Cruiserweight

Former WBA, WBC and IFB cruiserweight boxing champion O'Neil Bell was killed in Atlanta Wednesday morning in an apparent robbery at the age of 40, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution's Mike Morris. 

Citing the police, 11Alive.com reported Bell and a surviving victim exited a Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority bus shortly after midnight before they were shot by the alleged robbers. 

Police reports indicated Bell was lying in the street before he was pronounced dead at the scene. The surviving victim was reportedly shot in the hip. 

"We’re being told that there may have been some type of vehicle involved, a PT Cruiser, and robbery may be the motive," Atlanta police Lieutenant Charles Hampton told WSB-TV Channel 2, according to Morris.

Bell, a native of Jamaica, hasn't fought professionally since 2011, according to BoxRec.com, but he was a celebrated boxer in the cruiserweight division prior to calling it quits. 

According to BoxRec, Bell finished his career with a 27-4-1 record, including 25 victories by knockout. His last appearance came in December 2011, when he defeated Rico Cason by first-round TKO. 

Victor Emilio Ramirez and late replacement Ovill McKenzie will face off in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with the IBF cruiserweight title on the line.

Ramirez will have home advantage as he looks to defend the belt for the first time. He became the interim champion by beating Ola Afolabi in April and was then elevated to full titleholder when Yoan Pablo Hernandez pulled out.

McKenzie (25-12, 13 KOs) accepted the opportunity to step in and fight for a major belt on short notice.

Born in Jamaica but now living in Derby, England, The Upsetter will be hoping he can live up to his nickname at Villa La Nata Sporting Club.

When: Friday, October 2, 10 p.m. (local) / 9 p.m. ET / 2 a.m. (Saturday) BST

Where: Villa La Nata Sporting Club, Buenos Aires, Argentina

TV: BoxNation (UK)

Live Stream: BoxNation (UK, regional restrictions apply)

Home Favourite

Ramirez (22-2, 17 KOs) was set to face previous champion Hernandez on the same date, but the German-based Cuban was ruled out because of an injury.

Now, instead of challenging for the title, Ramirez finds himself with the chance to enjoy a home coronation against a stand-in.

The 31-year-old from Buenos Aires has been in this situation before. He was the interim WBO champion back in 2009, after the belt was vacated by David Haye, before being promoted to full status.

His reign came to an end at the hands of German Marco Huck in what would be his last fight for a four-year period.

Ramirez returned in December 2013 and has since reeled off seven wins on the spin.

While short on size (he is 5’7”), he’s big on power. His knockout ratio is an impressive 68 percent, though he had to climb off the canvas twice in the first round to stop Deon Elam last October.

However, he showed he can also go the distance by beating the durable Afolabi on points his last time out.

Ready to Roll 

Taking a fight at short notice is nothing new for McKenzie.

He told Gareth A. Davies of the Telegraph, “This is a lot of time for me—11 days. Normally it’s two days notice. That’s why my record is the way it is. I usually fight on two or three days notice.”

While the lack of preparation time might not be ideal for the challenger, this was an opportunity that was too good to turn down.

The 35-year-old has not had it easy in or out of the ring, including growing up on the streets in Jamaica. 

Boxing was an afterthought, but he told Dev Trehan of Sky Sports that it now affords him the chance to help not just himself but also his family:

I don't want my kids to have to grow up the hard way like I did. I want to set a nice foundation for them so they don't have to suffer like me.

God gave me the opportunity to be a boxer. I could never have imagined I would be fighting for a world title when I was growing up on the streets.

But I knew I wanted the world to know me. I wanted people to know my name, I wanted people to know who Ovill McKenzie is.

On paper, his record suggests he shouldn’t be too much of a challenge for Ramirez.

However, McKenzie is a tough nut that will take some cracking. Dean Francis knocked him out inside two minutes in 2007, but he lasted 20 rounds in two bouts against Tony Bellew at light heavyweight.

He is now the British and Commonwealth champion at the 200-pound limit and is fresh off a two-round demolition of Janne Forsman in July.

Prediction

Ramirez is the obvious choice when it comes to picking a winner. He is on home turf, and he is on an impressive unbeaten streak.

But McKenzie is a 5-1 underdog, per Odds Shark, and he should not be underestimated.

He has the ability to change fights with one punch, and his height advantage (McKenzie is 6’0”) should help him stay out of range long enough to make the bout interesting.

However, travelling on short notice makes it difficult to see anything other than a Ramirez victory, most likely via a stoppage in the second half of the bout.

For better or for worse, there's no quit in Roy Jones Jr. 

The 46-year-old former multi-titleholder and Boxing Writers Association of America's "Fighter of the Decade" for the 1990s isn't slowing down his pugilistic pursuits as he ventures deeper into middle age. On the contrary, he's picking up the pace.

According to BoxRec, Jones Jr. (61-8, 44 KOs) is scheduled to fight twice in August and again in September, this after having cruised to two easy wins in March of this year. His next bout, scheduled for Sunday against the anonymous Billy Bailey (12-19, 4 KOs), will be the 70th of his long and storied career. 

The bout won't be televised live, but a replay will air as part of the Knockout television series—of which Jones Jr. is a host—on NuvoTV on Wednesday, August 19.

Here's a rundown of the crucial fight info.

Date: Sunday, August 16

Location: Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut

TV Info: Wednesday, August, 19 on NuvoTV (subscription required)

Time (TV): 10 p.m. ET/PT

Jones Jr., who's won titles ranging from the middleweight to heavyweight divisions, has settled into the cruiserweight class at this late stage in his career. He's not stepping into the ring to pick up or paycheck or lack of better hobbies.

There's an apparent end goal in mind with this busy schedule: a shot at Marco Huck (38-2-1, 26 KOs) and his WBO World cruiserweight title. Jones Jr. told ESPN.com's Dan Rafael in June that his focus isn't necessarily solely on fighting Huck, although that did appear to be the major driving force in his comments:

It ain't about only the Huck fight. It's about whatever title fight I get. I'm eager to fight anyone, anytime, anywhere. I know Huck wants to break the [division defense] record, and then hopefully he will fight me later this year. Then I know he wants to go up to heavyweight. I want to stop that heavyweight s--- because after me I hope Huck wants the rematch after I beat him. 

It's easy to come up with reasons why boxing fans might cringe at Jones Jr.'s myopic quest to prove himself at the upper reaches of the sport over and over again. Some might be eager to preserve their memories of Jones Jr. as a pound-for-pound king or be concerned with his long-term mental health (or both).

This is how ESPN.com's Steve Bunce concluded a piece on Jones Jr., his career and upcoming September fight against Tony Moran:

Tickets for the fight with veteran Tony Moran, a local fighter with a record of endurance in brutal fights, on September 12 are selling well. I'm not surprised, Roy Jones is a living, breathing, slightly crazy boxing legend and watching him in the flesh is still worth the price of a ticket. I hope to be there, but I would prefer it if he were home and happy and retired.

Jones Jr. inspires both fascination and concern. Few sports are more grueling or leave more lasting damage than boxing. Seventy bouts add up.

For what it's worth, Jones Jr. has cakewalked through most of the fights on his seven-match winning streak, thus limiting his time spent in the ring accumulating damage to both mind and body.

Junior hasn't seen a bout go the distance since a 12-round unanimous-decision win over Zine Benmakhlouf in December 2013. His two wins in March, against unheralded Paul Vasquez and Willie Williams, both came via TKO and lasted one and two rounds, respectively. The opponents may lack prestige or pedigree, but that hasn't stopped the skillful Jones Jr. from teaching them a lesson all the same.

Bailey has a losing record and hasn't fought anyone of note, so perhaps Jones Jr. expects to make similarly quick work of him Sunday, leaving him relatively fresh for a scheduled scrap with Danny Santiago (33-7-1, 19 KOs) on August 29.

The 30-year-old Huck will put his WBO title on the line for the 14th time August 14 against undefeated Krzysztof Glowacki. Assuming both he and Jones Jr. make it through their upcoming slates unscathed, they could perhaps meet in December, or early 2016.

Jones Jr. turns 47 in January, but age is just a number, right? As the rapper of "Can't Be Touched" told Rafael in June (in third-person, no less), "can't nobody tell Roy Jones when to start, and nobody can tell Roy Jones when he should stop."

Like 46-year-old Antonio Tarver and 50-year-old Bernard Hopkins, Jones Jr. is an aging boxer who refuses to hang up his gloves. As long as he keeps winning, he'll find little reason to stop boxing. It might be tough to conjure up reasons for him to keep boxing, but that's not how these guys are wired, for better or for worse.

From the ringside broadcast table to the ring, Premier Boxing Champions analyst B.J. Flores (31-1-1, 20 KO) will put aside his work behind the mic to step inside the ropes.

He'll fight former light heavyweight champion Beibut Shumenov (15-2, 10 KO) for the interim WBA cruiserweight title on Saturday at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas.

When: Saturday, July 25, at 9 p.m. ET

Where: Palms Casino in Las Vegas

TV: NBC

Flores has been working with PBC as an analyst for the series' NBC broadcast, but he's long been a talented fighter in his own right, as evidenced by his impressive record. Despite his in-ring success, Flores has struggled to get an opportunity to secure meaningful fights, let alone opportunities to compete for championships.

Without question, Saturday's fight is a huge one for Flores.

Shumenov had a successful move up to cruiserweight in his last bout. In December 2014, he stopped Bobby Thomas in the fifth round of a fight scheduled for eight. The win came eight months after Shumenov was beaten by ageless wonder Bernard Hopkins for the WBA light heavyweight title via split decision.

With his days at 175 pounds firmly behind him, the 31-year-old Shumenov is ready to make a play for more gold. 

Fighter Speak

Flores' path to his first title shot is a rare one.

Normally, an athlete of his caliber—he didn't experience his first loss until he had been a pro for seven years—would have gotten a chance to fight for a title before he was 36 years old. After all, Flores has been professional since 2003, but most in the boxing community know him best for his TV work.

Early in his career, he was promoted by Don King, but King was unable to push Flores to the forefront. Finally, Flores is getting a chance to compete for one of the benchmarks of the sport.

Flores said, per Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports:

As an athlete, this is the stage you want to be on, fighting the best in the world and competing for the ultimate prize. I never would have guessed it would have turned out like it has and that I'd be at this stage of my career before [I got a title shot].

I'm also aware, though, that there have been great fighters throughout history who, for one reason or another, didn't get to fight for the title. So while I kind of feel like the business of boxing got me, I'm grateful that I have this opportunity and I really want to make the most of it.

Better late than never.

Shumenov didn't get started early, but he's made up for lost time. He turned professional in 2007 at the age of 24. After a distinguished amateur career that saw him represent Kazakhstan in the 2004 Olympics, Shumenov won the regular WBA light heavyweight title in 2010 in a rematch with champion Gabriel Campillo. Like Flores, Shumenov is an excellent all-around athlete. He has fast hands with decent power. 

It'll be interesting to see if he can take it to the cerebral and tough Flores.

Shumenov would love nothing more than to become a two-division champion before having his 20th professional bout.

Also on the Card…

Two undefeated, Michigan-based cruiserweights will square off in the top preliminary bout. Jordan Shimmell faces Isiah "The Piston" Thomas (yeah, he went there). Both men competed in the Golden Gloves and put together notable amateur careers.

Shimmell has proven to be a devastating puncher, while Thomas' pure boxing skill has led to his spotless record. This could be an entertaining appetizer for the Flores-Shumenov main event.

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Tony Bellew is in action for the first time in 2015 when he takes on late replacement Ivica Bacurin in a 10-rounder at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on Friday.

The English cruiserweight has not fought since getting the better of archrival Nathan Cleverly in their second meeting last November, the Welshman having won previously when they clashed at light heavy.

After a busy time away from boxing, Bellew is back on a bill that also includes fellow local boys Callum Smith and Rocky Fielding, as well as Matchroom's latest recruit, Martin Murray.

Smith and Fielding take on Christopher Rebrasse and Brian Vera respectively—if both are victorious, it will set up a showdown between the pair of super middleweights, with that bout due to take place in September.

When: Friday, June 26, 10 p.m. BST

Where: Echo Arena, Liverpool, England

TV: Sky Sports (UK)

Live Stream: Sky Sports (UK, regional restrictions apply)

Lights, cameras, action!

Bellew's boxing career was put on hold when he was offered the chance to appear in the film Creed, the latest instalment in the Rocky series.

The 32-year-old swapped gym sessions for on-set shoots as he worked alongside Sylvester Stallone. Now, though, he admits he is glad to be back to the day job. He told Gareth A Davies of the Telegraph: 

It's a lot better taking pretend punches to the face than real ones I can assure you.

But I have missed boxing, really bad. I love fighting, I don't know what it is in me, whether it's a sickness or a gene, but I just love standing in front of another fighter and going for it, they can hurt me and I can hurt them.

Bellew (23-2-1, 14 KOs) seems ready to focus fully on his main career goal—winning a world title.

He is ranked, per Fightnews.com, inside the top 10 by the IBF, WBC and WBO, though the former of the trio seems his most likely opportunity.

The move up to the 200-pound limit has taken away much of the stress he had previously in trying to make the weight, while it also allows the Bomber to carry even more power.

He has had to cope with a change of opponent, having initially been due to face hard-hitting Lubos Suda. The Czech had produced a knockout in 25 of his 33 victories, making him a dangerous man for Bellew to face after a period of inactivity.

But the switch to Bacurin should not worry Bellew—he knows victories, no matter whom he is up against, are his only concern at this stage of his career.

Switching it up

. @TonyBellew weigh-in #AllOrNothing pic.twitter.com/OCYs3cf5nI

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) June 25, 2015

As late replacements go, Bacurin (22-7-1, 12 KOs) is not a bad one.

Having to find a new fighter at such short notice can be a nightmare for promoters, but the Croatian's record suggests he can fill the void left by Suda's withdrawal.

The 32-year-old took former cruiserweight world champion Juan Carlos Gomez the full eight rounds last year, while he also lost out on points to German Francesco Pianeta, who will challenge Ruslan Chagaev for the WBA heavyweight title next month.

Since that loss to Pianeta, Bacurin has reeled off four quick victories, though none of his opponents during the streak had winning records.

Bellew sees this next fight as a stepping stone to a clash with IBF champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez, per Nick Parkinson of ESPN: "The Hernandez fight is happening, sooner or later. I've said a number of times that he is the best fighter in the division, he's the most difficult fighter to beat in the division."

Still, Bacurin should not be underestimated. He is a sizeable hurdle (standing at 6′2″) that the home favourite has to clear.

Due to Bacurin accepting the fight at short notice, the two camps agreed to a weight limit of 204 pounds.

Prediction

We will have to wait to judge Bellew's acting skills, but facing Bacurin should tell us whether his stint in Hollywood has had any effect on his talents in the ring.

Expect the local boy to be cautious in the opening rounds, allowing him to feel his way back in.

If he is patient and picks his times to launch an attack, Bellew can slowly wear down his foe. Expect him to win by stoppage, between Round 6 and Round 8.

The cruiserweight division isn't exactly the glamour weight class of boxing, but there's a dandy on tap this Saturday in Moscow. WBA champion Denis Lebedev (26-2, 20 KO) will defend his title against Ring Magazine's No. 9-rated cruiserweight, Youri "El Toro" Kalenga (21-1, 14 KO). The Russian-born Lebedev will have a clear home-field advantage, but he and Kalenga will be the only two men in the ring.

If you're in Russia, you'll have a chance to watch this bout on television.

When: Saturday, April 10, at 11 a.m. ET and 6 p.m. local time

Where: Luzhniki in Moscow

TV: Fight will only be broadcasted in Russia (Check local listings)

Inactivity and Bravery

Back in 2012, Lebedev told Anson Wainwright of MaxBoxing that he wanted to have four fights in one year. That hasn't come close to happening. His brutal loss to Guillermo Jones in 2013 put him on the shelf for a time. Jones was subsequently stripped of the title following a positive test for a banned substance. 

The two fighters were supposed to meet in a rematch, but Jones again failed a drug test, and the second meeting was cancelled.

Because of the saga with Jones, Lebedev has fought just once in just under two years. At 35 years old, that's a bit of a concern. That said, there's no questioning Lebedev's heart. After the beatdown he took from Jones in their first fight, it took a lot of courage to jump at the chance to face him a second time.

Lebedev's grotesquely swollen eye from the first fight with Jones is one of those images that forever sticks in your mind. In his last fight, Lebedev easily dispatched Pawel Kolodziej via second-round KO. He knows the battle with Kalenga will be a tougher fight.

During a pre-fight press conference, with quotes captured by Alexey Sukachev of BoxingScene.com, Lebedev said:

I clearly expect a tough fight because of the fact Kalenga is stronger than my previous opponent (Pawel Kolodziej). I like his mentality, his desire to come in and fight whenever he is forced to. He reminds me of Rakhim Chakhkiev. However, Rakhim is a southpaw, and Youri is a different story.

Kalenga is "a different story" indeed.

EL Toro Is Seeing Red

Just collected our visas for Russia. Youri Kalenga vs Denis Lebedev April 10th for the WBA cruiserweight world title! pic.twitter.com/kTZZVAQmHc

— Gary Hyde (@nowhere2hyde) March 27, 2015

Per the tweet from Kalenga's manager, Gary Hyde, there's been no travel complications. Kalenga's eyes are firmly set on the target.

The 27-year-old from the Congo, who now resides in France, is a powerful puncher with his own wealth of toughness. According to fight records on BoxRec.com, Kalenga has never been down. However, he's surely put his share of opponents on the mat.

Kalenga has scored a stoppage win in four of his last five fights, and he hasn't lost since dropping a unanimous decision to Arturs Kulikauskis in 2013. Per the press conference, Kalenga showed respect for Lebedev, but he made it plain: He's coming for his title.

“I’ve been in the camp for quite a time." Kalenga said. "And I’ve studied Lebedev’s tapes perfectly. He is known for his durability but I know I’ll take his belt with me. I’ve been boxing my entire life; my father was a professional boxer so I feel no fear. I’m here to defeat Lebedev and take his title.”

Can Kalenga take advantage of his first shot at a world championship?

Prediction

Lebedev is going up against a determined, rugged and powerful foe. Both men pack a significant punch, but Lebedev's defense is a bit tighter. Kalenga is there to be hit, but he seems to be willing to take a shot so that he can land his hard left hook or crushing right hand.

The question is, can he afford to fight that way against Lebedev? The champion has a KO percentage of 71.43 percent, and 12 of his last 13 wins have come by stoppage. Kalenga's chin will be put to the test in this one. 

Lebedev struggles with length. That's part of the reason Jones gave him such a problem. Jones stands 6'4" and has a 76" reach. Kalenga is just over six feet tall. His reach isn't listed by BoxRec, but when looking at him in the ring, his arm length from fist to armpit doesn't look to be close to 76".

Kalenga is taller than the 5'11" champion, but he doesn't possess a big enough height advantage to make it a factor in the fight.

This bout will come down to counter punching, and Lebedev has the edge in that category. He'll time Kalenga's aggressive advances and catch him with hard counters that set up a TKO win in the middle rounds.

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At 46 years old, Roy Jones Jr. (60-8, 43 KO) is still one of the hardest-working men in boxing. On Saturday, March 28, he's set to have his second fight in 22 days when he faces Paul Vasquez (10-6-1, 3 KO) in the legend's hometown of Pensacola, Florida. 

There's no viewing information available at this time, but the details on that front came together at the 11th hour for Jones' fight with Willie Williams earlier in the month.

We do know the bout will be held at the Pensacola Bay Center, and Jones Jr. is planning for it to be a tune-up for what he hopes will be a shot at WBO cruiserweight champion Marco Huck later in the year.

Motivation

The question that seems to come up every time Jones takes the ring again is, "Why is he still fighting?" He's already a first-ballot Hall of Famer who was voted fighter of the decade for the 1990s. There's really nothing left for Jones to prove. 

In an interview with Bloody Elbow's Josh Samman, Jones said:

What keeps me motivated are things like that. We have talent that other guys dream of having. When you have a gift, you have to use it to the fullest. I don't wanna get to heaven and have God say "You could have won a world title at 46, why didn't you try?" Then I'm gonna feel bad. He's gonna say "Why did I give you that gift if you ain't gonna use it?" I gotta use it til I can't use it no more. When I close up shop, it'll be because I know I'm done and I can't do it no more. Until then I'm wide open.

Jones also loves the spotlight. He's an entertainer through and through. It's why he has dipped his hand in so many different genres of entertainment. Whether it be as a rapper, fight promoter, actor or any other venture, Jones likes to be front and center where he can please a crowd. 

Boxing still gives him the biggest platform to satiate those desires.

The Payday

Island Fights 33  Roy Jones Jr will return to the ring this weekend against Paul Vasquez who will be fighting for … pic.twitter.com/LM3iwCpTUg

— jb (@jbcday) March 26, 2015

To put it bluntly, Vasquez is going to Pensacola to get paid. That's not to say he won't give his best effort, but in the end, all he'll have to show for that is his share of the purse.

The 36-year-old has lost his last two fights via first-round KO, and he has little to no punching power. The chances that he beats Jones are about as slim as his 17.65 KO percentage.

The purse for the fight hasn't been publicized, but it would be a shock if it doesn't trump what Vasquez has been paid in any of his previous bouts. Essentially, Vasquez is just a body to keep Jones fresh and in front of the boxing community while he awaits a potential showdown with Huck.

Notable Stats

68 Fights, 69 Rounds

Obviously, there's a large disparity between the two fighters' experience, but the fact that Jones will be competing in his 69th professional fight and Vasquez has fought a total of 69 rounds really drives the point home.

When you consider Vasquez is not spring chicken at 36 years old, we gain further perspective on Jones' opponent's skill level.

11-Year Gap

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27GHWJv2fso

Here's another interesting stat along the same concept as the previous one: Jones won his first world title 11 years before Vasquez turned pro. In 1993, Jones defeated Bernard Hopkins by unanimous decision at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C to win the vacant IBF world middleweight title.

Vasquez wouldn't turn pro until 2004, when he scored a TKO victory over a guy named Armando Alvarez, who had a record of 1-5-1.

4-Year Gap

Jones is on a six-fight win streak, but it's been four years since he faced a current or former world champion. His last such bout didn't end well. Current WBA cruiserweight champion Denis Lebedev stopped him in the 10th round in 2011.

Prediction

Jones will wipe the floor with Vasquez as he did Williams in his last fight. Who knows how long he'll continue to fight, but count on Jones to extend his winning streak with a TKO victory.

All stats per BoxRec.com 

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Ovill McKenzie and Matty Askin will finally meet in the ring on Friday when the two cruiserweights clash at York Hall in Bethnal Green.

The duo had been scheduled to meet in Widnes on March 14, only for that bout to be postponed at short notice.

Instead they will now travel to London to do battle, with McKenzie (23-12, 12 KOs) putting his British and Commonwealth titles on the line.

Askin (17-2, 10 KOs) has not fought in nearly a year, his last outing seeing him defeat Menay Edwards to be crowned English champion.

When: Friday, March 27 at 10 p.m. GMT

Where: York Hall, Bethnal Green, England

TV: BoxNation (subscription required)

Live Stream: BoxNation (subscription required and region restricted) 

Eyes on the prize

Friday the 27th!#BoxNation pic.twitter.com/srhw1WiZKo

— Ovill McKenzie (@OvillThe1) March 23, 2015

Born in Jamaica but now based in Derby, McKenzie has also campaigned at light heavyweight in his career. 

The 35-year-old is probably best known for putting Tony Bellew down twice in the early rounds of their first meeting in 2010, while he also has a stoppage victory over Enzo Maccarinelli on his record.

There are plenty of losses too, but McKenzie has never backed down from the opportunity to share a ring with any of his domestic rivals.

His heavy hands always make for lively fights, though McKenzie wants to be more than just an entertainer.

The Upsetter feels he can move a step closer to a tilt at a world title if he sees off the challenge of Askin, with Marco Huck firmly in his sights.

McKenzie said of a showdown with the WBO belt holder, per Kevin Francis of the Daily Star: “Without being disrespectful to Huck, I know that I could beat him. He’s got the style that I know I can overcome.”

Return to action

Askin has had to be patient for his chance to take on McKenzie.

As he revealed to Ryan Forde-Kelly of East Side Boxing, the delay has not hindered his preparations: 

It’s been 6-7 months in the making this fight and I’m sick and tired of hearing his name.

Believe me, when I get in that ring he is getting destroyed. That’s not being disrespectful to Ovill; he’s a very good fighter.

I just feel so good and so confident.

The 26-year-old has certainly had enough time to prepare for the test; his last fight was on March 29, 2014, against Edwards at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

He must hope there is no ring rust after so long out if he wants to make the most of the biggest opportunity in his professional career.

Prediction

Between McKenzie’s mixed record and Askin’s lack of activity of late, picking a winner isn’t an easy task.

Perhaps an indicator to the outcome could come from a previous opponent—both fighters have gone up against Jon-Lewis Dickinson, with contrasting outcomes.

While Askin lost on points in his first attempt to win the English belt in 2012, McKenzie stopped Dickinson inside two rounds last June.

In five of his last six outings the defending champion has won by stoppage. So long as he's not too preoccupied with thoughts of fighting Huck, Friday should see him add another to the collection.

He may, though, need to do it quickly. The more rounds that pass by, the better Askin's chances become of seizing the two belts on offer.

Future Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. (59-8, 42 KO) is still fighting and hungry for one more shot at a world championship. On Friday March 6, the 46-year-old Jones will take on journeyman Willie Williams (14-8-2, 4 KO) at Cabarrus Arena in Concord, North Carolina. There's no television or live stream broadcast for this bout.

This will be Jones' first fight in the United States since he won a 10-round decision over Max Alexander in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2011. As most can tell by Williams' modest record, he isn't expected to be much of a challenge for Jones.

The Motivation

Why is Jones taking this fight? It's simply to stay busy and prepare for a potential shot at WBO cruiserweight champion Marco Huck.

Jones discussed his chances of facing the longtime champion with ESPN.com's Dan Rafael. Jones said:

What I am doing is staying busy because Marco Huck said he will fight me in the fall. I ain't no spring chicken and I need to be properly prepared to fight Huck. If I get that fight it will probably be my last stab at (a world title) and then I'd call it a day. But I want to make sure I am ready as can be.

The 30-year-old Huck is 38-2-1 with 26 knockouts. He's successfully defended his title 12 times and figures to be a huge favorite if he and Jones should meet.

The Task at Hand

Jones must handle Williams and presumably another tune-up fight before meeting Huck. To his credit, Jones has won his last five fights. Granted, none of his wins have come against fighters most people will have heard of; but the streak has been enough to help the legend gain some steam for his quest toward a title.

In his last fight, Jones stopped Hany Atiyo to retain the WBU cruiserweight belt, which is not considered a world title. 

Williams has lost two of his last three fights, and he's likely glad to be receiving a modest payday and the chance to share a ring with Jones.

He's also no "spring chicken" at 36 years old. He's only been in one other fight in his career that was even scheduled for as many as 10 rounds. The chances he beats Jones are slim.

Prediction

Even at 46, Jones still has a glimmer of the skills that made him the best fighter on the planet for close to a decade. Against a fighter like Williams, that should be more than enough to keep the dream of fighting for another title alive.

While it may be painful to watch for Jones fans, I wouldn't bet against the bout with Huck happening. Jones' next tune-up bout figures to be just as easy as this fight. 

If he does get in the ring with Huck, it would be a miracle if Jones came out on top.

Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter. I dig boxing and MMA.