Roy Jones Pulls out of fight

Thursday, Feb. 5, 1998 | 9:07 a.m.

line By Dean Juipe: Las Vegas SUN

The Roy Jones vs. Buster Douglas fight that appeared to be set for May 2 in Atlantic City is off. Top Rank, which had the fight on its schedule, announced that Jones has pulled out of the bout.

Murah Muhammad, Jones' promoter, informed Top Rank that Jones' father told him he "was risking his life" by getting in the ring with Douglas.

Jones, a light heavyweight, was going to move from 175 pounds to the heavyweight division to face the 235-pound Douglas. Jones is 35-1 and generally regarded as boxing's finest fighter, yet he figured to come in at a physical disadvantage against the former undisputed heavyweight champion.

Jones passed up an $6 million payday for the bout, Top Rank claimed.

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