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07/25/2006 Archived Entry: "Transcript for Roy Jones, Jr. Teleconference"
Transcript for Roy Jones, Jr. Teleconference
Giles Communications
Moderator: Vivek Sukumaran
Marc Ferris: I do want to welcome everyone to the phone conference call. I am Marc Ferris with Giles Communications. We are going to get started soon. I want to remind you Press Credentials are due before 5 pm Eastern time on July 23rd. It can be faxed to me at 914-696-4120 or email me at mferris@giles.com. F as in Frank, E-R-R-I S as in Sam @giles.com. If you need a form, please email me and I will send one up.
So, before we begin, you know, letting everyone fire away, I like to hear from all of the folks who want to a question, we will go down the list and if you want to state your name and affiliation we will come back to you in the order after everyone has registered. Again, we are going to get started soon. Press credential is due before 5:00 pm Eastern Time on July 23rd. Of course, we are here for a night of great boxing, "Hold Nothing Back", headlined by living legend Roy Jones Jr. who is challenging NABO light heavyweight champion Prince Badi Ajamu. The battle will take place at the Qwest Arena in Boise, Idaho, July 29th. It will be available on pay per view at 9:00 pm Eastern Time. Tickets are available at the Qwest Arena Box Office. Any other new journalist who want to register to ask the question?
Janet Johnson: Yes. Janet Johnson with the Orlando Times.
Marc Ferris: Hi Janet, how are you? Marc Ferris, Giles Communications.
Janet Johnson: Hello Marc.
Marc Ferris: It's an open line. I am going to -- we are just going to have to be -- we are just going to go down the list once everybody registers, we will have -- Ritch will say, a couple of introductory remarks and then we will get right to it.
Janet Johnson: Okay.
Marc Ferris: And then get right to it very soon.
Male Speaker: Marc, do you have the latest ticket account?
Marc Ferris: Ticket sales, you are going to have to ask Ritch.
Male Speaker: Okay.
Marc Ferris: And he will be on the line with the Prince very soon. Ritch, any word about the Prince?
Ritch Danner: Yeah. He should be on in a couple of minutes.
Oliver: This is Oliver (Teddy) of -- with Ring Magazine.
Marc Ferris: Hi Oliver, hey, how are you doing, Marc Ferris, Giles Communications.
Oliver: Hi Marc, how is it going?
Marc Ferris: Its great. We are going to take the questions one at a time. Prince Badi, he will join us very soon. Any other journalist who want to ask questions?
David Avila: Yes. This is David Avila for the Riverside Press Enterprise.
Marc Ferris: David Avila of Riverside Press Enterprise. Great. Welcome. Remember Press Credential is due before 5 pm Eastern Time, July 23rd. You can fax into me 914-696-4120 or email me at mferris@giles.com. When the Prince Badi shows up we will start the conference. Any other journalist who want to register to ask the question? Okay, we know that this is "Hold Nothing Back" headline by living legend Roy Jones Jr is challenging NABO light heavyweight champion, Prince Badi Ajamu. The battle will take place at the Qwest Arena in Boise, Idaho, July 29th. It will be available on pay per view at 9 pm Eastern Time. Tickets are available at the Qwest Arena Box Office. Ritch, is the Prince there?
Marc Ferris: For this call, we have Ritch Danner, Director of Operations of Sports and Entertainment Media who is promoting the fight. We also have Prince Badi Ajamu and Roy Jones Jr, all of them are in Boise. Before we get to the questions, Ritch wanted to greet everyone.
Ritch Danner: Hi, good afternoon. Thanks for joining this teleconference open questions for myself for the living legend Roy Jones Jr and Prince Badi, who will be participating in "Hold Nothing Back" (audio break) --
Marc Ferris: Okay. How are we doing? Everyone still on the line?
Female Speaker: Yes.
Marc Ferris: Okay, great. Ritch, did you finish your opening remark? Ritch, are you still with us?
Male Speaker: We lose Ritch.
Male Speaker: May be we will take the first question, of course, if its not for Ritch or the Prince?
Female Speaker: Okay. I would like to --
Marc Ferris: I am sorry. Dan -- we have Dan. We are going to do it one at a time in the order that we all registered. It's Dan --
Dan: From (Pensacola).
Marc Ferris: -- from Pensacola.
Dan: Okay. I appreciate it. Roy, are you there, man?
Roy Jones Jr: Yeah.
Dan: Well, the thing I want to ask -- the first thing I want to ask you is you know, with this fight and you know, this opponent and this venue, you know, in Boise and everything being kind of a far cry from some of the big stages and big names that you fought in the past. Have you had the kind of pump yourself up in anymore for this one or just allure of getting back into the ring after such a long lay off and not for you to fight?
Roy Jones Jr: Just the allure of not being in the ring is enough for me, man. I am just happy to be here, happy to be (indiscernible) happy to be fighting a guy like Prince Badi and I am looking forward to (indiscernible).
Dan: Okay, thank you.
Male Speaker: Could you -- please, I can't hear.
Marc Ferris: Yeah. It is a little hard to hear. But, if we could may be speak up and speak into the speaker, that would be great.
Operator: Mr. Sukumaran?
Male Speaker: Okay.
Operator: AT&T teleconference, Mr. Sukumaran, do you want me to check and see who has the hold music on?
Male Speaker: No, I think, we can hear pretty clear, thanks.
Operator: Oh okay.
Male Speaker: Thank you. Okay. Dan, any follow-ups?
Dan: No, I am okay for now. I want to (indiscernible) chance and I will come back.
Male Speaker: Andre with fightcom -- fight.com. Andre, do you have a question? Do we have Felix?
Felix Chavez: Yeah. Roy, you just talked about -- I know, you don’t want to look out at the next fight, but I guess, talked about what would you like to be down the road. I mean, what's -- what's in store for Roy Jones, assuming you win the next fight.
Roy Jones Jr: Now, we are okay with it talking about it and I am not going to really concerned about what I am going to do --
Felix Chavez: Yeah.
Roy Jones Jr: -- I just try to make sure I keep my head right and (indiscernible) and after that we will see who is next.
Felix Chavez: Have you made any adjustments to what you do in the ring or again, you just want to be like a Roy Jones of old?
Roy Jones Jr: Just the Roy Jones old.
Felix Chavez: Thank you.
Roy Jones Jr: All right.
Male Speaker: All right. So, Ritch, are you back?
Ritch Danner: Well, I am back. It was obviously some technical difficulties.
Male Speaker: Yeah. Okay, great. Next up is Greg from the (AP).
Greg: Thank you. For Roy, what did you learn about yourself from the 10 months away from the ring?
Roy Jones Jr: Well, what I learned was that I got to be -- myself like I was (indiscernible) I enjoyed this sport of boxing. I got more to the people side (indiscernible) and that was the most important lesson to learn.
Greg: What exactly did you get into when you say you went to the people side or what --
Roy Jones Jr: Well, you just started to (indiscernible) things like people want to do things and (indiscernible) that people want you to fight and you know, its just that --
Male Speaker: Okay.
Male Speaker: Sure.
Ritch Danner: I am Ritch -- I am Ritch Danner.
Male Speaker: Hi Ritch.
Ritch Danner: I apologize for the technical difficulty. Apparently, we must have had an (REM), but once again I would like to welcome everyone to this teleconference with Prince Badi Ajamu in the room with me at this right from the Grove Hotel in Boise, Idaho same hotel that Roy Jones is staying at, which is adjacent to the Qwest Arena where on July, the 29th "Hold Nothing Back" will feature the North American light heavyweight championship, Prince Badi and Roy Jones Jr and it’s a thrill for us, in Boise, Idaho to host this event and for a living legend such as Roy Jones Jr to come to this town and for Prince Badi from Camden, New Jersey to travel across United States to defend his North American title. The day again is July the 29th. It's available by pay per view in North America. Suggested price is 24.95. Its -- we are calling it boxing entertainment at a bargain. There are four fights that could be considered main event fights in this card and we are going to elaborate a little bit later but Prince Badi is now here and he is also open for questions.
Male Speaker: And our next question is from Janet Johnson down in Orlando.
Janet Johnson: Hello. This is for RJJ. How do you feel now, Roy opposed to October 2005?
Male Speaker: Is Roy still with us? Roy, are you there?
Male Speaker: Roy, are you still there? Well, I certainly can't speak for Roy. Anybody -- Oliver did you have a question?
Oliver: Oh yes. I did. I will pose it to the Prince since Roy is not here. Prince is there, right?
Prince Badi Ajamu: Yes.
Oliver: Can you tell me a little bit about what type of strategy you are developing to fight Roy and how you think you can beat him?
Prince Badi Ajamu: Yes. The strategy I developed with fighting Roy is basically (adjusting), one of the things is just being able to adjust.
Oliver: And because you don’t know what -- you know, you don’t really know whether this fit for Roy, you feel (indiscernible) talent?
Prince Badi Ajamu: Very, very great abilities. And you just don’t know what type of fight Roy is going to come and fight. So, being able to adjust to whatever fight Roy come to fight is one of the most important significant things for me.
Oliver: Do you have a prediction at all?
Prince Badi Ajamu: No. I am very confident in winning. But I -- I don’t predictions. I always respect the next fighter and I go out and just fight my fight. Don’t worry about too much about what he is doing.
Oliver: So, you are prepared to go 12 rounds if that’s what you need to do.
Prince Badi Ajamu: If necessary, I am definitely prepared to go 12 rounds.
Oliver: Okay, thanks Prince.
Prince Badi Ajamu: You are welcome.
Male Speaker: Okay. Is Roy back?
Roy Jones Jr: Yeah.
Male Speaker: Okay, great. Janet Johnson down in Orlando had a question for you?
Roy Jones Jr: Okay.
Janet Johnson: Hello Roy.
Roy Jones Jr: How are you doing?
Janet Johnson: All right. How do you feel now opposed to October 2005?
Roy Jones Jr: I just feel pretty good. Now, you know, I feel like back to be my old self, back to enjoying myself, back to enjoying the sport and back to looking forward to (indiscernible) who I have never seen before in the boxing ring. So, I mean, I get back to my happy normal self.
Janet Johnson: Are you going to hold anything back?
Roy Jones Jr: Well, this -- most of the things holding me back, like you can just see it. You can't (indiscernible) different situation, you try to (indiscernible) that’s what we are there for.
Janet Johnson: Very good.
Male Speaker: All right. Oliver, did you have a question for Roy?
Oliver: Yes. Roy, this is Oliver (Teddy) of Ring Magazine. Tell me a little bit why you pick the Prince for your -- for your come back fight and if you have a strategy to defeat him?
Roy Jones Jr: I would be (indiscernible) to deal with somebody that I have to work to figure out, because when I looked at a guy and it's easy to beat him, then I am not going to work fairly hard to do it. You know, what I mean, I got a (fax) in my bed (indiscernible) pushing to the limit. And when I looked at Prince, it looks like he (indiscernible) myself in my younger days. So, I am definitely looking forward to and you know, like you just said (indiscernible) and make whatever adjustments I have to make too. And you don’t know what Roy (indiscernible).
Oliver: So, you are planning -- are you planning to go for a knock out or are you planning to win this by decision?
Roy Jones Jr: Well, I don’t go for knockouts. I always go (indiscernible).
Oliver: Okay, thank you, Roy.
Male Speaker: Great. David from Riverside Press.
David Avila: Yes. Roy, how much of the old Roy is left of -- on a scale of one to 10, what would you rate yourself compared to the Roy Jones of 2001, like when you fought Julio Gonzalez at the Staples Center?
Roy Jones Jr: I have (indiscernible) mentally spirited and make sure oh, I -- enjoy what I do, and I feel like we have had a (indiscernible) this is the (guy) who most of them are talking about -- and I feel like why you are talking about the (indiscernible) this is what I do. So, it just you know, that basically -- I am back in the (press) that I would like to be in there is a kind of (indiscernible).
David Avila: And your weight -- why did you choose light heavyweight why not a cruiserweight or heavyweight again?
Roy Jones Jr: Light heavyweight is where I want to come back to. That’s where I feel most comfortable and I know I am not real big guy. So, if I do this (indiscernible) you make in a cruiserweight division or a heavyweight division, it's just a (indiscernible) it's not for myself.
David Avila: Okay. Thanks Roy.
Male Speaker: Andre from Fightnews, are you still there?
Andre Courtemanche: Yes, I am.
Male Speaker: Would you like to ask a question?
Andre Courtemanche: I was going to ask about whether he is going to change his style and its already been asked. So, thank you.
Male Speaker: Oh okay, great. Anybody else, who want to ask a question?
Male Speaker: I have one for the Prince, actually.
Male Speaker: Okay, please. Prince, how are you doing, man? This is Danny -- from Pensacola?
Prince Badi Ajamu: How are you doing, man?
Dan: Hey, I am all right. I just -- its kind of a two part question. First is how long have you been with Buddy McGirt?
Prince Badi Ajamu: Well, I have been down there with Buddy, nine -- nine months -- over the last year -- since last year -- the last nine months.
Dan: This will be your first fight under him or now this will be your second fight?
Prince Badi Ajamu: Third.
Dan: It will be your third.
Prince Badi Ajamu: Actually, I am sorry, I am sorry, this is the fourth fight.
Dan: Fourth fight, okay. I got you. Well, with being said and, you know, knowing that Buddy has been opposing trainer in the corner of -- in Jones' -- two of Jones' last three loses, you know, what type of advantage do you feel about as you are coming out to this fight and you know, is there anything, in particular, that you feel Buddy has shed a light on in terms of how to beat Roy?
Prince Badi Ajamu: I just want to know because me and another fighter that Roy has fought these two different people, number one. Number two, we deal with situations on an individual basis. So, having Buddy is one thing but I am the one who have to do the fighting and he can -- he can give me instructions which I admire and I appreciate but actually I have to be the executor. So, it basically comes down what I do. You can be taught a lot of things, but I do believe that it plays a considerable part, I mean, you got to respect that, you know, he is a very knowledgeable person. He has been around this sport for a while and we have to respect that and he just move forward. But we start to -- when we start to rely on it, I think it can be tricky. So, I try not to rely on it, and just to be there to fight my fight.
Dan: I got you. Another thing I was going to ask you Prince is how do you feel like you have (adjusted) I know you have been there a little bit longer than the Roy in Boise and so how do you feel like you have (adjusted) to the opportunity and the atmosphere of Boise, yeah, I know Vero Beach is a much, much different place than Boise, Idaho.
Prince Badi Ajamu: I believe I have adjusted fairly decently, you know, I mean, there is -- there is much more to be desired but I cant' really complain them.
Dan: Okay. Very good. And I appreciate it and good luck.
Prince Badi Ajamu: Thanks.
Male Speaker: Thank you. Anybody else on the line who wants to ask a question?
Female Speaker: I have a question for Badi.
Male Speaker: Sure.
Female Speaker: Are you up to the challenge?
Prince Badi Ajamu: Very much so and I am very honored to be -- be here and the opportunity.
Female Speaker: Okay, how does it feel going up against some one you admire?
Prince Badi Ajamu: Its -- at first, initially, it was just -- I think, to me, I look at it as a personal test because I have admired Roy you know, coming out watching so much. I never thought that the creator will place me in front of this man, but now that he is here, I am full (spirited) here and I am looking forward to the opportunity to (push) the scoreline. So, feels great.
Female Speaker: Okay. So, when you are in that ring on July 29, you are going to be able to change hats you know, this is a fact that you admire him. You are going to go in as boxer?
Prince Badi Ajamu: I have already changed hats --
Female Speaker: Okay.
Prince Badi Ajamu: -- you know, that’s how to prepare for the fight.
Female Speaker: Okie-dokie, thank you.
Male Speaker: Okay, anyone else want to ask question?
Male Speaker: Can I ask a question to Ritch?
Male Speaker: Yes, and you are again?
Oliver: This is Oliver Teddy of Ring Magazine.
Male Speaker: Okay Oliver.
Male Speaker: Before -- before you do, I want to introduce a couple of other guys that are involved locally in Boise from Knockout Promotions, Kasey Thompson and his partner and professional boxer Cleveland Corder. They are doing a tremendous job on the ground in this town, this is their town and they have -- they traditionally and historically, fill this arena, Qwest arena with 6 -- 6500 people. Cleveland's fights and he along with Kenny Keane have put less than the seats in this arena time after time, and these guys know their (talent) and they know what it takes to -- to put on a successful promotion. So, we also have Kasey Thompson and Cleveland Corder here too. And, you can ask questions jointly.
Male Speaker: Okay, I have a --
Male Speaker: Ritch, can you -- I noticed that you get unbeaten Crow Creek Sioux cruiserweight Shawn Hawk on your card on your card, and I was wondering if you could tell me why you decided to have him on the fight -- in the fights and if you can share with us a little bit about Shawn.
Ritch Danner: Well, actually I am probably not even the person to be asked that question. Couple of guys in the room are -- are probably more qualified because I have actually never seen Shawn's fight but his reputation 11-0 is probably the best young prospect to come up in the northwest in some time. But at -- at this point, he still -- he is still not a main event fighter. At least probably another year or two away from that. Let me also point out that he is Sioux Indian from the Midwest from a Reservation in South Dakota quota, from a far west Reservation and I am not going to speak for him because he will speak for himself. But he will tell you that one of the goals that he has is to -- to give exposure and shed some light on the people from the Reservation and hopefully you will be able to take some of the (notoriety) back to the Reservation and to -- has hope and encouragement and hopefully, even turn that into some economic prosperity. Now as far as Shawn, as far as your style -- as far his fighting style and what excitement you brings to the ring, I would like to press like Cleveland Corder address that for a second.
Cleveland Corder: Shawn, you know, fight four or five of my undercards beneath me and the reason we keep bringing him back is because he is a really -- because he is probably one the most exciting cruiserweight around. He is a -- he is a Sioux, a native American who just come -- comes out and attack. He doesn’t wait and see -- see what's given to him or anything. He just comes out and attack and his goal, you know, I don’t -- I don’t know if you remember one of the first cruiserweight champions of the world Mr. Camel. His goal is to be like Mr. Camel, that of Marvin Camel and win the cruiserweight title and that’s his goal and that’s what he is doing and his action packed style is -- we are making such a huge draw in the Treasure Valley. Kasey has flown in down here for our fight in Boise from Coeur d'Alene just because of his action packed style.
Male Speaker: And Ritch mentioned he is from a reservation in South Dakota?
Ritch Danner: Right, he is from South Dakota, originally but he lives -- now lives in -- Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
Male Speaker: Okay. I am looking forward to seeing him fight.
Male Speaker: As we all are.
Male Speaker: Any other journalist with questions?
Female Speaker: This question is for Ritch.
Male Speaker: Okay.
Female Speaker: We were told earlier that you would know about ticket sales. How is everything going?
Ritch Danner: Well, ticket sales and as that Roy Jones is on the ground -- I haven’t checked today, but they are -- they have jumped incrementally each day. In addition, we also have a number of people also on the ground who are working with sponsors selling them in blocks. So, I -- I expect that, if we don’t haven't sell out, we are going to be near to sell out on July 29.
Male Speaker: Hey Ritch, just be honest there for a second. Was there ever really a major concern there in Idaho that Roy wasn’t going to show up for this fight or I mean -- I mean was there really a concern or does he -- you know, were you pretty confident that he was you know, his contract signed and everything like that.
Ritch Danner: You know, I am a lot different than anybody else because I am in touch with -- with Roy's attorney and his assistant several times a week. I had zero -- I had no concerns that Roy Jones was not going to show up for this fight. I had zero concern. Once we signed the contract, I was completely confident that this fight was taking place. It wasn't even a thought of mine.
Female Speaker: Ritch?
Ritch Danner: Yes.
Female Speaker: So, you would say yourself that Jones still you know, has -- has it when it comes to selling tickets.
Ritch Danner: As far as star power, as far as charisma, as far as being able to connect with the public, absolutely right. We had a -- we had a public appearance yesterday and if you could have seen the people there that were standing in line, waiting for autograph, waiting for t-shirts to be signed, gloves to be signed, pictures to be taken, babies to be held, he was saying that nothing has changed --
Female Speaker: Oh he is a sweet all-and-out-guy, uh?
Ritch Danner: I see -- I would say that he connects well with the public, certainly.
Female Speaker: Very good.
Greg: Roy, Greg with AP, are you still there? Roy?
Roy Jones Jr: Yeah -- yeah.
Greg: Roy, are you still there?
Roy Jones Jr: Yeah.
Greg: Was there ever down in your mind, wondering or -- was there ever a chance you wouldn’t show up for this -- this Boise fight, you might not?
Roy Jones Jr: Yes, come on. I (indiscernible) I had a problem, I couldn't -- but I was the (indiscernible) accept to fight. I would never -- three of four fights, that just totally -- and that’s not (indiscernible). Over years, I made this sport (indiscernible) and make a lot more money than they ever would. They -- its not a (indiscernible) so to come back and say that I --
Male Speaker: Anybody else with any questions?
Male Speaker: Yeah, I have a question for Roy. Is he still available?
Roy Jones Jr: Yeah, I am still available.
Male Speaker: This is (indiscernible).
Roy Jones Jr: Yeah.
Male Speaker: Well, I just want to ask you a question. How did it feel -- what are your comments when people say -- they don’t think that you are capable of winning. Obviously we know you are a talented fighter probably one of the best in last 25 years, respond to the people, respond to the critics they just think that Roy Jones Jr, he is the (Rockville) fighter?
Roy Jones Jr.: (Indiscernible).
Male Speaker: Well, thank you.
Male Speaker: Great. Any other question?
Male Speaker: I actually have one from (indiscernible) Martin calling from Metro US.
Male Speaker: Great.
Male Speaker: Roy, real quickly, I know you talked about it earlier but -- can you may be -- is there anything that you could may be pinpoint between your two fights in '03 and '04 with Tarver where, I mean is there anything you can pinpoint where, you know, something went wrong and -- and I know like you said now you are feeling a lot better, so kind of how did you -- secondly, how did you kind of get to that point, now you are feeling a lot better?
Roy Jones Jr: Well, you know, in a (indiscernible) life you know, you all goes through up and downs. (Indiscernible) and I know at some point in my life, I am going to go through some ups and downs so, like you just said, I was -- always (indiscernible) going once you won't be here. So, I mean, even right now, if I -- if I get another -- who knows that this could be -- I could go (indiscernible) I am happy. And -- give me an opportunity to come back again and perform again -- well, (indiscernible) whatever the issues may have been, I know, you will (indiscernible). So I am very proud that -- where I am and very proud to (indiscernible).
Male Speaker: Great thanks Roy.
Ritch Danner: Hey, it's Ritch again. Kasey talks -- from Knockout promotions in Boise and he is-- he has got a comment to make about the tradition of boxing in Boise and what we can expect in the crowd.
Kasey Thompson: Hey everyone, something about Boise and we have our 29th fight series here which we have, you know, sold out consecutively the last two to three fights. Boise is a little different than a lot of markets nationally -- about half of our tickets sold happened in the last 10 days before the fight, especially the last three to four days. So, its pretty typical, I guess, at this point where we would be ticket sales and now that Roy is in town and we have Prince Badi in town, we have, you know, several media conferences, interviews and news that type of thing. So, I think we are pretty happy with what ticket sales are and I believe there is going to be a big run up in the next week and week and a half. That’s pretty typical with Boise.
Male Speaker: Kasey or Ritch, Greg -- in the AP. Can you give us a ballpark what the number is right now. You said you are happy where you are at?
Male Speaker: I would say -- where we got -- I think the box office plus people with tickets in their hands, I would say we are over 2000 now.
Male Speaker: Okay.
Male Speaker: And, generally speaking in our event we had February and in May that’s about where we are at about a week and a half to two weeks out --
Male Speaker: Right.
Male Speaker: -- and then capacity is 6500. We had a show here week ago and it was the exact same numbers it ended up showing out. (Indiscernible) 2000 tickets in this 24 hours. So, that’s Boise for you.
Male Speaker: Great, any other questions?
Male Speaker: Yeah, I have a question for Prince and another one for Roy as well.
Male Speaker: Great, is it still Greg?
Danny: No, this is Danny from Pensacola.
Male Speaker: Danny, okay.
Danny: Hi Prince.
Prince Badi Ajamu: Yes.
Danny: Hi, I -- I didn't actually know until just recently that your -- your cousin was Floyd Patterson and I am -- I just wonder how close were you to him and did he ever give you any sort of advice on your boxing career?
Prince Badi Ajamu: No, he hasn't. No he hasn't. He was more so close with my grandfather. Actually it's been a long time since they have been around -- and this -- actually it was -- as I was a baby, you know, I was --
Danny: Oh really?
Prince Badi Ajamu: Yes, yes.
Danny: What -- what was it about his career that you admired (the most) when you look back on it?
Prince Badi Ajamu: I mean -- it wasn’t much that I didn't admired. You know, there is no one particular thing, I guess, the fact that he was a fighter -- and he was a champion. I think I admire that more than anything.
Danny: I got you. And Roy, I was just going to ask you -- you were at a fishing tournament down here at Pensacola and told one of our reports and I asked you kind of you know, how boxing was going and everything, you know, these days -- boxing rates, basically third behind basketball and fishing whereas it used to be boxing, basketball and fishing. You know, kind of what change and you just kind of feel like you know, you have reached in your career where you are just going to enjoy the other things in life besides boxing?
Roy Jones Jr: No, I don’t mean -- (indiscernible) and when you win and of course this will be (indiscernible) and more competitive. I got to win everything. And when this fishing tournament ended, boxing became the one (indiscernible) day before the fishing tournament and it was made after that fishing tournament. So, while I am doing the boxing, it's always the top priority.
Danny: Okay, thanks man, and good luck.
Male Speaker: Great, any other questions?
Oliver: This is Oliver Teddy of Ring magazine?
Male Speaker: Yes, Oliver.
Oliver: Question to Ritch.
Ritch Danner: Yes sir.
Oliver: Ritch, I noticed you added Frank Wood to the card. That’s a special heavyweight attraction. Can you tell me a little bit about Frank and why you added him?
Ritch Danner: Yeah and I am glad that you asked that question because I -- I would like to talk a little bit about the -- the card in general. Frank Wood is -- was in the -- was in Jones's training camp and actually have become closer to that whole group. I was asked specifically for Frank on the card. We have the -- you know this guy has -- we have a harder time managing him. He was first -- supposed to fight Chauncy Welliver a Northwest fighter and in that way it made sense to bring in a guy from Nashville to fight the Northwest fighter Chauncy 29-3 but he failed out or (chickened) out or whatever you want to call it from the fight and then we had a match with Saul Montana a guy that (fights) in Boise and in fact he fought -- for a cruiserweight title fight in Boise a few years ago. We thought that would make a good match and then that fight went away and so --
Male Speaker: I think it will okay for a short duration.
Ritch Danner: So that now we got -- now we have got match with Derrick Brown from New York city -- a 12 and 2 record -- Frank Wood's a knockout puncher and everybody like to see a knockout heavyweight -- so knocked people out. So -- we think that he will -- and the fact is that he is managed and trained by Christy Martin, "The Coal Miner's daughter" --
Male Speaker: Actually --
Male Speaker: It was -- really something to the card as well just from her notoriety.
Male Speaker: But I definitely didn’t want to -- you know I thought may be we could use one of the girls cards, (Mary O) cards and then we just --
Male Speaker: Are we -- is some one breaking in? I am sorry this is an open line. So if you could keep your mute buttons on or keep your talking in the background down to a minimum that would be great, thanks.
Oliver: Yeah Ritch, Oliver (Teddy) again with Ring magazine. You were just talking about Christy Martin and I couldn’t hear you -- could you --
Ritch Danner: Yeah Christy Martin is the manager and helps train Derrick Brown, the opponent for Frank Wood and as I said she will be here as well and she will help with her (notoriety) and it's kind of a special treat to see perhaps the most famous and popular women's boxer of all time Christy Martin bringing her boxer in, it was like (indiscernible) on the card.
Oliver: Yeah I am looking forward to that and can you speak a little bit too about William Guthrie?
Ritch Danner: William Guthrie is a former World -- the IBF former World Light Heavyweight champion. You know what -- a talent he is -- he is going to be challenging for the vacant IBF International Cruiserweight title against Spokane's Luke Munsen. Now Luke Munsen, I will speak quickly about him 19 and 5 from Spokane 25 year old guy. Tough -- tough guy. He has fought Vassiliy Jirov a few months ago dropped Jirov in the ninth round and lost to a close decision. I think that gave him a sense of where he is at in his career and the confidence to take on a boxer of the stature of William Guthrie. But as you know William Guthrie's story probably more better than I do. I -- feel fortunate that we are able to put a match on with a former world champion and -- and a regional guy in Luke Munsen for a title fight. I also want to talk a little bit about Kenny Keane and his fight with Arthur Williams. Arthur Williams is another former International Boxing Federation Cruiserweight champion and he is taking on Kenny Keane 51-3 Idaho icon and his opportunity -- probably the greatest opportunity of his career because a few weeks ago we had Virgil Hill here in Boise for a press conference and said that he would accept Kenny Keane's challenge should he win against Arthur Williams. So this is a huge fight, this is kind of a subplot to the Roy Jones, Prince Badi's fight. But as far as local interest there is an -- incredible local interest about -- about Kenny Keane and not only is it a fight between Kenny Keane and -- Arthur Williams but it's also competition between Boise Idaho and North Dakota because as you know Virgil Hill is from North Dakota and he would love to see that fight go to North Dakota and we would love to see that fight coming to Boise. But it's a matter of economics and that’s another reason for fight (bans) to come off and watch the fight on July 29th.
Male Speaker: Very good any other questions?
Janet Johnson: This question is for Roy.
Roy Jones Jr: Oh yeah.
Male Speaker: Okay Janet.
Janet Johnson: Who will be training you this time around?
Roy Jones Jr: Obviously it will be coach Merk --
Janet Johnson: Coach Merk and who --
Roy Jones Jr: (Indiscernible).
Janet Johnson: Oh okay, thanks.
Male Speaker: Any other questions.
Male Speaker: Yes Roy on that same note, what is the atmosphere of July (indiscernible) this time -- what if it was like last time you know -- that caused you so many problems.
Roy Jones Jr: It has been good, -- I have no problems --
Male Speaker: I am sorry I couldn’t hear you, man.
Roy Jones Jr: I said no problems, just back to the normal.
Male Speaker: It's back to the normal.
Male Speaker: Very good anything else -- anyone else? Well it looks like we can conclude -- Ritch you want to say some concluding remarks?
Ritch Danner: Thank you for joining in on this national teleconference. We all look forward to seeing the living legend and five-time world champion Roy Jones Jr appearing -- challenging North American Champion Prince Badi Ajamu, who has got a great -- great undercard from top to bottom. Everyone competitive, everyone well matched, Moe Smith, the matchmaker from Coeur d'Alene has done a great job in putting these matches together. And as we call it, boxing entertainer -- entertainment at a bargain this is available on pay per view at 2495 -- as opposed to other -- 3995 -- this chance to see a great legend in Roy Jones Jr and great (talent) across the board. So look -- thank you for your time and look forward to any other questions and comments in the future.
Marc Ferris: Great once again if there are any questions regarding the pay per view broadcast please contact Jacobs at 201-610-1500, any time after this call. A reminder the press credentials are due before 5 pm Eastern time July 23rd. You can -- you can fax to me, Marc Ferris at 914-696-4120 or e-mail me at mferris@giles.com, if you need a form please e-mail me and I will send one off. Thank you everybody.
Ritch Danner: Excuse me Marc --
Marc Ferris: Yes.
Ritch Danner: Ritch -- is there still a press conference on site -- on Thursday next week?
Male Speaker: Yeah press conference will be at 11 o'clock Mountain time at the Qwest arena --
Ritch Danner: Right.
Male Speaker: On the floor of the arena.
Ritch Danner: And are there -- is there still you had mentioned a one time open workouts next week --?
Male Speaker: I -- there is -- there is -- I don’t -- there is not open workouts. There is going to be a media day that we are going to have on Wednesday and I think the time is still being determined, I think it's 2 o'clock.
Ritch Danner: Okay thank you.
Male Speaker: Is Prince --
Male Speaker: Yeah.
Roy Jones Jr: Yeah Prince, this is Roy I want to thank you again man for accepting the challenge and thank you for being such a good (indiscernible) based on all the remarks and for the support you are giving my career too and I am looking forward to one of the (indiscernible) you two made. For example, I had the opportunity to be online and formally speak to you so I just want to say thank you again and I am looking forward to a good night.
Prince Badi Ajamu: So is -- thank you.
Roy Jones Jr: All right man.
Male Speaker: All right. It looks like we are concluded, very nice job.
Male Speaker: Thank you.
