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01/17/2008 Archived Entry: "Bring It On!"
Bring It On!
By Jill Diamond
Left to right: Grant Phillips (Grantwear), Roy Jones, Jr., Francisco Mendez (Mendez Boxing) and a coach (front and center) at Mendez Gym (Jill Diamond photo)
There's always a cluster of would-be's and wanna-be's at the "closed" workout sessions that Roy Jones, Jr. and his stablemates conduct at Mendez Gym. Jones is too much of a gentleman to dis anyone, and despite his on camera chest beating, he's always available, although sometimes hesitant, for a spontaneous photo with a fan.
Jones travels with a small entourage, unlike Tito who moves his troupe around like an amoeba pack. With Jones, it's just his two fighters--both on the under card, his photographer, Norman H. De Shong, his soft spoken, iron-fisted trainer, Merk (Alton Merkonson), his assistant, Tami, and his muscle, Migee.
In the ring Roy, Jr. dances -- literally. The music blasts a hip hop beat and he moves as if he was a school boy who'd sneeked into a backdoor night spot. Then he slams the bag...and slams it , and slams it; one of his fighters usually pounding the other end. It's a dialogue worthy of Shakespear.
I don't know who'll win Saturday night, but Jones took Wendesday. Maybe Superman can fly?
Mike Kozlowski (at left, who coaches Emery, Foreman, and Greenburg) and Alton Merkerson (Jones Coach) at Mendez Gym (Jill Diamond photo)
