Roy Jones Jr to make boxing return aged 54 and take on UFC hero Anthony Pettis in bizarre eight-round professional clash
ROY JONES JR is set to return to the ring to take on ex-UFC star Anthony Pettis.
The fight is set to be the main event on a pay-per-view card promoted by Jorge Masvidal’s Gamebred Boxing.
And it is one of several match ups that will see boxers clash with MMA fighters including Jose Aldo and Vitor Belfort.
Jones, 54, is set to fight Pettis in an eight-round clash that will take place on April 1 at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The former four-division champion has not entered the ring since taking on Mike Tyson in an exhibition bout in November 2020.
And he last fought professionally in February 2018 when he beat Scott Sigmon.
Pettis has never boxed and his last MMA fight was in August, suffering a second defeat in a row to Stevie Ray.
The 36-year-old was UFC Lightweight champion between 2014-25 but left the organisation in 2021.
Event organiser Masvidal revealed he has always been a fan of Jones and was keen to work with the boxing legend.
He told the MMA Hour: “I’ve always been a fan of Roy Jones
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“Always wanted to work with Roy Jones in some capacity. He’s going to be fighting someone that inspired me in my career numerous times. WEC champion, UFC champion, I think both his wins for the UFC title were finishes.
“[Pettis] has knockouts and finishes at 145, 155, 170, it’s crazy what this guy has done in his career in MMA. Great striker.
“He agreed to fight the walking, living legend, the pound-for-pound king, one of the best fighters, athletes, I’ve ever seen in combat sports, period, versus Anthony Pettis.”