Vitali Klitschko and Roy Jones exchange heated words

[WelshDevilRob]

Seems to be Russian boxers fighting in US and UK. Other sports like Tennis, Football have stopped them. Not sure whether Boxing has got it right or wrong?

 

Roy Jones Takes Exception To Klitschko Criticism: Why Would You Target Me?

 

Roy Jones Jr. did not appreciate being singled out by Wladimir Klitschko in the latter’s Hall of Fame speech.

In a video addressed to the attendees at the International Boxing Hall of Fame ceremony in Verona, New York, the Ukrainian heavyweight expressed his gratitude for his induction into the hallowed precincts of the organization. Klitschko was not able to make it to the proceedings in person because he, along with his heavyweight brother Vitali, is currently in his native country helping defend his people against the Russian invasion. But Klitschko, who joined nearly 40 inductees across three classes over the weekend, also questioned the “moral compass” of Jones, another fellow inductee, for what he feels is Jones’ complicitous behavior with the enemy.

“I am super happy to be able to address all of you,” Klitschko said. “Well, almost all of you. There is one person for whom I have a real question. One person broke Ukrainian law by going to the occupied peninsula of Crimea through Russian territory. That person is Roy Jones.

 

“So, Roy, whose side are you on? On the side of the aggressor, or on the side of the defender of its right to live. I respect you as a fighter, but I really question your moral compass.”

Jones, regarded as the pound-for-pound best fighter in the 1990s, became a Russian citizen in 2015. Jones has cited the country’s large “community of boxers” and the fact that he is beloved there as reasons he chose to become an official citizen. In order to obtain citizenship, Jones met with Russian president Vladimir Putin in the pro-Russian Ukrainian territory of Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014.

 

In response to Klitschko’s comments, Jones accused the Ukrainian of shoehorning him “into the political world” and even suggested – somewhat facetiously – that they duke it out in the ring.

“There’s a lot of people still talking crazy,” Jones Jr. told Elie Seckbach of ES News. “Klitschko trying to throw me into the political world and I have nothing to do with politics. I’m like, 'look I don’t know what you’re talking about with the politics, but if you wanna fight, you can call me.' You know, I mean, it’s all good.

Jones made it clear he does not support the war going on in Ukraine. Jones explained that Vasiliy Lomachenko, the three division Ukraine titlist who is currently enlisted with his country’s military, is one of his favorite boxers. At the same time, Jones said he does not believe in antagonizing Russia when he has so many young boxers there he is charged with rearing.

 

“Why would you target me?” Jones continued. “I have nothing to do with that. I have people on both sides. I don’t want to see nobody at war because Lomachenko one of my favorites. You think I want to see him at war with Russia? I’ve got 25 kids I train in Russia, amateur kids that have nothing to do with none of that. I feel for those kids too.

“I don’t want to see nobody at war. You’re not the only person having a problem. Don’t be trying to throw me in it because I didn’t know why they put me on the blacklist for going to Crimea. I didn’t even understand that in 2015.”

Jones questioned Klitschko’s grievance and, once again, suggested they use their fists to settle the quandary.

“Because I do boxing, you want this heat, you can come get that,” Jones said. “Other that I don’t hear what you talking about.”

 

Source: https://www.boxingscene.com/roy-jones-takes-exception-klitschko-criticism-why-you-target-me--166981cB1kOQ

[Ledhed1]

Don't see the sense in trashing RJJ for something he did in 2015 when the current situation was unforeseeable. Ukrainians understandably take this war very personally to the point they support the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes from competition. But penalizing individual athletes for the acts of their government is off the mark. In tennis, Russian and Belarusian teams are rightly excluded but only in England are individual players being kept out. The USTA recently confirmed all players will participate in the US Open as they did at Roland Garros and all other ATP and WTA events except in England. What makes England unique? The direct participation of the royals in the presentation of championship trophies at Wimbledon. The royals wished to eliminate any chance of a photo op with a Russian or Belarusian on championship weekend. They instructed the government to make it go away, and so it was done. ATP/WTA events in England were included to give the appearance of consistency. As for boxing, don't expect we'll see any visiting Russian or Belarusian fighters in Britain any time soon for the same reason. It may be to the chagrin of the Klitschkos et al, but the ability to compete as an individual prevails most other places as it should.

[LondonRingRules]

- - I can see Wlad POV what with Russia the seeming aggressor, however Democracy as the West has experienced has no history in Eastern Europe among the predominant Slav culture.

 

There have been internal assassinations with enough instability to concern Russia if NATO gives them nuclear weapons, hence Russian meddling trying to keep Ukraine pro Russia.

 

Roy has been lionized in Russia and made it a sort of adopted country and only interested in developing the wealth of natural talent, so me thinks the Ks should stand down regarding Roy and Russian fighters, esp those western immigrants like Beter and Bivol who already have grave difficulties in collecting their purses because of US presidential fiat and forced into taking on otherwise unnecessary loans to stay afloat.