Roy Jones likely to fight Omar Sheika on March 21
by SC on Jan 19, 2009 1:28 PM EST
in News Analysis
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BoxingScene.com got word that Roy Jones, Jr., is in talks to headline an independently-produced pay-per-view event on March 21, against journeyman Omar Sheika.
What a...I don't know what the word I want would be. Rest assured this is absolutely no different than Jones' lame PPV fights against Prince Badi Ajamu and Anthony Hanshaw, and is simply a way for Jones to rack up a win against a guy who likely can't beat him no matter how faded he gets, which in turn positions Jones to tack on a W, stay out of the spotlight a little while staying active, and land a fight against another name guy in due time.
In short, I hate it, because it's just a ploy.
Sheika (27-8, 18 KO) is just a regular pug that keeps fighting on because that's what he does for a living. He's always been willing to fight just about anyone, and I like the guy as a fighter because of that. He'd come looking to put Roy on the canvas and finish his career. He's that sort of fighter. So in that regard, at least Roy's fighting a guy with hunger and a pulse if this goes through.
But he's just not good enough. Roy's natural skills, even depleted as he's just hit 40 (happy belated birthday, Roy!), are too much for a guy like Sheika to cope with. Sheika first lost to tomato can Tony Booth (28-44-7 entering that fight) back in 1998, but that was a fluke. His other losses have come to Joe Calzaghe, Thomas Tate, Eric Lucas, Scott Pemberton (twice), Jeff Lacy and Markus Beyer. He did beat Glen Johnson just before his 2000 fight with Calzaghe, but like most of Johnson's losses, it was debatable.
My reaction to this news is probably as predictable as Lake Michigan being cold this time of year, but even though I'm shouting down a well with this one, it deserves to be said. Anyone that pays to see Jones-Sheika (and I might be one of them) will almost certainly get the sham it looks like on paper.
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It is a traveshamockery. I don’t expect more than 10,000 buys even if the cable or satellite companies are interested in showing this.
by Zocalo on Jan 19, 2009 2:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yeesh
Jones managed to find a fighter even more shot than he is.
Vogt early, Vogt often.
by Brickhaus on Jan 19, 2009 4:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Via Dan R from ESPN…
Jones, the all-time great former champion in four divisions who turned 40 last Friday, will face Omar Sheika at the Pensacola Civic Center on March 21 in a light heavyweight fight, John Wirt, CEO of Jones promotional company Square Ring, told ESPN.com Monday, confirming a report last week on ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights.”
“We’ve done a deal with Sheika,” Wirt said. “I think it’s a great fight for Roy and we’re excited to be able to do it in his hometown. I know Roy is excited to bring a quality event to Pensacola.”
Although Jones (52-5, 38 KOs) lost a lopsided decision to champion Joe Calzaghe in New York on Nov. 8, he has no intention of retiring just yet, Wirt said.
“Roy hasn’t fought in Pensacola since 1999 and he really wanted to bring a fight home to his fans,” Wirt said.
In a twist, Wirt said the pay-per-view card would include mixed martial arts bouts along with boxing matches.
“We’re working on that right now,” Wirt said. “By combining Roy’s boxing match and other boxing matches with MMA fights, we are planning on drawing from both boxing and MMA fan bases. We believe that the demographics of boxing and MMA are distinct, so we are trying to introduce boxing fans to MMA and MMA fans to boxing. That’s the business model.”
Boxing matches and MMA bouts have appeared together on shows from time to time, but not at the top level of either sport or on a pay-per-view basis.
“We believe the biggest market out there of boxing is MMA fans and this gives them an opportunity to see a quality boxing event,” Wirt said. “It also gives boxing fans a chance to see some compelling MMA matches. We’re still putting the rest of the card together but Roy believes this is a good business opportunity.”
Wirt said the Florida commission has given Square Ring the green light for a show combining both sports. The MMA matches, Wirt said, will take place in a traditional boxing ring. However, he said a fifth rope will be added to the ring and the ring apron will be extended by a few feet to make it more unlikely that any MMA competitors, who often grapple on the ground, would fall out of the ring.
by Zocalo on Jan 19, 2009 6:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
it will be atrocious on both sides
"I decided to become a basketball fan this year and it’s not working out so well because the Wizards SUUUCK. So then I shifted to hockey. That’s pretty fun except there are a lot of flashing lights and horns and shit at the game."
by SC on Jan 19, 2009 11:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
"Boxing matches and MMA bouts have appeared together on shows from time to time, but not at the top level of either sport"
And after this card, it STILL won’t be on the top level of either sport.
Vogt early, Vogt often.
by Brickhaus on Jan 20, 2009 11:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
“Wirt said the Florida commission has given Square Ring the green light for a show combining both sports. The MMA matches, Wirt said, will take place in a traditional boxing ring. However, he said a fifth rope will be added to the ring and the ring apron will be extended by a few feet to make it more unlikely that any MMA competitors, who often grapple on the ground, would fall out of the ring.”
I don’t see that likely happening. I’m willing to bet that the matches will probably be strike heavy if Wirt is booking.
Does Wirt have a MMA scout?
by RoyalB on Jan 21, 2009 10:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I actually saw the fight on the ESPN Sportcenter ticker….
by Zocalo on Jan 20, 2009 9:21 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Hey dudes...
Are you getting the Omar Sheika Pay-Per-View??? AWESOME!!!
It's not the size of the dog... It's whats in the fight of Bernard Hopkins! -BHOP
by blackpage on Jan 20, 2009 11:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I think it's a mistake
To assume that boxing fans want to watch MMA and vice versa, because as a boxing fan, I don’t want to see MMA. If I pay to see boxing, that’s all I plan on watching. Then again, anyone willing to pay to see this deserves to be swindled.
by MatM on Jan 20, 2009 12:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Enjoyed those fights Sheika had with Pemberton. His loss to Tate was quite bizarre. I never seen a fight he has won but i like him. He is pretty tough but been out a while. Roy is going to smile through this one.
I not keen on mixed events also. I dont go watch Utd and get Leeds Rhinos on second half.
Mainstream is brought to you ..
Underground you got to go there...
by dinkman on Jan 20, 2009 3:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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