madjack
05-12-2002, 12:28 AM
Jones confirms heavyweight switch
From correspondents in Washington
December 4, 2002
LIGHT middleweight king Roy Jones has confirmed he will move up to the heavyweight division to fight WBA champion John Ruiz next year.
The fight has been arranged for Las Vegas on March 8 after lengthy negotiations with promoter Don King.
"I just wanted to make sure that I'm treated well," said Jones. "You know how difficult it is to negociate with Don King.
"If it was just up to me and Ruiz, (it would have been) a done deal a long time ago."
But Jones said he is unsure whether he wants to follow promoter Don King's wishes that the winner of the bout should go on to fight the winner of the fight between former world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield and Chris Byrd.
"I don't know if I want to continue," said Jones. "My last fight? Maybe, maybe not. My aspiration is to win that one fight. I know there is a lot at stake for me. But I'll use my head."
From correspondents in Washington
December 4, 2002
LIGHT middleweight king Roy Jones has confirmed he will move up to the heavyweight division to fight WBA champion John Ruiz next year.
The fight has been arranged for Las Vegas on March 8 after lengthy negotiations with promoter Don King.
"I just wanted to make sure that I'm treated well," said Jones. "You know how difficult it is to negociate with Don King.
"If it was just up to me and Ruiz, (it would have been) a done deal a long time ago."
But Jones said he is unsure whether he wants to follow promoter Don King's wishes that the winner of the bout should go on to fight the winner of the fight between former world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield and Chris Byrd.
"I don't know if I want to continue," said Jones. "My last fight? Maybe, maybe not. My aspiration is to win that one fight. I know there is a lot at stake for me. But I'll use my head."