By Luke Furman
As previously reported, 44-year-old former four division world champion Roy Jones Jr. (57-8, 40KOs) is still looking to fight a recognizable name from the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. Jones is now looking to tangle with 30-year-old Nick Diaz (26-9 in MMA), who suffered back to back decision losses to Carlos Condit and Georges St. Pierre.
A few years ago, Diaz actually considered the possibility of leaving MMA to start a career in boxing, but changed his mind.
For the past twelve months, Jones was hoping to face 38-year-old former UFC champion Anderson Silva (33-6 in MMA, 16-2 in the UFC). But on Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Jones was sitting ringside and witnessed his dream of a Silva fight go up in smoke when Silva was stopped in the second round by Chris Weidman (11-0). It was Silva's second stoppage loss this year, but this time he badly broke his left shin in the contest. Silva's injury will take as much as six months to fully heal, with many experts predicting that he will never fight again.
Jones has already spoken with UFC president Dana White about his desire to face Diaz. White told Jones "he would think about it."
Jones appears to want the cross-sport contest to be regulated under the rules of boxing - and because of that UFC heavyweight contender and FOX Sports analyst Daniel Cormier is giving Diaz a better shot to beat Jones - because he says Diaz is a better boxer than Silva.
“I truly believe that Nick Diaz, in a pure boxing match, actually stands a slightly better chance than Anderson because he is a little better boxer than Anderson Silva,” said Cormier.
However, Cormier still admits that although Jones is quickly approaching the age of 45 - Diaz would still be a huge underdog in the contest.
"Am I saying Nick Diaz is going to beat Roy Jones Jr? Even at 44-years-old....slap me if I do," Cormier said.
UFC fighter Chael Sonnen does not believe the fight will ever happen.
"The ridiculousness and the probability of it ever happening on a sanctioned event in an octagon is zero. They are not going to box in an octagon. It will never happen," Sonnen said.
Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org