Forgettable opponent

Englishman Woods a long shot to take Jones' crown

PORTLAND, Oregon (AP) -- While Roy Jones Jr. talks of big fights, his record is littered with no names who had no business getting into the ring with him.

The names may change but the results are always the same. Two or three times a year, Jones beats somebody no one has heard of before, keeps his light heavyweight titles and adds several more million to his already fat bank accounts.

On Saturday night, England's Clinton Woods will be added to that list of forgettable opponents when Jones defends his 175-pound titles at the Rose Garden arena. Just as the list grows, so does the criticism that Jones simply doesn't want to risk his impressive skills against anyone who might be any good.

It's criticism Jones doesn't want to hear.

"For some reason I can't seem to make a fight with nobody, except guys who deserve it and know it's their time," Jones said. "For me, from my standpoint, I'm the champ, I'm just champ. I'm the king of the hill. I don't care where they come from, this side or that side, it isn't my job to tell you who is next in line."

Woods gets his chance against Jones because he's the WBC's No. 1 contender, even though he has never ventured outside of his native England for any of his 33 fights.

But Jones arguably hasn't faced anyone who is a serious threat to him since he beat James Toney, Thomas Tate and Bernard Hopkins while fighting at 168 pounds in 1993 and 1994.

He's talked of moving up to heavyweight and fight WBA champion John Ruiz or trying to get Hopkins in a rematch, but instead fans get to see him against Woods.

So far that hasn't hurt Jones in Portland, where 12,000 tickets were sold as of Thursday for the first title fight in that city in four decades.

The fight, which will be televised by HBO beginning about 0200 GMT (10 p.m. EDT), tops a card that includes a junior middleweight title fight between IBF champion Winky Wright and Bronco McKart.

"I'm interested in guys who want my title," Jones said. "Clinton Woods wants my title so I'm giving him a chance. I hear a lot of people talk, but do you think the people of England would be happy if I didn't give their guy his opportunity? No, they wouldn't."

Jones is a prohibitive 13-1 favorite over Woods, but he would be a big favorite against anyone he goes into the ring with. To make a big pay-per-view fight he has to take a chance, and that's why he now says he's willing to fight Ruiz for the right money.

"I don't know how much weight I'd have to carry," Jones said. "As long as I'm taken care of (financially), I'll take the fight."

Though the 33-year-old Jones has talked before about fighting a heavyweight, his interest in Ruiz seems more sincere. HBO officials, in fact, are holding a Dec. 7 date for a possible Jones-Ruiz fight.

Jones promotes himself, but is basically bankrolled by HBO, which has him under contract for two more years.

"He knows it's time," said Ross Greenburg, president of HBO Sports. "How many of these fights can the public want? Clinton Woods will do nice ratings and showcase his talents but he needs to step up and see a real contender across the ring and fight for something meaningful. Ruiz would be just that."

Jones (46-1, 37 knockouts) doesn't figure to have much trouble against Woods, who learned to fight on the streets of Sheffield, England, and who has fought no one of any note in building a record of 32-1 with 19 knockouts.

Though he's far more talented than Woods, Jones says Woods can do one thing well -- take a punch. He figures to take a lot of them against a fighter whose skills are unparalleled in boxing today.

"He's a good survivor and can survive a big punch," Jones said. "I've seen him survive a lot of big punches and come back and win fights."

Woods thinks he can do just that against Jones.

"It definitely won't be a walkover like all the papers are saying," Woods said. "Believe it, I'm ready for a tough fight. Roy is a great champion and it will be a great fight."

 

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