'I love firsts'… Boxing legend details why he is choosing to attend UFC 306 over Canelo Alvarez fight on bumper night in Las Vegas
09/14/2024 12:57 PM
Boxing icon Roy Jones Jr will skip Canelo Alvarez’s latest world title defence in favor of UFC 306 tonight in Las Vegas.
Combat fans on site in Nevada will have to choose between UFC 306 and Alvarez vs Edgar Berlanga, with Dana White and Turki Alalsheikh going head-to-head with boxing’s biggest star. The MMA outfit also have the added bonus of taking on the first sporting event to be held at The Sphere.
And it appears that some of the biggest names in boxing are heading off the strip and avoiding the sport’s biggest star, in favour of UFC’s massive pay-per-view. Jones is one of a number of noteworthy athletes making the choice to check out the $20million showcase instead of heading to T-Mobile Arena.
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Roy Jones Jr chooses UFC 306 over Canelo Alvarez vs Edgar Berlanga
Legendary multiple-weight world champion Roy Jones Jr is considered one of the best fighters of all time. And while he sometimes competes in exhibitions and even pro outings into his 50s, he has made a major name for himself as a coach and television analyst.
He is in Las Vegas on business this week, but had opted against going to watch boxing’s current biggest star Canelo Alvarez. Instead, he will be heading out to watch Dana White’s highly-anticipated $20million showcase at The Sphere.
During the inaugural episode of The Ariel Helwani Show live at The Venetian, Jones was asked if he would be attending the Alvarez fight. He shook his head no, before telling Helwani that he was more interested in the groundbreaking UFC offering.
"They got a historic MMA fight going on in The Sphere, and I wanna see that,” Jones said, much to the veteran MMA reporter’s delight. “I’m highly excited about it. I love doing and attending things like that. You’ve got to remember we were the first to take boxing into Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
“So, I love firsts, that's when you're really breaking ground you're setting a path, you’re not following a trail, you’re burning a trail. [Boxing] better learn from the UFC, but the other good thing is, why aren’t me and [Jim Lampley] commentating? Because they want to pay people cheap labour!"
Oscar De La Hoya puts Dana White feud aside to attend UFC 306
Jones is not the only boxing legend who will be in attendance tonight either. He will be joined by Oscar De La Hoya, who is putting aside one of the most bitter feuds in combat sport to attend a show promoted by the UFC.
He will be joining Turki Alalsheikh, the Saudi Arabian boxing mogul who has quickly become one of the most popular figures in the sport after putting together many of the ring’s biggest fights. Of course, De La Hoya’s attendance is part of an even larger feud.
His ability to attend a Dana White show indicates another shot in his cold war with ex-promotional client Alvarez. The pair almost came to blows during the promotion for the Mexican’s last fight with Jaime Munguia, and it may be the only feud De La Hoya maintains more intensely than his one with White.
"I'll actually be attending at the UFC event at the Sphere instead," De La Hoya said in an Instagram video after mocking Alvarez for taking part in what he branded a ‘snoozefest’. "Now, I love the sport of boxing more than anything.
“I will be watching boxing matches anywhere and anytime. Even if it's a simple sparring session or two bums fighting in the street. So the idea I'm choosing to attend the UFC and support Dana White instead of Canelo tells you everything you need to know."
