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Two different boxers. Two different generations. Each with the same dream. Each is considered a boxer puncher who uses angles , speed and ring smarts to accomplish their goals. The difference is that one is considered at the end of his hall of fame career. While the other is currently considered one of the best in the world today. And while each man is active this weekend , it is not exactly the fight they had hoped for.
The names Roy Jones Jr. and Nonito Donaire are household names to the boxing faithful. Jones a bonafide superstar. Donaire with a can't miss superstar label.
Donaire made his mark when he gored the raging bull , also known as Vic Darchinyan. Darchinyan came into the fight with a reputation that could only be described as a bully. Vic relished that roll and loved to talk about how he would punish his opponents. Evidently , someone forgot to tell Nonito to be scared.
Donaire entered the ring as the quiet , unassuming underdog. The rest as they say , is history. Donaire walked out of the ring as the new flyweight champion of the world.
That was over two years ago. What should have followed was a string of high profile fights and much deserved recognition. Instead , Nonito's career seemed to stall. Problems with his promoter and a falling out with his father didn't help matters. Add in the fact that he had beaten the seemingly invincible Darchinyan and Donaire found that few fighters were willing to call him out.
Roy Jones Jr. needs no introduction. He already has a place awaiting him in Canastota. But Jones feels he can still pull some magic out of those once lightning fast hands. The one thing that may hurt Jones' chances at recapturing past glory is an old boxing axiom , as boxers age they retain their power , but lose speed and reflexes.
In his last try at catching lightning in a bottle , Jones was out hustled and most of the time , out boxed by Joe Calzaghe. Speed seemed to be on the side of Calzaghe most of that night.
But Roy still believes that the right fight on the right night will put him right back among the elite. Given that right fighter and Jones can still put on a clinic. A fighter made to order , such as Tito Trinidad , had Jones looking as sharp as he had been in six years.
So on Saturday night each man steps into the ring with the hope that it will lead to bigger and better things.
Donaire will fight Rafael Concepcion in Las Vegas. Jones will be entering the ring in Biloxi , Mississippi against Jeff Lacy.
Both will be listed as huge favorites. Sometimes that is a dangerous thing in sports because the favorite tends to overlook his opponent. Both men appear to be too professional and too focused for that to be an issue.
Even with a win , the two will still be trying to get that one fight. That one fight that makes one a true boxing superstar. The other hoping to rewrite history and have the name Jones mentioned along with the current crop of superstars. Each reaching for that star. And with their talent and smarts , I wouldn't bet against either one catching it.
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