Brazilian mixed martial arts legend Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort believes his cross-sport boxing challenge has been accepted by former four division champion Roy Jones Jr.
Last week, Belfort came out of retirement and signed a promotional agreement with Asian mixed martial arts company, ONE Championship.
And then for whatever reason Belfort called for a cross-sport boxing match with Jones.
Back in 2017, the biggest and most financially lucrative cross-sport clash in history took place when Floyd Mayweather unretired to score a ten round stoppage over UFC star Conor McGregor.
Belfort, and ONE Championship, will likely aim to make some bank from the Mayweather-McGregor success.
“One fight I’d really love is me against Roy Jones Jr.,” Belfort told MMA Fighting.
“Roy, wherever you are, I wanna come challenge you for boxing match but with this condition: I’m gonna be able to dirty box with you.”
A few days later, the 50-year-old Jones responded - by accepting the fight as long as he was provided with an adequate amount of time to train. Jones has been out of the ring since February 2018, but he's willing to dust off the gloves for one more fight.
"This is what I do for a living. Y'all must've forgot. That's who I am. I love a battle. I love a challenge. So, if that's what you want, that's what you get. Ain't like you gotta ask me twice," Jones told TMZ Sports.
"Well, I would like eight weeks [to train forBelfort], cause I like to get right. I need two extra weeks just to make sure I can showboat. But, six weeks, I can whip you. I got nothing but the utmost respect for you. You were a helluva MMA fighter. You one of the best of all time. But, when it comes to boxing, this is what I do. I'm the ruler. I'm the king of this thing. Ya understand me? Since Muhammad Ali is not on Earth anymore, I don't think there's nothing ever on this Earth as bad as I am with these hands."
After getting word of Jones' statements, Belfort was overwhelmed took to social media. He is under the impression that everything is set for a fight.
"I was in the middle of filming for an upcoming project, which I’m excited to share with you all soon, when I got the official response from Roy Jones Jr - so I thought I would share that little moment with you all," Belfort stated.
"I am very excited for what’s to come with One Championship and this upcoming fight, I’m even more excited to be the first to bring you this new way of competition, it allows for the first time different worlds to collide in a way that’s fair and exciting! Thank you accepting Roy and I am looking forward to this fight!"