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Boxing - Jones - History in the making?

From the Guardian Series, first published Thursday 27th Feb 2003.

Forgetting all that Lewis-Tyson stuff, this Saturday sees probably the most intriguing Heavyweight contest in recent years.

Undisputed Light-Heavyweight king Roy Jones steps up to challenge Champion John Ruiz for his WBA crown.

No mean feat this.

Worthy of a claim to being the best pound for pound fighter on the planet today, Jones will be giving up somewhere in the region of two stone against Ruiz as he looks to get his hands on a piece of the richest prize in sport. And plenty of cash, too!

The 34 year-old has been denied a real challenge in his career for sometime, arguably he's never really been put through the mill.

Not through he's own fault either, Jones really has been too good for the opposition in every division he's fought in.

However this is an ultimate challenge, if successful he'll be only the second Middleweight and fourth Light-Heavyweight world champion to step up and win the Heavyweight crown.

I'd say he has a decent chance, interestingly the bookies have also made him favourite despite the obvious disadvantages.

Ruiz is no Lewis.

Jones will look to box on the outside and hope he's retained the speed and reflexes with added weight to keep him away from a genuine Heavyweight punch. The first time Ruiz lands, we should know the outcome.

I'm sure many will feel this fight is an advertisement for how stale the Heavyweight division has become.

Once the pride of the sport, the fact that this fight is even happening is evidence alone that there little out there to capture the imagination.

Still that isn't Roy Jones' problem, he's looking to take advantage, make money and some history along the way.

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