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November 23, 2011
Thomas has big opportunity tonight
West ******ia cruiserweight champ to fight Roy Jones Jr. in Pittsburgh
By Gary Fauber Assistant Sports Editor
Jerry Thomas was in Pittsburgh to negotiate a fight in the popular MMA series when the conversation turned to Roy Jones Jr.
The 42-year-old eight-time former world champion has a pay-per-view fight scheduled for Dec. 10 in Atlanta and was in need of an exhibition match before that.
“So I suggested that they consider Bobby Thomas Jr. as his opponent, because Bobby is a cruiserweight and that is where Roy Jones is fighting now,” said Thomas, a promoter well known in West ******ia for the famous Toughman Competitions.
The suggestion will become reality tonight when Bobby Thomas Jr. faces the future Hall of Famer at Stage AE in Pittsburgh. The card will begin at 8 p.m.
Thomas (11-1, 8 knockouts) is excited about the opportunity that awaits on the eve of Thanksgiving.
“It’s a great opportunity that you don’t get every day,” he said. “I knew a little bit about (plans for the fight), but I wasn’t sure if I would get it.
“It’s going to be a great opportunity, just to be in the same ring as an eight-time world champion. He’s still one of the best in the world, in my opinion.”
Thomas is coming off his win over Keith Barr for the West ******ia heavyweight championship Nov. 5 in Fairlea. He now has the heavyweight and cruiserweight championships, although he will vacate the heavyweight belt.
“I’m not a heavyweight,” Thomas said Monday night after a workout. “I fought that basically just to say I did it. It means a lot (to win). Keith was tough and was undefeated, so it means a lot. We work hard every day in the gym for it.”
Thomas hopes to gain a lot more than just a win over one of the top fighters ever.
“Bigger fights,” he said. “This could open a lot of doors for me. I want some bigger fights out of state. I want a world championship. That’s still what I want. Hopefully, this opens the door for me.”
Plans call for that exact springboard for which Thomas hopes.
Among the other matches on tonight’s card is WBF America’s cruiserweight champ Andres “Taylor Made” Taylor taking on UT cruiserweight champion Gary “Pit Bull” Gomez. Jerry Thomas is working to get Thomas a fight for Taylor’s title in either January or February.
“This is an opportunity to showcase Bobby in front of fans in the Pittsburgh market,” Jerry Thomas said. “It may help build interest in a Thomas-Taylor fight.”
“That would be a big fight for me,” said Thomas, 30. “Hopefully that happens. I have seen him on tape but I will get to see him live (tonight). That would be a good title to have.”
But first, there is tonight’s match against Jones (54-8, 40 KOs). Jones was the Fighter of the Decade for the 1990s, and in 2003 became the first former middleweight champ to win a heavyweight title in 106 years.
Thomas knows all about Jones and has the utmost respect for him.
“I haven’t watched tape on him recently,” Thomas said. “I’ve probably watched him a hundred times. He’s good, he’s fast. He’s one of the best in the world. It’s going to be a good experience.”
— E-mail: gfauber@register-herald.com -
He just loves being in a ring where the spotlight is on him.Comment
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jones looked good as *** against jeff lacy, just saying. he did some crazy **** ive never seen any other fighter do.. he's faster than manny pacquiaoComment
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WTF? Headgear?
EDIT: Nvm. Thought this was the actual fight against Max Alexander.Last edited by DoktorSleepless; 11-24-2011, 09:03 PM.Comment
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Poor Roy.
What a slow lead hook, and with the long socks he doesn't look like RJJ, but more like Shamone Alvarez.Comment
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Roy just loves boxing too god damn much.Comment
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