ROY JONES JR’S last opponent has backed him in his ’50-50′ fight against Mike Tyson – and revealed what he must do to win.
Jones closed out his career in February 2018 with a points win over ten rounds against Scott Sigmon.
Roy Jones Jr alongside his final opponent Scott Sigmon Credit: Instagram / @scottcujosigmon
And while it may prove to be his final professional fight, Jones will step through the ropes once more.
The former four-division champion – who won the heavyweight belt in 2003 – faces fellow legend Mike Tyson in an exhibition bout this Saturday.
Sigmon, 33, who most recently shared the ring with Jones, 51, broke down his chances against Tyson, 54, who will box for the first time in 15 years.
He told SunSport: “I want Roy to win. But it’s pretty close to a 50-50.
“I think if 25 years ago they fought, Roy Jones would have probably beat Mike Tyson fairly easy.
“I’m a B-level, 168lb fighter and I can put Roy Jones on the ropes, depending on what Mike has left imagine what Mike Tyson may be capable of.
“I’m not anywhere near as explosive or as bigger puncher of Mike Tyson.
“I’m strong but if Mike gets Roy on the ropes he’s going to have to get rid of him.
“I don’t think Mike’s going to stay right up on him for eight rounds.
“I guess Roy’s going to have to weather the storm and stay defensively sound.”
Jones is celebrated as one of the greatest boxers ever to lace up the gloves.
Winning titles all the way from middleweight to heavyweight, he seemed invincible in his prime.
But the the iconic technician is no longer the once great operator he used to be.
And Sigmon experienced it first hand two years ago in Pensacola.
Despite recognising Jones had not lost a step in his controlling of the ring, he was a shadow of his former self.
And Sigmon fears the time spent fighting well out of his prime may come back to haunt him.
He explained: “Everyone says that Roy’s been active and Mike hasn’t but Roy has maybe left too much of himself in the ring.
“I mean, he’s not Roy Jones anymore. He can only be Roy Jones for about ten or 15 seconds a round.
“But he did a good job at managing his time and exploding in the right spots.
“He’s got like 70 plus fights, I’ve got 50 and got better but he’s fought at the world-class level a lot longer than I have.
“He has great ring IQ and ring awareness and he knows how to manage a round.
“I guess I actually prepared for a little bit better of a fighter. I wasn’t on my A-game.”
Jones and Sigmon had crossed paths several times before they fought, but their weight differences always ruled out a bout.
But when super-middleweight Sigmon broke his hand and gained weight, he found himself primed to stand across the man he idolised growing up.
The Virginia native well forever be thankful of the experience Jones afforded him in the icon’s farewell fight.
Sigmon said: “To have accomplished everything he’s done and to act the way he acts, and carried himself, it’s incredible.
“After the fight everybody was trying to get to the press conference, it was so exciting. Nobody gave a s*** about me.
“Roy asked to see my mother, and he cut my mum in front of everybody.
“And he put his hand on her shoulder and said, ‘You should be proud of your son he done a great job here tonight’.
“She started crying and he didn’t have to do that.
“I know it’s hard to say about a guy you shared the ring with and beat the hell out of for 30 minutes but he’s a really genuine, sweet caring and nice guy.”
Jones retired in 2018 but will return for his exhibition against Mike Tyson Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Sigmon has had six fights since facing Jones, winning four.
He also coaches at his own gym, called The Hurt Factory and promotes local shows, which has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Sigmon hopes to return in early 2021 and will be waiting for any opportunity to pull off an upset against any unassuming up and comers.
He said: “I’m looking to get a guy who was at the top, had a lost and is trying to get back. And I fight that guy.
“Or fight like a rising Olympian and pull off the upset.
“Let’s be honest, I’m not going to be fighting no Canelo Alvarez’s or Artur Beterbiev’s unless they get real desperate!
“I’m going to be back on weight around February and I’ll be calling DAZN, ESPN, bothering the hell out of the matchmakers just to get a fight.”
Roy Jones Jr, 51, shows off incredible hand speed ahead of Mike Tyson fight
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
