Roy Jones Jr. has challenged Floyd Mayweather Jr. to a legitimate in-ring showdown, reigniting a simmering feud between two of boxing’s most iconic champions. Speaking ahead of the Berlanga-Sheeraz card, Jones dismissed the idea of an exhibition and urged Mayweather to meet him in a sanctioned fight.
“There ain’t gonna be no exhibition,” Jones told Seconds Out. “We both fight for real. What are we gonna play for? We need to make it real.”
Jones, 56, holds a 66-10 (47 KOs) record and is widely regarded as one of the most gifted fighters of his generation. Mayweather, undefeated at 50-0 (27 KOs), last fought professionally in 2017 but has remained active in exhibitions. Their war of words, however, centers less on activity and more on legacy.
The conflict escalated after Mayweather posted a video comparing Jones and Muhammad Ali, claiming both relied too heavily on their legs for defense. He argued their decline began when age robbed them of their movement—opening the door for losses. Jones fired back, criticizing Mayweather’s self-designation as “The Best Ever,” claiming that title only applies to his earnings, not his impact.
In response, Mayweather posted highlight reels of Jones being knocked out by Antonio Tarver, Glen Johnson, and Danny Green. The message was clear: Jones had already been exposed in the ring. Despite the online sparring, no formal talks have occurred between their camps. Still, Jones remains confident a bout could materialize, saying Mayweather’s team knows how to find him.
Jones last fought professionally in 2023, losing a majority decision to former UFC champion Anthony Pettis. Before that, he notched a few victories over lesser-known opponents but hadn’t scored a major win since 2011. Mayweather, meanwhile, has stayed in the public eye through exhibition bouts against influencers and MMA fighters, maintaining his celebrity while avoiding real risk.
A fight between the two would present significant hurdles. Floyd Mayweather Jr. has never fought above 154 pounds, while Jones made history in the 2000s as a dominant light heavyweight who even captured a version of the heavyweight crown. The weight discrepancy and age gap—Jones is eight years older—add further complications to an already unlikely matchup.
Former pound-for-pound king Andre Ward weighed in, offering a balanced view of the rivalry. “They’re fighters. They’re sensitive about their work and their legacies,” Ward said. “Even if they’re 70, they’re gonna be talking like this.”
Ward declined to take sides, instead noting how common it is for fighters to defend their legacies long after their primes. “I just understand it,” he added.
For now, the rivalry remains rhetorical. But with both men still passionate about their legacies and willing to engage, the door—however slim—remains open for one more high-profile clash. Whether it happens inside the ropes or remains an ongoing verbal battle, the debate over who’s truly the greatest continues to stir boxing’s biggest personalities.
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