Former four division world champion Roy Jones Jr. wants a piece of former WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew, according to Bellew's head trainer Davd Coldwell.
Jones (65-9, 47 KOs), 48 years old, has been out of the ring since a February wipeout of bare-knuckle brawler Bobby Gunn. Prior to that, in 2016, he picked up two easy wins - including a two round stoppage over a fan who won a contest to face him.
Jones has now won three in a row since getting knocked out cold by Enzo Maccarinelli in 2015. Maccarinelli himself is already retired from the sport, but Jones has refused to walk away from the spotlight.
Bellew on the other hand is riding the best run of his entire career, with an huge upset win in March when he move dup to the heavyweight division to stop former world champion David Haye in the eleventh round.
“The thing is, I know Roy Jones really well and whenever I’ve seen him in the States he’s asked me about fighting Tony, especially since Tony won the cruiserweight title,” Bellew’s trainer, Dave Coldwell, told Boxing News.
“I had a message from him a few weeks ago where he was asking for the fight, no disrespect to Roy Jones but it’s not something Tony would entertain, he shouldn’t be boxing as far as we’re concerned. He’s not the name that he used to be, it’s not an option really.”
Bellew is currently in talks to return in the fall, and there are three options being discussed - a rematch with Haye, WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker and IBF, WBA, WBO light heavyweight champion Andre Ward.
But, Bellew has made it clear that he won't face one of his idols.
"I will never fight him. Never let your idols become your rivals. I’ve idolised that man since I was a kid, he’s the greatest fighter that ever lived. If he retired after the John Ruiz fight everyone would agree with me. He’s a legend and an icon, and I’m so proud that he knows me. I will never fight him," Jones told Boxing News.
