On Friday, February 17, 2017, 48-year-old Roy Jones Jr. (65-9, 47 KOs) stepped into the ring against bare knuckle boxing legend, Bobby Gunn (21-7-1, 18 KOs).
The fight, which took place at Chase Center in Wilmington, Delaware, aired live on pay-per-view.
Jones came out in Round 1 fighting at a slow, measured pace. Gunn obliged as he simply followed Jones around and even when he had Jones backing up on the ropes, he would only throw a limp jab.
In Round 2, Jones began moving around with his hands held low, smiling and showing some decent hand speed while Gunn continued to follow, more in awe of the legend than actually trying to hurt him.
Short feints would throw Gunn off balance and it became obvious early on that even at this stage in the game, Jones is just on another level.
Round 3 saw Jones begin to pick away at Gunn’s body with long jabs. Always the showman, Jones continued to lean in with his hands held low as Gunn offered little to nothing in return.
Rounds 4, 5 and 6 produced much of the same with Jones comfortable and popping Gunn with one-two combinations while lunging in and out of range.
Jones continued to talk to the crowd and looked to be thoroughly enjoying himself.
In Round 7, Jones hit Gunn with a quick three piece that stumbled Gunn. A bloodied Gunn made it out of the round, but he wouldn’t get a chance to come back out as his corner called the fight.
The official stoppage came at seven seconds into Round 8, giving Jones the WBF Cruiserweight title to add to his mantle.
“Bobby is a real tough opponent. There were times maybe that I could’ve taken him out earlier, but I respect him,” said Jones after the fight who was appreciative of the large crowd that showed up to watch the fight.
When asked what’s next, Jones was pretty honest and simply wants to take it one fight at a time.
“I will do all that I can and make the best of each situation,” said Jones.
Gunn spoke the same way he fought, simply in awe of Jones.
“Getting in the ring with Roy Jones Jr. was the shining moment of my life. Roy you’re one hell of a man.”
Gunn also seemed happy to call it career after losing the biggest fight of his career.
“He’s the greatest man I ever fought in my life,” said Gunn.
Roy Jones Jr. Dominates and Stops Bobby Gunn by TKO https://t.co/ycd2tqXiVE #JonesGunn #Boxing #RBRBoxing pic.twitter.com/qPpOe2AKK3
— RoundByRoundBoxing (@RBRBoxing) February 18, 2017
