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This article is from Maxboxing.
Hey guys, thought you might be interested to know that I’ve recently returned from spending some time in Roy Jones Jr’s camp and seeing him in training. My relations with Jones go back several years, and through this time he has relied on me for impartial advice on financial matters. I’ve always been more than happy to oblige since it gives me some ‘inside knowledge’ in the run up to his fights. You can imagine therefore, that it was no surprise when Jones invited me to come down to the camp to talk with him and watch him spar a little – that in itself was nothing unusual. But more then that, I haven’t seen Jones at this level of motivation in the run up to a fight in years. In terms of raw emotional drive and desire I really believe he is at his absolute peak.
You might find it interesting to know that Jones has been working more then ever on technical aspects of his game. He told me he has been working very hard on getting rid of a few ‘bad habits’ that he can’t get away with anymore. Obviously I’m in a sensitive position here, but without giving away too much I can safely say that Jones’ camp have been working on something they think is a little unexpected, that Tarver will have tremendous difficulties in dealing with. Several times throughout my stay he and the team around him mad reference to his ‘trick up his sleeve’.
Jones tells me he felt flat in his last fight with Johnson. He said as soon as he stepped in the ring he knew something wasn’t right. He did all but tell me that he was embarrassed by his performance. Luckily I’m a great reader of people ( something poker taught me) and all the signs were there. I think that might well be why he’s stepped up the physical side of his training in his preparation too.
As a result, his physical conditioning is outstanding. He was bragging to me about how if wanted to he could win the fight with his right hand alone. He says he can hit Tarver to the body at will. Not only that, but everyone keeps telling him that he’s in great shape and I could see that before I even watched him in the ring. Once in the ring though he definitely looks sharper and more powerful than I can ever remember him being. I think his whole demeanor has changed, he radiates confidence in and outside the ring.
I’m telling you – I meant what I said earlier about Jones being the most motivated I have ever seen him. We had a long discussion about direction and where he felt he was going in life. He told me since his two knockout losses in a row he felt something, something he hasn’t felt since he was robbed of the gold medal in Seoul. Something I the he was lacking in his fight with Johnson. All the false bravado in the world wasn’t enough to fool me. But believe me I know it’s not going to happen again. You see Jones is serious now. When I look into his eyes I can tell he knows this is his last chance. If he loses this fight he will have to end his boxing career in the worst possible way.
When I watched Jones it really struck me that there comes a time in a man’s life, at least once, that he faces the most important battle he ever will. All these years of learning to swim are just a prequel, to something greater and far beyond. Some men will choke at this point, capsizing their careers and drowning their personal lives in the process, but the few great people among us only become greater. These people’s names are written in the history books.
Gentlemen, it has been written that every truly great champion has at least on Great fight left in him. One moment where he puts it all together on last time, when the earth quakes, the pillars in heaven shake, and he summons every last ounce of strength in him to muster out his final victory. Gentlemen, you are about to witness one of those times.
Hey guys, thought you might be interested to know that I’ve recently returned from spending some time in Roy Jones Jr’s camp and seeing him in training. My relations with Jones go back several years, and through this time he has relied on me for impartial advice on financial matters. I’ve always been more than happy to oblige since it gives me some ‘inside knowledge’ in the run up to his fights. You can imagine therefore, that it was no surprise when Jones invited me to come down to the camp to talk with him and watch him spar a little – that in itself was nothing unusual. But more then that, I haven’t seen Jones at this level of motivation in the run up to a fight in years. In terms of raw emotional drive and desire I really believe he is at his absolute peak.
You might find it interesting to know that Jones has been working more then ever on technical aspects of his game. He told me he has been working very hard on getting rid of a few ‘bad habits’ that he can’t get away with anymore. Obviously I’m in a sensitive position here, but without giving away too much I can safely say that Jones’ camp have been working on something they think is a little unexpected, that Tarver will have tremendous difficulties in dealing with. Several times throughout my stay he and the team around him mad reference to his ‘trick up his sleeve’.
Jones tells me he felt flat in his last fight with Johnson. He said as soon as he stepped in the ring he knew something wasn’t right. He did all but tell me that he was embarrassed by his performance. Luckily I’m a great reader of people ( something poker taught me) and all the signs were there. I think that might well be why he’s stepped up the physical side of his training in his preparation too.
As a result, his physical conditioning is outstanding. He was bragging to me about how if wanted to he could win the fight with his right hand alone. He says he can hit Tarver to the body at will. Not only that, but everyone keeps telling him that he’s in great shape and I could see that before I even watched him in the ring. Once in the ring though he definitely looks sharper and more powerful than I can ever remember him being. I think his whole demeanor has changed, he radiates confidence in and outside the ring.
I’m telling you – I meant what I said earlier about Jones being the most motivated I have ever seen him. We had a long discussion about direction and where he felt he was going in life. He told me since his two knockout losses in a row he felt something, something he hasn’t felt since he was robbed of the gold medal in Seoul. Something I the he was lacking in his fight with Johnson. All the false bravado in the world wasn’t enough to fool me. But believe me I know it’s not going to happen again. You see Jones is serious now. When I look into his eyes I can tell he knows this is his last chance. If he loses this fight he will have to end his boxing career in the worst possible way.
When I watched Jones it really struck me that there comes a time in a man’s life, at least once, that he faces the most important battle he ever will. All these years of learning to swim are just a prequel, to something greater and far beyond. Some men will choke at this point, capsizing their careers and drowning their personal lives in the process, but the few great people among us only become greater. These people’s names are written in the history books.
Gentlemen, it has been written that every truly great champion has at least on Great fight left in him. One moment where he puts it all together on last time, when the earth quakes, the pillars in heaven shake, and he summons every last ounce of strength in him to muster out his final victory. Gentlemen, you are about to witness one of those times.
to your mom..
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