Roy Jones Jr. licensed to fight on Sunday in Phoenix
PHOENIX – The Arizona State Boxing & MMA Commission licensed Roy Jones Jr. and Vyron Phillips Friday, clearing the way for an unusual bout Sunday on an online pay-per-view card that will include wrestling and mixed-martial arts.
Phillips, a pro MMA fighter with amateur boxing experience, appeared before the commission, which voted 3-0 in favor of his application for a license that allows him to box for the chance to win $100,000 if he beats Jones.
The state’s regulatory agency also voted 3-0 to grant a license to Jones, who answered questions in a conference call. Jones was traveling.
The card, a URShow.tv event, is at Celebrity Theatre near downtown Phoenix. It is scheduled to begin at 6 pm (PST)/9 pm (EST). The PPV price is $11.99. The weigh-in is scheduled for Saturday, noon (PST), at Dave and Busters in the Tempe Marketplace.
Jones said the bout would be fought at 200 pounds. As of Friday, it had not been decided if it would be scheduled for six rounds or eight. The Commission recommended six.
The Commission granted Jones, 47, a license despite a brutal fourth-round knockout on Dec. 12 at the hands of Enzo Maccarinelli in Moscow.
Jones said he has been training 4 ¾ days a week for the last two months. He said he weighed 205 pounds on Friday. When asked if could he make weight on Saturday, the future Hall of Famer said:
“Yes, sir.”
Phillips has been fighting at 185 pounds in MMA. He said he last boxed in 2014 in an amateur bout. Phillips has been in Phoenix since Tuesday and training at Central Boxing, a few blocks from the Commission.
Phillips, of Minnesota and Canada, was picked to be Jones’ opponent through voting on Facebook. Phillips got 4,100 votes of 7,000 that were cast.
The card also includes Ken Shamrock-Dan Severn in an MMA bout and Kurt Angle-Rey Mysterio in pro wrestling.