Anthony Pettis Earns ‘Home-Cookin’ Decision Over Roy Jones Jr.
Anthony Pettis earned his first victory as a pro boxer by beating Roy Jones Jr. in a fight that should have been awarded to ‘Captain Hook’.
Last night into the early hours of this morning, Gamebred 4 hosted its event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which was streamed live on PPV. Although the event had some solid fights, it was the main event that Big Fight Weekend was zoned in on as it featured boxing Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. facing MMA legend Anthony ‘Showtime’ Pettis.
The fight was Pettis’ pro debut, and the 54-year-old Jones Jr., also known as ‘Captain Hook,’ tried to beat someone who had never boxed professionally but was also 18 years younger than him. Don’t mention the age difference to Jones Jr, as he will probably blow off that comment. The last time Jones Jr. was in the ring, he faced Mike Tyson, and Jones Jr. did not look like he was in the best shape for that fight. Last night, Jones Jr. looked more like a fighter that was the P4P King at one point in his career.
From the start, Jones Jr. was pumping that left jab, and it seemed as if Pettis was caught off guard that Jones Jr. could have that much success with it. In typical Jones Jr. fashion, he had the vintage sway going, and Pettis looked lost. Throughout the fight, Jones would lean in and land that straight right hand while executing his jumping left hook to the body and head of Pettis. Although Pettis was applying pressure and trying to land some punches, he was hitting nothing but forearms on the high guard of Jones Jr.
That left hook from Jones Jr. was landing last night.Photo Credit:Phil Lambert/Gamebred Boxing
Pettis had his moments where he landed big overhand rights, but it wasn’t enough to win the fight. I scored the fight live and had it six rounds to two for Jones Jr., which Shawn Porter also had from ringside as he called the fight. But when the cards were ready, and the first one had a draw, you knew that the Milwaukee-born Pettis would get the decision in his hometown which he did (77-75, 78-74).
After the fight, Pettis said, “Man, he’s 54 years old, but you’ve got to give it up for this guy. He’s a legend in the sport, a GOAT (Greatest of All Time). Praise God for allowing me to get this opportunity. Give it up for Roy Jones Jr., man.” Pettis continued, “I’m going to take it one fight at a time, take it day by day. I’m 1-0 as a pro, and I’m excited for what the future holds.”
Anthony Pettis got the decision but didn’t win the fight.
Although fans would love to see Jones Jr. hang up the gloves and do other things within the sport, he seemed to be leaning towards continuing his career. Jones Jr. said, “I don’t do exhibitions; I fight real fights. I’m not an exhibition guy; I’m a real guy. I want to win, or I want to lose. But I’m going to go out on my shield, and I want to be able to do it again as many times as I want to. At 54 years old, that’s a beautiful thing, and he already said he’d do it again because one judge had it even. So that’s what I love.”
Let’s hope that Jones Jr. isn’t serious and wakes up this morning thinking that he doesn’t need to fight anymore, as we all do not want to see him get seriously hurt or slur his speech before his time. I enjoyed watching ‘Captain Hook,’ but it’s time for Jones Jr. to focus on something else.
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