Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo: Ranking greatest 168-pounders ever

Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo: Who are the greatest 168-pounders ever?

Canelo Alvarez might be in decline but no one has been able to beat at super middleweight.

The Mexican star has a record of 8-0 (4 KOs) and became the first undisputed champion at 168 pounds in the four-belt era, making him one of the most accomplished fighters the division has ever produced.

We’ll withhold judgment on where he stands compared to his greatest predecessors until after he defends his titles against 154-pound champ Jermell Charlo on Sept. 30 in Las Vegas and whatever might follow.

The list below provides you with an idea of the super middleweights against whom he’ll be judged when all is said and done.

Here are the five greatest 168-pounders of all time.

(Note: The division came into being when the IBF introduced the weight class in 1984. Also, weights above 160 pounds and no higher than 168 are designated as super middleweight here.)

NO. 5 CARL FROCH

Overall record: 33-2 (24 KOs)
168-pound record: 25-2 (KOs)
168-pound titles: WBC 2008-10; WBC 2010-11; IBF 2012-15; WBA 2013-15
Hall of Fame: Yes
Background: Froch was more than a tough, fan-friendly fighter who delivered one of the great walk-off moments in boxing history. The Englishman deserves to be on this list. He had three reigns as champion over a period of six-plus years, he beat everyone he faced except Hall of Famer Andre Ward (he avenged a loss to rival Mikkel Kessler), and his list of notable victims is long – Robin Reid, Jean Pascal, Jermain Taylor, Andre Dirrell, Arthur Abraham, Glen Johnson, Lucian Bute, Yusaf Mack, George Groves (twice) and more. That’s an impressive run. On top of that, his exit from boxing was legendary: A one-punch knockout of Groves in front 80,000 screaming fans at Wembley Stadium in London. He was neither a boxing wizard nor typically a one-punch knockout artist. He was just a skillful, supremely confident bad-ass who knew how to win fights.

NO. 4 NIGEL BENN

Overall record: 42-5-1 (35 KOs)
168-pound record: 33-3-1 (27 KOs)
168-pound titles: WBC (1992-96)
Hall of Fame: No
Background: Benn is on this list in part because of his 10th-round knockout of Gerald McClellan in 1995. I hate to praise Benn too much because the brave McClellan suffered brain damage in that fight and never fought again. However, you have to understand how good McClellan was at the time. He was destroying everything in his path going into the fight, which made Benn’s ability to beat him a career-defining accomplishment. The well-schooled power puncher from London had a reign of about 3½ years and made nine successful defenses, including a draw with rival Chris Eubank in their rematch that most people thought should’ve gone Benn’s way. That would’ve been a huge win for him. And, finally, Benn was one of the most entertaining fighters of all time. That’s never lost on me.

NO. 3 JOE CALZAGHE

Overall record: 46-0 (32 KOs)
168-pound record: 33-0 (22 KOs)
168-pound titles: WBO (1997-2008), IBF (2006), WBA (2007-08), WBC (2007-08)
Hall of Fame: Yes
Background: Calzaghe was a special fighter. The Welshman reigned as champion for more than a decade and was 21-0 in 168-pound title fights. Those are crazy numbers. I don’t think anyone accomplished more at the weight. In terms of his skills, he was a southpaw who had it all. He was quick, athletic, could move well and had power, although he recorded fewer knockouts as his opposition got better. He also has a long list of notable victims – Chris Eubank, Robin Reid, Omar Sheika, Rickie Woodhall, Charles Brewer, Mikkel Kessler and more. He never ducked anyone. I wish he would’ve taken part in the Super Six World Boxing Classic, in which he might’ve faced Andre Ward. All in all, though, he was great.

NO. 2 ANDRE WARD

Overall record: 32-0 (16 KOs)
168-pound record: 19-0 (8 KOs)
168-pound titles: WBA (2009-15), WBC (2011-12)
Hall of Fame: Yes
Background: The product of Oakland, California, was an all-time great. He won an Olympic gold medal in 2004 but really burst onto the scene when he won the Super Six World Boxing Classic, in which he beat Mikkel Kessler, Allan Green, Arthur Abraham and Carl Froch in succession to win the championship even though he was unproven at the time. He became a star instantaneously. He had a six-year reign at 168, although that was interrupted by a contract dispute. He also beat Edison Miranda and Chad Dawson, among others. And he went on to have success at 175 pounds. I compared him to an anaconda. He would wrap himself around you in a way that diffused anything you tried to do. He was a brilliant boxer.

NO. 1 ROY JONES JR.

Overall record: 66-10 (47 KOs)
168-pound record: 13-0 (11 KOs)
168-pound titles: IBF (1994-96)
Hall of Fame: Yes
Background: Jones didn’t campaign in the division as long as the others here but he was dazzling at the weight. The physical freak from Florida boxed circles around everyone he faced, was difficult to hit cleanly and had devastating one-punch knockout power. Thus, no one could compete with him when he was at his best. His greatest victories at 168 came against then-unbeaten pound-for-pounder James Toney, Thulani Malinga, Thomas Tate, Antoine Byrd, Vinny Pazienza and Eric Lucas. I like a quote from boxing historian Cliff Rold. He wrote: “It’s not a stretch to say he may never have lost a single round contested in the class.” I don’t believe anyone before or since could’ve touched Jones at super middleweight. And he was just getting started. He was at his best at 175.

[lawrence-related id=39015,39012,38983,38970,38956,38861,38853,38761,38624,38588]

Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo: Ranking greatest 168-pounders ever

Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo: Who are the greatest 168-pounders ever?

Canelo Alvarez might be in decline but no one has been able to beat at super middleweight.

The Mexican star has a record of 8-0 (4 KOs) and became the first undisputed champion at 168 pounds in the four-belt era, making him one of the most accomplished fighters the division has ever produced.

We’ll withhold judgment on where he stands compared to his greatest predecessors until after he defends his titles against 154-pound champ Jermell Charlo on Sept. 30 in Las Vegas and whatever might follow.

The list below provides you with an idea of the super middleweights against whom he’ll be judged when all is said and done.

Here are the five greatest 168-pounders of all time.

(Note: The division came into being when the IBF introduced the weight class in 1984. Also, weights above 160 pounds and no higher than 168 are designated as super middleweight here.)

NO. 5 CARL FROCH

Overall record: 33-2 (24 KOs)
168-pound record: 25-2 (KOs)
168-pound titles: WBC 2008-10; WBC 2010-11; IBF 2012-15; WBA 2013-15
Hall of Fame: Yes
Background: Froch was more than a tough, fan-friendly fighter who delivered one of the great walk-off moments in boxing history. The Englishman deserves to be on this list. He had three reigns as champion over a period of six-plus years, he beat everyone he faced except Hall of Famer Andre Ward (he avenged a loss to rival Mikkel Kessler), and his list of notable victims is long – Robin Reid, Jean Pascal, Jermain Taylor, Andre Dirrell, Arthur Abraham, Glen Johnson, Lucian Bute, Yusaf Mack, George Groves (twice) and more. That’s an impressive run. On top of that, his exit from boxing was legendary: A one-punch knockout of Groves in front 80,000 screaming fans at Wembley Stadium in London. He was neither a boxing wizard nor typically a one-punch knockout artist. He was just a skillful, supremely confident bad-ass who knew how to win fights.

NO. 4 NIGEL BENN

Overall record: 42-5-1 (35 KOs)
168-pound record: 33-3-1 (27 KOs)
168-pound titles: WBC (1992-96)
Hall of Fame: No
Background: Benn is on this list in part because of his 10th-round knockout of Gerald McClellan in 1995. I hate to praise Benn too much because the brave McClellan suffered brain damage in that fight and never fought again. However, you have to understand how good McClellan was at the time. He was destroying everything in his path going into the fight, which made Benn’s ability to beat him a career-defining accomplishment. The well-schooled power puncher from London had a reign of about 3½ years and made nine successful defenses, including a draw with rival Chris Eubank in their rematch that most people thought should’ve gone Benn’s way. That would’ve been a huge win for him. And, finally, Benn was one of the most entertaining fighters of all time. That’s never lost on me.

NO. 3 JOE CALZAGHE

Overall record: 46-0 (32 KOs)
168-pound record: 33-0 (22 KOs)
168-pound titles: WBO (1997-2008), IBF (2006), WBA (2007-08), WBC (2007-08)
Hall of Fame: Yes
Background: Calzaghe was a special fighter. The Welshman reigned as champion for more than a decade and was 21-0 in 168-pound title fights. Those are crazy numbers. I don’t think anyone accomplished more at the weight. In terms of his skills, he was a southpaw who had it all. He was quick, athletic, could move well and had power, although he recorded fewer knockouts as his opposition got better. He also has a long list of notable victims – Chris Eubank, Robin Reid, Omar Sheika, Rickie Woodhall, Charles Brewer, Mikkel Kessler and more. He never ducked anyone. I wish he would’ve taken part in the Super Six World Boxing Classic, in which he might’ve faced Andre Ward. All in all, though, he was great.

NO. 2 ANDRE WARD

Overall record: 32-0 (16 KOs)
168-pound record: 19-0 (8 KOs)
168-pound titles: WBA (2009-15), WBC (2011-12)
Hall of Fame: Yes
Background: The product of Oakland, California, was an all-time great. He won an Olympic gold medal in 2004 but really burst onto the scene when he won the Super Six World Boxing Classic, in which he beat Mikkel Kessler, Allan Green, Arthur Abraham and Carl Froch in succession to win the championship even though he was unproven at the time. He became a star instantaneously. He had a six-year reign at 168, although that was interrupted by a contract dispute. He also beat Edison Miranda and Chad Dawson, among others. And he went on to have success at 175 pounds. I compared him to an anaconda. He would wrap himself around you in a way that diffused anything you tried to do. He was a brilliant boxer.

NO. 1 ROY JONES JR.

Overall record: 66-10 (47 KOs)
168-pound record: 13-0 (11 KOs)
168-pound titles: IBF (1994-96)
Hall of Fame: Yes
Background: Jones didn’t campaign in the division as long as the others here but he was dazzling at the weight. The physical freak from Florida boxed circles around everyone he faced, was difficult to hit cleanly and had devastating one-punch knockout power. Thus, no one could compete with him when he was at his best. His greatest victories at 168 came against then-unbeaten pound-for-pounder James Toney, Thulani Malinga, Thomas Tate, Antoine Byrd, Vinny Pazienza and Eric Lucas. I like a quote from boxing historian Cliff Rold. He wrote: “It’s not a stretch to say he may never have lost a single round contested in the class.” I don’t believe anyone before or since could’ve touched Jones at super middleweight. And he was just getting started. He was at his best at 175.

[lawrence-related id=39015,39012,38983,38970,38956,38861,38853,38761,38624,38588]

Gamebred Boxing 4 fighter pay: Anthony Pettis vs. Roy Jones Jr. card reaches almost $3 million combined

See the disclosed payouts for Anthony Pettis, Roy Jones. Jr., Vitor Belfort, Jose Aldo, and more, per the state of Wisconsin.

Gamebred Boxing 4 took place Saturday at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisc., where six fighters took home six-figure paydays as a result of their bouts.

Thursday, MMA Junkie acquired a list of the disclosed payouts from the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, which oversees the state’s athletic commission and regulation of combat sports events.

The amounts reflect the disclosed payouts only and do not include any off-contract bonuses, sponsor payments, or discretionary bonuses.

Of the 26 fighters to compete on the card, 20 were on flat purse contracts, while the remaining six fighters were on show-win deals. Headliners [autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] and [autotag]Roy Jones Jr.[/autotag] took home the largest purses of the bunch, as they combined for $1,350,000.

The total payout for all fighters on the card was $2,827,700.

Scroll below to see what the 26 fighters on Gamebred Boxing 4 were paid – disclosed amounts only.

Weekend Review: Anthony Joshua is winner – and loser – in uninspiring victory

Weekend Review: Anthony Joshua was a winner – and a loser – in his uninspiring victory over Jermaine Franklin on Saturday in London.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

BIGGEST WINNER
Anthony Joshua

The former heavyweight champion’s new trainer Derrick James said after the fact that all he wanted was a victory over Jermaine Franklin on Saturday at O2 Arena in London. Decision or knockout, it didn’t matter. Mission accomplished. Joshua controlled the fight from the outset with his power jab and plenty of hard, accurate right hands. The smaller Franklin was willing but didn’t have the wherewithal to avoid the incoming shots or deliver his own with any consistency. Thus, no one was surprised when the official scores were announced: 118-111, 117-111 and 117-111, which was music to the ears of those close to Joshua. He was back in the win column after three long years and had taken a significant step in the right direction following crippling back-to-back losses against Oleksander Usyk. The victory could lead directly to a showdown against countryman and titleholder Tyson Fury. Or, if that’s not possible immediately, Deontay Wilder and Dillian Whyte are viable options on Joshua’s continuing journey of redemption. Bottom line: Joshua is back in business.

 

BIGGEST LOSER
Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua got the victory but didn’t make a strong statement.  James Chance / Getty Images

Joshua got the job done but it wasn’t his finest hour. And that might not bode well for him. Let’s face it: He has never been the same since Andy Ruiz Jr. hurt him in the third round and stopped him in the seventh in an unforgettable 2019 upset. He rebounded by outpointing Ruiz in the rematch and then knocking out 39-year-old Pulev but the ferocious knockout artist of the pre-Ruiz years was gone, having given way to a capable, but careful boxer who has no interest in taking unnecessary risks lest he be stopped again. The old, confident Joshua would’ve destroyed a second-tier opponent like Franklin. The current version spent as much time holding his frustrated opponent as punching him late in the fight, when Franklin was particularly vulnerable to a knockout. That was a bad look. Joshua wanted to stop Franklin, he wanted to make a statement, he wanted to show everyone that he’s still the great heavyweight who took out Hall of Famer Wladimir Klitschko in 2017. The problem for him? That’s no longer who he is.

 

BIGGEST MISMATCH?
Fury vs. Joshua

Could Joshua beat Tyson Fury? Ringo Chiu, Fayez Nureldine / AFP via Getty Images

One should never count out a fighter as talented as Joshua. And make no mistake: Joshua is a fine boxer, as he demonstrated in his second fight with Usyk. He came within a handful punches of turning the tables on his Ukrainian rival, which would’ve been a major accomplishment. I just don’t see how this version of Joshua beats Fury, however. Fury is bigger, better and mentally much tougher than the skittish Joshua. Joshua might be a bigger puncher but how far is that going to take him? He couldn’t stop Franklin. Can he be expected to do so against a man who survived three fights against Deontay Wilder? It doesn’t seem likely. The fight might look a lot like Fury’s meeting with the 39-year-old Klitschko, who has a similar style to Joshua. He fought behind his strong jab and pounded his opponents with straight right hands. A younger, less experienced Fury neutralized everything Klitschko tried to do and won a clear decision in his break-out fight. Would it be any different against Joshua? Not likely.

 

RABBIT PUNCHCES

Roy Jones Jr., 54, lost a majority decision in a sanctioned bout against former UFC champion Anthony Pettis on Saturday in Milwaukee even though Pettis had no boxing experience. And Jones (66-10, 47 KOs) said more such fights are to come. Fighters in their mid-50s shouldn’t be allowed to take part in sanctioned bouts, in which both parties are expected to hold nothing back in the most dangerous of sports. Shame on officials in Wisconsin. Why not take part in exhibitions if Jones wants to stay in the game, as he did with Mike Tyson in 2020? Then the participants can put on a show and make money without taking risks inherent in genuine fights. This just doesn’t feel right. … Robeisy Ramirez (12-1, 7 KOs) climbed all the way back from his disastrous loss in his pro debut, outclassing and easily outpointing former 122-pound beltholder Isaac Dogboe (24-3, 15 KOs) to win a vacant 126-pound title Saturday in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Obviously the two-time Olympic champion from Cuba is an excellent boxer. And he’s going to get better if he remains focused. The southpaw relies almost solely on spacing and his left hand. If he would use his jab and throw more combinations, he could be scary good. … Dogboe didn’t handle his post-fight interview well, arguing in so many words that he was robbed and demanding a rematch. Let’s not be too hard on him; his emotions got the better of him. But, c’mon. It wasn’t a close fight. And he’s not getting a rematch. It’s almost always best to say something like, “Hey, it wasn’t my night tonight,” and move on.

[lawrence-related id=36501,36492,36456,36450]

Weekend Review: Anthony Joshua is winner – and loser – in uninspiring victory

Weekend Review: Anthony Joshua was a winner – and a loser – in his uninspiring victory over Jermaine Franklin on Saturday in London.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

BIGGEST WINNER
Anthony Joshua

The former heavyweight champion’s new trainer Derrick James said after the fact that all he wanted was a victory over Jermaine Franklin on Saturday at O2 Arena in London. Decision or knockout, it didn’t matter. Mission accomplished. Joshua controlled the fight from the outset with his power jab and plenty of hard, accurate right hands. The smaller Franklin was willing but didn’t have the wherewithal to avoid the incoming shots or deliver his own with any consistency. Thus, no one was surprised when the official scores were announced: 118-111, 117-111 and 117-111, which was music to the ears of those close to Joshua. He was back in the win column after three long years and had taken a significant step in the right direction following crippling back-to-back losses against Oleksander Usyk. The victory could lead directly to a showdown against countryman and titleholder Tyson Fury. Or, if that’s not possible immediately, Deontay Wilder and Dillian Whyte are viable options on Joshua’s continuing journey of redemption. Bottom line: Joshua is back in business.

 

BIGGEST LOSER
Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua got the victory but didn’t make a strong statement.  James Chance / Getty Images

Joshua got the job done but it wasn’t his finest hour. And that might not bode well for him. Let’s face it: He has never been the same since Andy Ruiz Jr. hurt him in the third round and stopped him in the seventh in an unforgettable 2019 upset. He rebounded by outpointing Ruiz in the rematch and then knocking out 39-year-old Pulev but the ferocious knockout artist of the pre-Ruiz years was gone, having given way to a capable, but careful boxer who has no interest in taking unnecessary risks lest he be stopped again. The old, confident Joshua would’ve destroyed a second-tier opponent like Franklin. The current version spent as much time holding his frustrated opponent as punching him late in the fight, when Franklin was particularly vulnerable to a knockout. That was a bad look. Joshua wanted to stop Franklin, he wanted to make a statement, he wanted to show everyone that he’s still the great heavyweight who took out Hall of Famer Wladimir Klitschko in 2017. The problem for him? That’s no longer who he is.

 

BIGGEST MISMATCH?
Fury vs. Joshua

Could Joshua beat Tyson Fury? Ringo Chiu, Fayez Nureldine / AFP via Getty Images

One should never count out a fighter as talented as Joshua. And make no mistake: Joshua is a fine boxer, as he demonstrated in his second fight with Usyk. He came within a handful punches of turning the tables on his Ukrainian rival, which would’ve been a major accomplishment. I just don’t see how this version of Joshua beats Fury, however. Fury is bigger, better and mentally much tougher than the skittish Joshua. Joshua might be a bigger puncher but how far is that going to take him? He couldn’t stop Franklin. Can he be expected to do so against a man who survived three fights against Deontay Wilder? It doesn’t seem likely. The fight might look a lot like Fury’s meeting with the 39-year-old Klitschko, who has a similar style to Joshua. He fought behind his strong jab and pounded his opponents with straight right hands. A younger, less experienced Fury neutralized everything Klitschko tried to do and won a clear decision in his break-out fight. Would it be any different against Joshua? Not likely.

 

RABBIT PUNCHCES

Roy Jones Jr., 54, lost a majority decision in a sanctioned bout against former UFC champion Anthony Pettis on Saturday in Milwaukee even though Pettis had no boxing experience. And Jones (66-10, 47 KOs) said more such fights are to come. Fighters in their mid-50s shouldn’t be allowed to take part in sanctioned bouts, in which both parties are expected to hold nothing back in the most dangerous of sports. Shame on officials in Wisconsin. Why not take part in exhibitions if Jones wants to stay in the game, as he did with Mike Tyson in 2020? Then the participants can put on a show and make money without taking risks inherent in genuine fights. This just doesn’t feel right. … Robeisy Ramirez (12-1, 7 KOs) climbed all the way back from his disastrous loss in his pro debut, outclassing and easily outpointing former 122-pound beltholder Isaac Dogboe (24-3, 15 KOs) to win a vacant 126-pound title Saturday in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Obviously the two-time Olympic champion from Cuba is an excellent boxer. And he’s going to get better if he remains focused. The southpaw relies almost solely on spacing and his left hand. If he would use his jab and throw more combinations, he could be scary good. … Dogboe didn’t handle his post-fight interview well, arguing in so many words that he was robbed and demanding a rematch. Let’s not be too hard on him; his emotions got the better of him. But, c’mon. It wasn’t a close fight. And he’s not getting a rematch. It’s almost always best to say something like, “Hey, it wasn’t my night tonight,” and move on.

[lawrence-related id=36501,36492,36456,36450]

Roy Jones Jr., 54, outpointed by former UFC fighter with no boxing experience

Roy Jones Jr., 54, was outpointed by Anthony Pettis, a former UFC fighter with no boxing experience, Saturday in Milwaukee.

Roy Jones Jr., 54, came up short in his comeback fight.

The Hall of Famer, taking part in a sanctioned bout for the first time in more than five years, lost a majority decision to 36-year-old former UFC champion Anthony Pettis in an eight-round cruiserweight fight Saturday in Milwaukee.

The official scores were 78-74 and 77-75 for Pettis, and 76-76.

The fight was competitive throughout and Jones fought with urgency in the final few rounds but he was outworked overall by Pettis, who was making his boxing debut.

“For me, I like to come in and entertain the fans,” Jones said afterward. “My job is to come in and make sure that the fans get what they paid for, and I’m all good with that.

“I think it was a good fight. He did a great job and fought a very smart fight. I think I educated him and taught him a lot in this fight. So I think if I fought him again it would be even better because he knows a lot more now.

“I think it would be a really good rematch.”

Jones was coming off an exhibition with Mike Tyson in 2020. Why take part in sanctioned bouts as opposed to exhibitions when you’re in your mid-50s?

“I don’t do exhibitions, I fight real fights,” Jones said. “I’m not an exhibition guy, I’m a real guy. I want to win, or I want to lose. But I’m going to go out on my shield.

“And I want to be able to do it again as many times as I want to. At 54 years old, that’s a beautiful thing, and he already said he’d do it again because one judge had it even. So that’s what I love.”

Meanwhile, Pettis was impressed with the old man. And he’s thrilled to have embarked on a new journey.

“Man, he’s 54 years old, but you’ve got to give it up for this guy,” Pettis said. “He’s a legend in the sport, a GOAT (Greatest of All Time). Praise God for allowing me to get this opportunity. Give it up for Roy Jones Jr., man.

“I’m going to take it one fight at a time, take it day by day,” continued Pettis. “I’m 1-0 as a pro and I’m excited for what the future holds.”

What about a rematch with Jones?

“I would love to do it again,” Pettis said. “Let’s go. It would be an honor, bro.”

Roy Jones Jr., 54, outpointed by former UFC fighter with no boxing experience

Roy Jones Jr., 54, was outpointed by Anthony Pettis, a former UFC fighter with no boxing experience, Saturday in Milwaukee.

Roy Jones Jr., 54, came up short in his comeback fight.

The Hall of Famer, taking part in a sanctioned bout for the first time in more than five years, lost a majority decision to 36-year-old former UFC champion Anthony Pettis in an eight-round cruiserweight fight Saturday in Milwaukee.

The official scores were 78-74 and 77-75 for Pettis, and 76-76.

The fight was competitive throughout and Jones fought with urgency in the final few rounds but he was outworked overall by Pettis, who was making his boxing debut.

“For me, I like to come in and entertain the fans,” Jones said afterward. “My job is to come in and make sure that the fans get what they paid for, and I’m all good with that.

“I think it was a good fight. He did a great job and fought a very smart fight. I think I educated him and taught him a lot in this fight. So I think if I fought him again it would be even better because he knows a lot more now.

“I think it would be a really good rematch.”

Jones was coming off an exhibition with Mike Tyson in 2020. Why take part in sanctioned bouts as opposed to exhibitions when you’re in your mid-50s?

“I don’t do exhibitions, I fight real fights,” Jones said. “I’m not an exhibition guy, I’m a real guy. I want to win, or I want to lose. But I’m going to go out on my shield.

“And I want to be able to do it again as many times as I want to. At 54 years old, that’s a beautiful thing, and he already said he’d do it again because one judge had it even. So that’s what I love.”

Meanwhile, Pettis was impressed with the old man. And he’s thrilled to have embarked on a new journey.

“Man, he’s 54 years old, but you’ve got to give it up for this guy,” Pettis said. “He’s a legend in the sport, a GOAT (Greatest of All Time). Praise God for allowing me to get this opportunity. Give it up for Roy Jones Jr., man.

“I’m going to take it one fight at a time, take it day by day,” continued Pettis. “I’m 1-0 as a pro and I’m excited for what the future holds.”

What about a rematch with Jones?

“I would love to do it again,” Pettis said. “Let’s go. It would be an honor, bro.”

Photos: Gamebred Boxing 4 ceremonial weigh-ins and faceoffs

Check out these photos of the fighters on the scale and the faceoffs from the Gamebred Boxing 4 ceremonial weigh-ins.

Check out these photos of the fighters on the scale and the faceoffs from the Gamebred Boxing 4 ceremonial weigh-ins, including [autotag]Roy Jones Jr.[/autotag], [autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag], [autotag]Vitor Belfort[/autotag], [autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag], [autotag]Jose Aldo[/autotag], [autotag]Jeremy Stephens[/autotag], [autotag]Pearl Gonzalez[/autotag], and [autotag]Gina Mazany[/autotag]. (Photos courtesy of Phil Lamber, Gamebred Boxing)

 

Gamebred Boxing 4 weigh-ins video and results: Roy Jones Jr., Anthony Pettis face off at 200 pounds

Roy Jones Jr. vs. Anthony Pettis headlines Gamebred Boxing 4. Check out video of the ceremonial weigh-ins and faceoffs.

There is not a UFC event this weekend, but stars from the MMA world have ascended on Milwaukee.

Gamebred Boxing 4 takes place at Fiserv Forum and is headlined by boxing legend [autotag]Roy Jones Jr.[/autotag] against former UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag].

Also on the card, former UFC light heavyweight champion [autotag]Vitor Belfort[/autotag] battles [autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag], and former UFC featherweight champion [autotag]Jose Aldo[/autotag] battles [autotag]Jeremy Stephens[/autotag]. The rest of the card features a handful of other notable UFC alumni.

On Friday, the fighters weighed in and squared off. Check out the official weigh-in results below and check out the ceremonial faceoffs in the video above.

Full Gamebred Boxing 4 weigh-in results include:

MAIN CARD (UFC Fight Pass pay-per-view, 9 p.m. ET)

  • Roy Jones Jr. (199.1) vs. Anthony Pettis (198.5)
  • Vitor Belfort (200.9) vs. Ronaldo Souza (199.9)
  • Jose Aldo (148) vs. Jeremy Stephens (146.9)
  • Clarence Booth (TBA) vs. Luis Feliciano (143.5)
  • Devin Cushing (131.6) vs. Damian David Marciano (130_
  • Pearl Gonzalez (125.7) vs. Gina Mazany (126.5)
  • Dillon Cleckler (248.5) vs. Josh Burns (275.4)
  • Andy Nguyen (120) vs. Bi Nguyen (119.6)

PRELIMINARY CARD

  • Markus Perez (199.8) vs. Joe Riggs (200.2)
  • Madeep Jangra (133.9) vs. Ryan Reber (133.9)
  • Roberto Armas (130.8) vs. Javier Zamarron (131)
  • Cade Howell (147.6) vs. Christopher Wingate (148)
  • Danielle Cohen (134.7) vs. Danielle Wynn (135.4)

‘Sheer violence and sweet science’: Gamebred Boxing 4 a UFC veteran showcase with boxing legend mixed in

Not even Jorge Masvidal knows what to expect from Saturday night’s fights full of UFC veterans.

[autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] has returned to Milwaukee to fight in his home city for the first time in nearly a decade, but the circumstances are nothing like they were back then.

The last time Pettis competed in Milwaukee was in MMA for the UFC lightweight championship, which he claimed after submitting Benson Henderson in the first round at UFC 164. Ten years later, Pettis is gearing up for a boxing match this Saturday against legend [autotag]Roy Jones Jr.[/autotag] to headline Jorge Masvidal’s Gamebred Boxing 4 event at Fiserv Forum. It streams on UFC Fight Pass pay-per-view for $49.99.

The card is chalk full of former UFC fighters as [autotag]Vitor Belfort[/autotag] takes on [autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag] in the co-main event; [autotag]Jose Aldo[/autotag] and [autotag]Jeremy Stephens[/autotag] run it back from their 2018 UFC fight; and [autotag]Pearl Gonzalez[/autotag] takes on [autotag]Gina Mazany[/autotag].

Not even Masvidal knows what to expect from Saturday night’s fights.

“If you’re on the fence about buying this pay-per-view, we don’t blame you,” Masvidal said in a statement. “You more than likely don’t have a clue how these fights will play out, and to tell you the truth, neither do I. …

“If there’s one thing we can promise and deliver on, it’s that we will be sheer violence and sweet science.”

Pearl Gonzalez and Gina Mazany during the Gamebred Boxing 4 news conference. (YouTube)

Pettis, 36, is making his boxing debut against former multiple-time champion Jones in an eight-round cruiserweight (200 pounds) matchup. For a period during his prime, Jones was considered boxing’s pound-for-pound No. 1, but that was many moons ago.

Jones is 54 now. There’s nothing at stake in this fight except proving something to themselves.

“It feels good to be back in Milwaukee,” Pettis said during Thursday’s news conference. “Last time I was here, I won the UFC world title 10 years ago. Coming back here to fight a legend in Roy Jones Jr., it’s a blessing.”

Said Jones: “Thank God for giving us all the opportunity to come perform. I want to say I’m delighted to be able to be here to perform, but I’m so damn old I ain’t sure if I get delighted no more. It’s kind of fun to be able to still do what you love doing at my age.”

[lawrence-related id=2628974,2628598,2627463,2625054]

Souza, known more for his standout Brazilian jiu-jitsu, hinted at hearing from people who are against him stepping in a boxing ring for the first time at 43. “Jacare” said he took his preparation seriously.

“I did a very hard camp for this fight,” Souza said. “Everybody’s sad for me. ‘Why, Jacare, are you boxing right now?’ Because I can. … I’ll show ‘Jacare’ can box, too.”

Can he against a once-dangerous knockout artist in Belfort? The former UFC light heavyweight champion got a taste of the ring in September 2021 when he TKO’d Evander Holyfield in the first round of a Triller Fight Club headliner.

Belfort is grateful to be able to compete on his birthday for the first time.

“God is everything in my life. I’m gonna be 46 on Saturday, so first time I’m fighting on my birthday. And I’m fighting a tremendous, legendary fighter from Brazil,” Belfort said. “I have a lot of respect for ‘Jacare.’ … It’s a privilege to be an example for my kids, how to live a righteous life. Sports has helped me a lot. It’s good to give back and be able to perform at this age. I’m very privileged.”

That was the general sentiment from all eight fighters on stage: blessed, privileged to be able to fight, regardless if it’s MMA or boxing.

This just so happens to be the latter.

“The fight gods have blessed us,” Stephens said. “This is an honor to be up here with Roy Jones and Pettis and Vitor right here. I’ve been watching this guy a long time, and here I am sitting right next to him on the big stage, on the big show. It’s a tremendous opportunity. If you really, truly knew what this meant, it’s amazing. I feel like I’m in a dream right now.”