ONE Championship is currently negotiating a potential boxing fight between Roy Jones Jr. and Vitor Belfort.
Belfort recently joined ONE Championship and immediately called out Jones for a special-rules boxing fight.
“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.”
It didn’t take long for the boxing legend to respond to Belfort’s offer.
“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.
“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?”
It takes two to tango
At the ONE Championship: A New Era official press conference today in Tokyo, Japan, ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced that while the promotion is currently attempting to put the fight together, Jones is seemingly holding up the deal.
“We’re in discussion with Roy. I’d love to do it, definitely, but it takes two to tango,” Sityodtong stated.
“I know Vitor is all for it, I know Vitor will fight anybody, that’s why he is in ONE Championship. We love Vitor not only because he’s a phenomenal martial artist but he’s a wonderful human being and great role model for the world.”
“Roy Jones is obviously one of the greatest boxers of all-time. He’s lightning fast, has massive KO power and I think the world would be interested to see that kind of legend vs. legend fight.”