Roy Jones - In the ring interview, just prior to the Brannon fight.

I think he should have fought Nunn, but I believe that he legitimately wanted to fight at HW when he relinquished his LHW belt.

As we've discussed numerous times, about half of the so called deserving fighters who he missed, weren't actually deserving at all, and the fights weren't viable.

The 'serial ducker' tag that Roy has always been labelled with, has never really been justified.

 

From the info that Zod provided, Liles's manager said that they'd got a deal in place, but then Liles went back and asked for more money. Which apparently made his manager walk.

But I'd like some more info with regards to what Roy had said in this interview.

Because the year before, in 1995, the way Stan Levin was talking, there was no way he was going to let Roy fight Benn and Liles and give King options.

So I can only assume that these offers to Benn and Liles in 96, were for just one off fights.

Although in my opinion, Benn was finished at that point.

 

The thing is, when someone's young and on top of the world, they often say things like this. When you're 24, it's hard to envisage been in your 30's and 40's. But when you do arrive at that point, it's how you feel within yourself. Your mindset can change. When Roy fought Trinidad he'd just turned 39. But he told reporters that he felt like he was 27, and felt fantastic. Also, It must be incredibly hard to give up something you love. Only in the last five years, has Roy admitted that he's past his best and his reflexes aren't what they once were. But Roy won't retire while ever he can still train everyday, and he feels physically fine and is motivated. He's been boxing since he was 7 years of age. So expect him to be around for a little while longer.

 

It's very interesting. Like I say, I'd love some more information.

But as mentioned, Ron Borges, Larry Merchant and other people at HBO, were, and have always been, Roy's biggest critics. So there's no way that Roy could have just told them that his team had made these offers. HBO must have known the facts and figures to have backed him up. So that proves to me that it was legit. But we don't know when exactly these offers were made, and the circumstances of the fighters mentioned.

In 96, Benn was finished. He'd been beaten by Malinga, and then he'd lost to Collins before Roy had fought Brannon. We know that Nigel desperately wanted Roy in 95, but maybe in 96, he didn't think he'd have had a chance? Remember that Benn retired after he lost to Malinga. He came out of retirement to fight Collins. So without knowing the dates and terms etc, we don't know.

Steve Collins might have been made the offer when he was lining up Benn for a rematch? Nardiello might have just have beaten Malinga and got Reid lined up? Frankie Liles had beaten Tim Littles in June of 96, but then didn't fight for another ten months. So it's all speculation, until we can find more evidence.

 

I agree that he used to get splits of around 90% in his favour. But here HBO back up that he offered 7 figures. Like I keep mentioning, HBO wouldn't have done that if it wasn't legit.

Ron Borges has criticised Roy numerous times, but on this video he never questioned anything.

We saw Larry Merchant after the Frazier fight lay into Roy. But again, on this video Roy is backed by HBO.

If they hadn't have been involved with the facts and figures, the interview would never have taken place.

 

Let's hope not. But I think he'll definitely fight another two or three times.