The former pound for pound king, Roy Jones Jr, and the current pound for pound king, Manny Pacquiao have a lot in common.
I remember the day when Manny was eating his dinner in the Thai restaurant next to Wild Card Gym, and I handed him my phone. Manny looked at me and said, “Who is it?” I said, “Someone wants to say hello.” Manny got on the phone and on the other end it was Roy Jones Jr.
Manny’s eyes lit up and a big smile came across his face. The two legends chatted for a few minutes with Roy wishing Manny luck for his upcoming fight.
Both men know what it is like to be the king of the hill. Both men know what it’s like to be the very best in the world at their craft.
Roy Jones Jr has gone on the record several times and has publicly praised and complimented Manny Pacquiao. Roy likes how Manny fights, and he likes how Manny trains. He also admires what Manny does outside of the ring.
Roy Jones Jr also is very good at giving back. He recently sponsored an amateur boxing tournament in Florida. Roy not only paid for it, but he also personally put the ribbons on the fighters after each fight. Roy then took photos with every kid in the tournament. It’s this kind of thing that shows the true character of a man.
Both Manny and Roy have demonstrated what being a true champion is all about. Both men have accomplished greatness in the ring, and both men have given back to their communities.
Pacquiao and Jones will both go down as all time greats. Both men given the pound for pound king title, and both representing boxing well.
Mississippians know Roy Jones Jr all to well. Roy has fought in this state numerous times and to this day he has a huge fan-base here. Roy has always been very good to his fans in Mississippi. He fought in Biloxi, MS on more than one occasion and with each fight, he packed the place out.
Earlier this year Roy made an appearance at a local fight card in Hattiesburg, MS. Once again, he stood and took photos with the fans for the entire evening. Pacquiao does the same thing. Manny hates to turn a fan down for a photo, or an autograph. He rarely will turn a fan down, and if he does its only because he has to be somewhere and is running late. He wont say no to a fan, perhaps his body guard, or someone else will, but not Manny.
Two legends, two pound for pound kings, both admire each other, and both represent boxing well.
