Add another 50-plus legend to those who want to take part in old-timers boxing.
Roy Jones Jr., a former four-division titleholder, hinted during an Instagram interview with one of his fighters that he likes the idea of fighting Mike Tyson (53) or Evander Holyfield (57), both of whom have said they plan to return to take part in exhibitions for charity.
The difference between Jones and the two hall of famers, besides age, is that Jones has been active recently. He last fought two years ago, when he outpointed Scott Sigmon. Tyson hasn’t fought since 2005, Holyfield since 2011.
And it sounds as if Jones still has an edge.
“Let me tell you one thing, just so you all know,” Jones said. “I don’t really mess with people too much, I don’t like to bother nobody. I’m getting older, I love trying to pass what I know down to these guys so they can take what I did, what I knew, and try to add and build on to it.
“Chris Eubank, Shady [Gamhour], whole class of them, trying just to pass to them what I know and let them add what I know to what they do. But … I’ve had a few people bothering me lately. I ain’t gonna say a lot of names, but some pretty strong, big guys trying to bully me around.
“I don’t like being bullied. I will fight you. I know I’m 51 but I will fight somebody over 50. And I ain’t scared to fight nobody, nowhere, at no time. Headgear, no headgear, I don’t care. So just be aware, and be careful what you say.”
Jones didn’t provide details about the encounter to which he was referring but he’s obviously ready to lace ’em up.
Jones fought once as a heavyweight, moving up from 175 pounds to 193 to beat John Ruiz and win a heavyweight title in 2003. He went back down to light heavyweight and ultimately to cruiserweight after that but was never the same dominating fighter he had been.