass for ducking Bernard until they are both in the twilight of their careers.

Dana did the right thing by nixing it. The ass whipping Jones would've given Silva would be bad for MMA.

Did anyone really think this was ever going to happen? This was predictable

I'd have paid to see it though.

When I first heard rumors of this, my immediate thought was "Dana will never let it happen while Silva is on a UFC contract". I did not even bother to get excited or even follow up on reading about it because it was clearly never going to happen, media hype to generate UFC buzz, or both.

Dana did the right thing by nixing it. The ass whipping Jones would've given Silva would be bad for MMA.

<Maybe bad for MMA (more specifically the UFC) - but I think it would have been good for Silva and RJJ; it sounds like both men were looking forward to a good competion to test themselves with. And I for one would love to see that fight, regardless of outcome.

I think RJJ is a fan of the sport. I've seen him on TV at the UFC.

<Maybe bad for MMA (more specifically the UFC) - but I think it would have been good for Silva and RJJ; it sounds like both men were looking forward to a good competion to test themselves with. And I for one would love to see that fight, regardless of outcome.

I would've liked to see it, too. But I want MMA to continue to succeed. Until a top tier boxer fights under MMA rules, I think it would be stupid to put a top notch MMA fighter in a situation where he's probably going to get embarrassed by a boxer in front of millions of people.

When I first heard rumors of this, my immediate thought was "Dana will never let it happen while Silva is on a UFC contract". I did not even bother to get excited or even follow up on reading about it because it was clearly never going to happen, media hype to generate UFC buzz, or both.

I don't think anyone really thought it would work out.

I think it would be stupid to put a top notch MMA fighter in a situation where he's probably going to get embarrassed by a boxer in front of millions of people.

Yeah, I agree with you that it would be ideal if it went both ways (for example I'd love to see Mayweather get armbared in a cage). But I still think it would cool for Silva; it seems to me that he just wants to challenge himself as an athlete as much as possible - something that I can't help but support.

About five years ago I would've agreed. Now. PPV wise, MMA is pulling in numbers comparable to and better than some major boxing matches.

At this point they are so distinctly different, I honestly don't think it would hurt MMA. If anything, to those uninformed about MMA, this makes the UFC look worse IMO than a loss by Silva.

Wait until this story makes the rounds. We will get to see boxing forums saying see MMA sucks they knew better blah blah blah.

Yeah, I agree with you that it would be ideal if it went both ways (for example I'd love to see Mayweather get armbared in a cage). But I still think it would cool for Silva; it seems to me that he just wants to challenge himself as an athlete as much as possible - something that I can't help but support.


I definitely respect Silva for wanting to fight him. I think he wants it for the right reasons. They obviously respect each other. They should train together.

About five years ago I would've agreed. Now. PPV wise, MMA is pulling in numbers comparable to and better than some major boxing matches.

At this point they are so distinctly different, I honestly don't think it would hurt MMA. If anything, to those uninformed about MMA, this makes the UFC look worse IMO than a loss by Silva.

Wait until this story makes the rounds. We will get to see boxing forums saying see MMA sucks they knew better blah blah blah.


I see your point. But it would be the same thing if they fought. "See, I told you MMA fighters are **** athletes."

Trust me I'm not fully disagreeing with you. I just don't see it being as detrimental now as in earlier years.


Regardless, we are going to get the same retarded scuttlebut either way. I wish it would've happened.

I actually completely forgot this was supposedly "in the works." I heard and was BS this'll never happen.