Roy Jones Plays Peacemaker

Roy Jones, Jr. Breaks Up Lashley-Guida

Skirmish at Press Conference

At the final press conference for Roy Jones' boxing/MMA card in Pensacola yesterday, MMAer Bobby Lashley read some excerpts at the podium of what Jason Guida had been saying in the press.  At that time, Guida shot back with, “This is a real fight.  Not what you have been used to.  This is not fake – these are real punches.”

When it was time to do the “face-off” photo, the matter escalated to the point where Guida grabbed Lashley by the throat.  “Promoter” Roy Jones, Jr. had to get between them to break it up.

The video is posted on you-tube.

Catch it here…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jl5FbH43EU

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Eight-time world boxing champion “Superman” Roy Jones, Jr. (52-5, 38 KOs) faces 4-time world title challenger Omar Sheika (27-8, 18 KOs) in the main event on the hybrid pro boxing/mixed-martial arts card, presented by Square Ring Promotions, in association with Hirsch Borao Boxing and the Pensacola Civic Center.

The pro boxing/MMA show is being distributed by Square Ring Promotions, Inc. at 9:00PM ET/6:00PM PT in North America on cable and satellite via iNDemand, TVN, DirecTV and Dish Network in the United States, as well as Viewer's Choice, Shaw Cable, Star Choice and Bell TV in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.

Tickets, priced at $128.00, $103.00, $78.00, $53.00 & $28.00 are on sale and available at all Ticketmaster locations, the Pensacola Civic Center Box Office and ticketmaster.com.

Jones, Sheika and Jones' trainer also spoke at the final press conference.

BOXING

Roy Jones Jr.: To have people come out and support me like this is a great feeling.  And all this trash talking that is going on it what it’s all about.

People are wondering why I have picked a big puncher like Omar Sheika to bring to my hometown.  You know I don’t do anything easy.  All these people are paying good money to come see the fights and we have to put on a good show.  They don’t want to see easy fights.  He’s 32 and this is an opportunity of a lifetime for him.  I owe my fans a tough fight, that’s why I brought in a guy like this.  You know he is going to be hungry.

I am 40-years now and I feel like I can go to 45.  I do it because I love what I do.

This is the kind of an event that the MMA fights go quick and the boxing fights last a while.  It is good for everybody.  I hope it goes well.  It is still two guys fighting in a ring.  Man-to-man is what it is supposed to be and that’s why fighting is great.

I wouldn’t put a fight like this together if I didn’t think it was the wave of the future.

I used to get nervous fighting in my hometown.  But I prepared for this fight the best I could.  By having my dad in camp, I got my skills tuned up again.

Jones’ trainer Alton Merkerson: It’s been a long time since Roy has fought in Pensacola and he has always promised to me that he would fight here again.  This is the first event of its kind and I am glad to be a part of it.  These are two veterans and both are warriors.  Both have worked very hard and prepared to their best for this competition on the 21st.

Omar Sheika: I’m in the best shape and this is the hardest I have trained in my whole life.  They got me in the best shape to be prepared for the best Roy Jones.  This is an opportunity of a lifetime.  This will begin the second chapter of my boxing career.  What he has accomplished, being an eight-time world champion, and I am here trying to get my first world title.

Maybe picking me wasn’t the smartest thing to do.  I am very excited about this fight.  On the 21st, there will be fireworks flying.

NOTE: Thanks to TSS U's “Anony,” for providing that awesome art!