[b]The Idaho Statesman reports that Roy Jones Jr. understands the local skepticism and the sagging ticket sales surrounding his July 29 fight at Qwest Arena against Prince Badi Ajamu.
In an interview conducted by the Phone with the Idaho Statesman and in response to his critics, Jones Jr. tells the paper: “They just want to make sure I’m coming. I can assure them that I will be there.”
Jones Jr., also defended the choice of Idaho for his upcoming bout, telling the Paper: “I like going to different places and
seeing different crowds. This is my first opportunity to share myself with another group of people and to experience another place. Why not? I’ve had a few people tell me that it’s the best countryland in the United States (and) that it’s as beautiful a place as you want to see.”
Jones added: “It’s going wonderful. It’s almost like I haven’t fought in a long time and now I’m getting happy and can’t wait. I feel good.”
I hope so. But if Jones doesn’t look impressive he needs to retire. it doesn’t matter if he wins even if he wins close he needs to retire, he needs to win 10 rounds or more to still be close to himself or win by stoppage.
It depends entirely on what his motviation for keeping on fighting is. Is it his self-belief and overriding confience that he can come back and challenge for more honours on the world stage? Or his he fleshing out his pension with a couple of outings against competent opponents who may give the legend a run for his money.
I’ll wait and see, but I do totally agree that what I want to see is what he’s promising, vintage RJJ, and if it’s not there, then maybe it’s time we wave him a fond farewell, and pray he has a nice quiet retirement, and grows old gracefully.
