Boxing Match Between Roy Jones Jr. and Kimbo Slice Planned for December

The Jamaica Observer reported today that boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. will take on streetfighter turned failed MMA fighter turned professional boxer Kimbo Slice. The bout is reportedly being planned for Montego Bay some time in December, but it will also be available on Pay-Per-View in the United States.

The Boxing Writers Association of America awarded the Jones the “Fighter of the Decade” award for the 1990s. He became famous for his incredible movement and his lightning-fast left hand, both of which he used to defeat such iconic fighters as Bernard Hopkins, James Toney and Antonio Tarver. His record stands at 56-8 with 40 knockouts. However, the 41-year-old Jones’ career appears to be nearly over; he has lost three of his last five bouts.

Nonetheless, if this bout does take place, it would still mark a tremendous step up in competition for the 36-year-old Slice – also known by his real name of Kevin Ferguson. Although he has compiled a 5-0 record with 4 knockouts in his brief boxing career, he has done so against less than stellar competition; all of his boxing opponents to date have borne losing records.

Although Slice would be at a significant disadvantage in terms of speed and boxing skill and technique, he does possess solid knockout power in both hands. A victory for Jones, then, is certainly not a foregone conclusion, although Slice can expect to be a major underdog when the betting line is released.

At the launch event for the bout, Jones summed the matchup up thus: “He’s a big streetfighter with a lot of power, so early in the fight he can be very dangerous…but as the fight goes on, my mental experience should take over. But for the first five rounds he will be very deadly.”