Roy Jones Fighting At 48, Meets Bobby Gunn Feb. 17

Fighters, they fight. It’s in the DNA, it’s embedded, particles of pugilism course through their veins, even after maybe it’s time where common sense says to find another job, or hobby, even.

Roy Jones is a fistic soldier. He is yes, past his prime. There is no shortage of folks who BEG him to hang up the gloves, enjoy his legacy, stick to the safer side, at the HBO announce table.

But fighters, they fight. They are still contemplating comeback, many if not most, long after the body and brain have shown to be in sync, sending messages that the end is not near, it’s now.

Roy Jones is 48 years old and is still soldiering. He hears it all the time, champ, hang em up.

But the same stubbornness which helped make him an all-time great and pound for pound ace is now still present, and keeping him from moving on to the enter the Hall of Fame phase of his life.

Jones (64-9) fights again Feb. 17, in Delaware. The Floridian faces off against Bobby Gunn, a 43 year old New jersey resident, who also has that fighting blood within. He’s done bare knuckle boxing for decades, and owns a 21-6 mark as a Queensberry boxer.

Gunn will meet Jones at the Chase Center in Delaware and their bout can be screened on pay per view.

I chatted with Gunn about the event.

“I’ve never felt this good in my entire career,” Gunn said. “Roy Jones Jr. has rejuvenated me, he has taken me to another level, the Bobby Gunn right now is the Bobby Gunn I always wanted to be. I truly do believe this is my time.”

Gunn knows the scuttlebutt, knows that many are saying that Jones is a shell, and that there will be pushback in the minds of some at the prospect of ponying up $30 to see him and Jones fight a cruiserweight tussle. He spoke to that:

“I would tell everybody to tune in to this fight and if they are close come see the fight in Wilmington, Delaware at the Chase Center because styles make fights,” Gunn said. “This fight should have happened 10 years ago, it never did, but it came close to happening three years ago and it fell through so now the third time's a charm. It is better now that the fight is happening, Roy Jones Jr. is an all-time great, he's a pound-for-pound king and I could not carry this man's jockstrap in his time…but right now I believe it is Bobby Gunn’s time. This is about legacy, it is more than any title on the line, it is legacy and I would tell everybody ‘don't miss this fight, it'll shock you, it will be one hell of a fight.’ The most important thing is that the good Lord blesses me and Roy both, and we’re not injured. I'm coming to fight, not survive, I'm going to give everything I got in me, I'm going out on my shield or I'm going to win big!”

Fighters fight, and my best intel tells me we have but one life to live. Bobby Gunn, and Roy Jones, they feel most alive whe they are training for a goal, when they are in active man to man combat. It is what it is…

Here is more info on the event:

Wilmington, DE (February 2, 2017)–On February 17th the “Skill vs. Will” card that will feature Roy Jones Jr. taking on Bobby Gunn for the WBF World Cruiserweight championship will originate from The Chase Center in Wilmington, Delaware and will distributed live on Pay-Per-View.
SKILL VS WILL will be distributed live throughout North America via cable and satellite in High Definition by New York-based MultiVision Media, Inc.

The broadcast will premiere on Friday, February 17th at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT and will be carried throughout the month on video-on-demand. Please consult your local guide for channels and encores in your area.

The suggested retail price is $29.99. The event will also be available worldwide on home computers, laptops, Smart TVs, iPhones, iPads, AppleTV, and Android devices on FITE-TV, Flipps, and other OTT (over-the-top) streaming services.

Tickets are on sale now ranging from $75 – $300 and can be purchased by calling (484) 935-3378 & www.firststatefights.com
Roy Jones, Jr. vs Bobby Gunn, promoted by David Feldman Promotions and the Casino at Delaware Park.