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http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/mo...tchup_w.htmlBY TIM SMITH
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Tuesday, April 8th 2008, 4:00 AM
Smith for News
Roy Jones, Jr.
Roy Jones, Jr. said he was minding his own business, waiting for something to shake loose in the light heavyweight division, when someone called him and told him that he was being called out by Anderson Silva, one of the stars from the UFC.
Jones was told that Silva had challenged Jones to a boxing match. Jones said he made contact with Silva and his manager two weeks ago and they were moving forward with a deal for a fight at 180-188 pounds. Jones said Dana White, UFC President, stepped in and stopped the fight.
Jones said he was told that White stopped the match because he didn't want to embarrass the UFC if Jones were to KO Silva in the first round of a boxing match.
"I don't see how it could discredit the UFC," Jones said. "The guy has boxed before and he's a tall, slick, left handed fighter. That gives everybody problems. It would be a good fight. As fighters we're supposed to be trying to do things that amaze people and make history. This could have been something that people really wanted to see.
"I just think it's wrong not to allow him (Silva) to get the opportunity to live out his fantasy to be in the ring with one of his heroes. That's the kind of thing that boxing promoters usually do."
White did not return an email message seeking comment on why he would not allow Silva to box Jones.
"I think it's unfortunate," said John Wirt, a partner with Jones in his Square Ring Promotions company. "It could have been a good fight. It could have been a major draw for boxing and the MMA world."
While Jones thought a boxing match with Silva would be a good idea, it points to the fundamental differences in the two sports. From a business standpoint, the UFC participants are signed to exclusive promotional deals with the UFC. They don't even fight other mixed martial arts fighters outside of the UFC. Boxers are signed to different promoters, but they don't just have to fight boxers signed to their promoters. The sanctioning organizations mandate that championships have to be defended, no matter who promotes a boxer. The UFC sanctions its own championship matches as well as promotes them.
Silva (21-4 in MMA) has boxed before, going 1-1. But the 32-year-old Brazilian is noted as one of the best mixed martial arts fighters in the sport and is 6-0 in the UFC. Jones, 39, a former middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight champion, said there was no way that he is going to try competing in mixed martial arts.
"If I had a high school wrestling background, I'd be willing to try that stuff (mixed martial arts)," Jones said. "But I'm lost on the ground."
"He's got a lot of heart and I have nothing but respect for him for wanting to take on the best in boxing."
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Tuesday, April 8th 2008, 4:00 AM
Smith for News
Roy Jones, Jr.
Roy Jones, Jr. said he was minding his own business, waiting for something to shake loose in the light heavyweight division, when someone called him and told him that he was being called out by Anderson Silva, one of the stars from the UFC.
Jones was told that Silva had challenged Jones to a boxing match. Jones said he made contact with Silva and his manager two weeks ago and they were moving forward with a deal for a fight at 180-188 pounds. Jones said Dana White, UFC President, stepped in and stopped the fight.
Jones said he was told that White stopped the match because he didn't want to embarrass the UFC if Jones were to KO Silva in the first round of a boxing match.
"I don't see how it could discredit the UFC," Jones said. "The guy has boxed before and he's a tall, slick, left handed fighter. That gives everybody problems. It would be a good fight. As fighters we're supposed to be trying to do things that amaze people and make history. This could have been something that people really wanted to see.
"I just think it's wrong not to allow him (Silva) to get the opportunity to live out his fantasy to be in the ring with one of his heroes. That's the kind of thing that boxing promoters usually do."
White did not return an email message seeking comment on why he would not allow Silva to box Jones.
"I think it's unfortunate," said John Wirt, a partner with Jones in his Square Ring Promotions company. "It could have been a good fight. It could have been a major draw for boxing and the MMA world."
While Jones thought a boxing match with Silva would be a good idea, it points to the fundamental differences in the two sports. From a business standpoint, the UFC participants are signed to exclusive promotional deals with the UFC. They don't even fight other mixed martial arts fighters outside of the UFC. Boxers are signed to different promoters, but they don't just have to fight boxers signed to their promoters. The sanctioning organizations mandate that championships have to be defended, no matter who promotes a boxer. The UFC sanctions its own championship matches as well as promotes them.
Silva (21-4 in MMA) has boxed before, going 1-1. But the 32-year-old Brazilian is noted as one of the best mixed martial arts fighters in the sport and is 6-0 in the UFC. Jones, 39, a former middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight champion, said there was no way that he is going to try competing in mixed martial arts.
"If I had a high school wrestling background, I'd be willing to try that stuff (mixed martial arts)," Jones said. "But I'm lost on the ground."
"He's got a lot of heart and I have nothing but respect for him for wanting to take on the best in boxing."
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