Roy Jones Jr. on why he agreed to fight a fan and what his future holds

Roy Jones Jr. (Getty Images) — Roy Jones Jr. still has something to go after at age 47. (Getty Images)

Roy Jones Jr. was once the pound-for-pound king of boxing, winning world titles in four weight classes -- middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight -- spanning over the course of a decade from 1993 to 2003 with only one loss, coming by way of disqualification. He was electric in the ring, a rare boxing talent that could both outclass and overpower an opponent at the same time.

Jones suffered his first knockout loss in 2004 in a rematch with Antonio Tarver, which began his rapid decline. He lost his next two fights as well and has yet to reclaim a major title in any weight class since -- he has held three minor titles since then.

Now, at age 47, you can find Jones on HBO Boxing telecasts and training fighters, but he still insists on remaining active in the ring. His most recent fight was a cruiserweight bout in Russia on Dec. 12, 2015 when he was knocked out by a brutal uppercut by Enzo Maccarinelli.

There were many that called for Jones to hang up the gloves after that performance, but he's still yet to make an official decision on whether to retire.

Jones' next and possible final appearance in the boxing ring will be in Phoenix on Sunday when he takes on 33-year-old former amateur boxer and MMA fighter Vyron Phillips from Minneapolis, Minnesota on URShow.TV, a pay-per-view streaming service.

The original premise was for Jones to take on a random fan for the chance to win $100,000 if he beat Jones, but Arizona's boxing commission would not approve a fight with a non-fighter. Instead, they adjusted and settled on Phillips by way of online vote.

For most, the first question that came up when they heard he agreed to an exhibition bout against a fan was, "why?" Many have the same question as to why the 47-year-old insists on fighting professionally and put his health at risk.

Jones spoke with CBS Sports on Thursday to explain how the idea to fight a fan came about, why he thought it was a good idea and his response to critics. Jones also discussed how the elusive cruiserweight title keeps him coming back to the ring at 47, as well as where he ranks himself on the all-time list of athletes as rappers.

CBS Sports: First off, how did the idea of you boxing with a fan become an actual thing that's happening and why did you want to do it?

RJJ: Well, myself and Ira [Terk, CEO of URShow.TV] had been talking about this for a couple of years. We was talking about doing some things with UR TV and so we've been talking about this for three years or four. Before I fought my last fight in Russia, he was like 'we should do one with a fan,' and I said that sounds like a good idea.

So, I told him I would do it before I fought the fight in Russia [with Enzo Maccarinelli], without knowing the outcome in Russia. The thing in Russia was, basically, I wanted to fight for a title, but at the same time, I didn't want to fight [Maccarinelli] if I wasn't fighting him for a title. It didn't really make sense. Sometimes when you get into things, promoters do certain things, and you get stuck.

To me, what I felt like I went through in Russia was a no-win situation, because I didn't want to fight Maccarinelli unless we were fighting for a title. That's cause he has everything to gain and nothing to lose, and I have nothing to gain unless I'm fighting for the title. And that's kind of what happened.

At the same time, I already told Ira that I would do this deal and, um, it's crazy because it's boxing. Anything can happen. It's like baseball, if a guy can hit a ball, who says he couldn't hit a home run off of Goose Gossage or somebody on one swing because that's what baseball is.

Over the course of time, he can throw one punch and get lucky, but that's with anybody. At the same time, as a fan, he's not going to be able to deal with me as a boxer, but he gets the thrill of a lifetime to be able to get in the ring with me. You know how many people would give up their life to get in one NBA game or NFL game or get one fight? Just to do something that has been a dream and they've aspired to do for their whole life. Can you imagine what that means for a person?

I've talked in the past with pro wrestlers and fighters who have said that when they go out in public that people come up to them and want to challenge them to a fight. Is this your way of showing that 'I'm a professional. You're not, and you can't handle me in a fight?"

[Laughs] Yeah, it kind of is, but at the same time, I'm in it more for the fun part. If it wasn't for the fans, I wouldn't have the career I've had. They were always inspirational to me and inspired me to do what I did, so you've got to give back to them.

Like I said, if I got the chance to get in a game against the Lakers and Kobe's still playing, even just for a quarter, you think I'm going to turn that down?! Heck no [laughs]. You know what that would mean to a fan? Look what that would mean to me and I'm a celebrity like any of 'em. He's still not what he once was, but he's still Kobe. It doesn't matter.

Is that your response to critics of this fight as a sham?

Of course, of course. I don't really give into the critics because critics are always going to criticize and what have they done? A person who has never done nothing can't really care nothing about doing something. So as far as the critics, I don't care what they think. I don't have time to give to critics. If I spent my career responding to critics, I'd never be where I'm at right now.

After this, what's next for your career? You said you felt you were in a tough spot in Russia and there was talk that that would be your last fight, but obviously nothing's been made official. What's next for Roy Jones, Jr.?

There's nothing official. I may hang it up. I'm going to see how I feel.

This fan thing doesn't really have any effect on my career goals, you know I'll still be training fighters and haven't made any career plans yet. Just like I hadn't made any career plans before I fought Maccarinelli. I'll see how it goes, see how I feel. I always listen to my body.

This fight has no impact on my options or how I pursue my career goals, my TV goals or my boxing career.

You were out of the ring for almost a year and a half from July 2012 [Fought June 30, 2012] to December 2013 [Fought Dec. 12, 2013]. What was it that brought you back to the ring for another ring because you came back and then you became more active again?

I really was just waiting for a cruiserweight shot and it took so long to get a shot that I was just sitting out for awhile, which I didn't want to do. I really didn't want to stay out that long because I wanted a shot, but you have to be smart now. A lot of guys don't think smart now. In my older age, I've gotten smarter. That's why I said Maccarinelli was not a fight I wanted to fight because if it was not for a title, then I have nothing to gain and everything to lose and that's kind of what happened.

That's not to use that as an excuse. He's a good fighter and he did what he had to do and it was cool. But if there was a title fight, then it's gonna be a war, because I've got something to fight for.

Is that still the goal? Is the cruiserweight title [the one weight class he's never held one of the major belts] the thing that keeps you around and wanting to come back at age 47?

It is, but at the same time, if I can't get the right opportunity or the right time to prepare and have proper preparation for it, then there's no sense in doing it. I have to look at the bigger picture. If you don't have the time to prepare for it to take the shot, then don't do it.

When you look back on your career, what do you consider the high point of your career?

The high point was winning the [WBA World] heavyweight title off of John Ruiz.

Alright, I'll let you out on this one, the last thing for me and I have to ask because "Can't Be Touched" was heavily in the rotation for youth basketball warmups for me growing up. Where do you rank yourself in the all-time list of athletes as rappers?

[Laughs] I got to be the best. I have to be the best. That song has over 80 million views on YouTube. I have to be the best.

Better than Shaq or any of the rest?

I have to be! Name another guy with 80 million views on one of their songs from an athlete?! Who else?!

I can't name one.

OK!

Note: "Can't Be Touched" has 88 million plays on YouTube. Shaq's most played? 685,000 on YouTube.