Ticket sales have been weak, the asking price for the PPV is a paltry 25 bones and HBO wants nothing to do with it. Three or four years ago this article would probably have been entitled, ?The Prince versus the King? but that was then and the mighty has fallen. RJJ is no longer a draw, and the meager interest in this one revolves around two themes.
First and foremost in my mind is concern. Whether on a nature show or in a boxing ring, it?s always difficult to watch a predator turn into prey, but that?s exactly what has happened to Jones. I don?t see what is to be gained in pursuing his career, that is worth the risk of suffering a permanently debilitating injury or worse. In his last outing, Roy looked fantastic for about four minutes but the slightest poke to the whiskers and that frightening glazed look came over him; the same look he had while staring up at the lights and the victorious Glen Johnson. :142smilie
Jones has made some claims and had some creative reasons to explain the losses, most noteworthy and insulting to fans and the sport being that he threw the third Tarver fight. Maybe that?s a sign that a screw was knocked loose. He has also stated that, come Saturday, we are going to see the old Roy Jones. We?ve heard that before and it would explain the poor ticket sales. If the latest reincarnation is the same version of the old Roy that re-matched Tarver, we don?t wanna see it. Posing is for models and showboating is for the victorious.:00hour
The point here is not to disrespect Roy Jones. He had a magnificent career, is a lock for the hall and provided fans with countless highlight clips that will wow generation after generation. In the process of reaching superstardom he has also amassed enough cash to fund an insurgency. So what does this fight get Jones? If he is looking to go out with a win I can understand that. Badi looks like a soft touch who lacks confidence?maybe Roy wants to retire with any ol? belt and figures to cruise to a safe and boring victory. Whatever that might do for his ego, it certainly won?t add any luster to his tarnished legacy. What about if he loses, and what if he loses badly? Does Roy Jones want to be looked upon with the same sadness and pity with which many view Evander Holyfield? How many more slobber-knockers will it take to slur his speech? Maybe it?s age, but I have zero morbid curiosity, no interest in rubber necking car accidents and the last thing I ever want to see in a boxing ring is someone seriously injured.:0corn
There is only one more fight out there for Roy Jones, and a win would provide him redemption and absolution and be an almost unbearably poetic capper for his brilliant career. Unfortunately, it would provide the same for his opponent. An opponent who was bigger and stronger in his last fight than in his entire career. An opponent who didn?t bother taking Antonio Tarver to school, he dropped him off at daycare. Just how boring is retirement, Bernard?
That little voice that hints at such things gets a lot softer after reviewing Roy?s last outings and doing an objective assessment. 37 years old, three straight losses. Somehow, however, it just will not be completely silenced and the job of making that happen falls to Prince Badi Ajamu. He is not Glen Johnson, and he is not Antonio Tarver?but Roy Jones is no longer Roy Jones.
I don?t know how it?s going to go down this weekend, but more importantly than what to hope, I know what to hope against.
7-25-2006
.................................................................
Kiss my ass and call me Tilly.
That guy nailed it there.
