Superstar and all time great Roy Jones Junior gave his hometown fans something to cheer about last night in Pensacola. The 49 year old living legend, taking part in what was dubbed his final fight, won a wide ten-round UD over a game but outclassed Scott Sigmon.
After ten rounds of fan pleasing cruiserweight action, Jones walked away with a clear-cut win via three scores of 98-92. Jones, if he has indeed boxed his last fight, exits the sport he helped make great with a 66-9(47) record. 30 year old Sigmon falls to 30-12-1(16).
Jones, showing flashes of his former brilliance, targeted the body well, his fast hands (nowhere near as fast as they once were but still too quick for Sigmon) enabling him to both land and showboat to his adoring fans. Sigmon was never noticeably hurt or close to being stopped, but for most fans it came as a relief that Jones was never tagged or hurt.
As Jones’ fans are only too aware, the once simply untouchable pound-for-pound king has suffered some nasty, nasty KO defeats over the not too distant years, and though he was expected to have too much for Sigmon, which proved to be the case, there was always a chance Jones’ shaky chin could get caught and that he would suffer his sixth KO loss. It didn’t happen and, off a win, Jones can walk away and finally enjoy his retirement as he awaits his certain enshrinement in The Hall of Fame.
There might be a catch though. After the fight, Jones said that he would come back and fight again, but for one fight only: one with MMA star Anderson Silva.
“Dana [White], I know you’re listening. I know Anderson’s suspended, but that’s the only other fight Roy Jones will return to the ring for,” he said post-fight last night. “Other than that, the chapter’s closed.”
Whether he takes that fight or not, boxing fans will choose to remember Jones for his glory days, his magnificent performances against the likes of James Toney, Bernard Hopkins, Montell Griffin, Virgil Hill, Mike McCallum and John Ruiz.
That Roy Jones disappeared a long time ago, but when he was on the world’s stage he made boxing shine as bright as it ever has. Happy retirement, champ and thanks for the magic.