In his first professional boxing match at Gamebred Boxing 4, Anthony Pettis won by majority decision against Roy Jones Jr in a bout that showed father time had caught up with the American.
Despite being a former professional boxer, Jones, at the age of 54, wilted under the pressure. Pettis appeared self-assured and threw a higher number of punches, with telling combinations, even if Jones was the more accurate fighter.
Pettis willingly engaged in a punch-for-punch battle as his quicker hand speed and lead jab was making headway. By working the body, an already aging Jones began to feel the ferocity of the punches.
Resultados #GamebredBoxing4
Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) derrota a Roy Jones Jr vía Decisión Mayoritaria.#gamebredboxing #FordewinMMA pic.twitter.com/c1icDCLz1B
— FordewinMMA (@FordewinMMA) April 2, 2023
While Jones did have a reach advantage that allowed him to time Pettis, the latter was the busier fighter which became evident in the latter half of the fight. And that output is what ultimately swayed the judges.
Pettis was declared the winner by two judges who scored the fight 77-75 and 78-74, while the third judge gave a score of 76-76, resulting in a majority decision. The result reinforced Pettis’ desire to continue in the sport of boxing.
“He’s a legend of the sport. I’m going to take it one fight at a time. I’m 1-0 as a pro so I’m excited to see what the future holds. I had a great team behind me and I wanted this,” Pettis
As for Jones, he had previously announced that he would be retiring from the ring after this fight. However, following the loss, he began to reconsider his decision.
“I like to come in and entertain the fans. I think it was a good fight. He did a great job. I think it would be a really good rematch. I don’t do exhibitions, I fight real fights. At 54 years old, that’s a beautiful thing,” Jones
Despite Pettis’ victory, the boxing community mocked his feat.
Social Media Reaction
Roy Jones is like 80 lol
— Kyle Nanti (@Squintz218) April 2, 2023
Tbf he was fighting a pensioner 😂
— BishBashBosh (@YerAuldDaaaaa) April 2, 2023
Is it shocking for a pro fighter to beat a great grandfather?
— SPG (@SletKentDome) April 2, 2023