Roy Jones Jr is set to return to the boxing ring to face former UFC champion Anthony Pettis in April.
Boxing legend Jones Jr has not fought as a professional since taking on Scott Sigmon in 2018 but he did take on legend Mike Tyson two years later in a lucrative exhibition bout. He has been heavily linked with a comeback since against a number of former MMA fighters including Anderson Silva and most recently Pettis.
Now former cruiserweight world champion Jones Jr has signed on the dotted line and will face former UFC champion Pettis on April 1 in Wisconsin. The fight will feature as part of UFC welterweight Jorge Masvidal's latest Gamebred Boxing card, which will also feature UFC legends Jose Aldo and Vitor Belfort.
Masvidal said in a statement to MMA Hour after the event was confirmed: “I’ve always been a fan of Roy Jones. Always wanted to work with Roy Jones in some capacity. He’s going to be fighting someone that inspired me in my career numerous times. WEC champion, UFC champion, I think both his wins for the UFC title were finishes.
"[Pettis] has knockouts and finishes at 145, 155, 170, it’s crazy what this guy has done in his career in MMA. Great striker. He agreed to fight the walking, living legend, the pound-for-pound king, one of the best fighters, athletes, I’ve ever seen in combat sports, period, versus Anthony Pettis.”
Jones was set to fight in an exhibition against a different opponent, bodybuilder 'NDA champ', but the fight was postponed until May. He will now take on Pettis who is new to the sport of boxing and has never fought in the squared circle before despite having had an impressive MMA career.
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Pettis has a hugely successful stint in the UFC where he reigned as lightweight champion for two years from 2013 to 2015, but his form has dipped in recent years after his signature with PFL. He has lost four of his last five fights under the new banner, and will be looking for a massive improvement in his boxing debut.
There is a significant age gap in Pettis' favour given he is 36-years-old and his rival is now 54-years-old. Both men have a wealth of experience in their respectuve combat sports with Pettis boasting a sixteen year career in MMA, while Jones Jr is now also a trainer cornering the likes of Chris Eubank Jr.
A weight discrepancy is also clear between both men given Jones Jr has fought at cruiserweight and heavyweight, while Pettis has largely fought several classes below at lightweight. However images have already emerged of Pettis showing off a bulkier frame, which he may find it easy to adjust to given he is just one inch shorter than his new rival.
