PENSACOLA, FLORIDA — In what he says will be his curtain call fight, the six-time world champion Roy Jones Jr. will face off against Scott Sigmon on February 8, from the Pensacola Bay Center.
Jones, who will compete in his 75th bout as a professional, will hear the bell for the final time in the same city where he made his professional debut in 1989; his hometown of Pensacola. The vacant WBU cruiserweight title will be on the line in a matchup that will be promoted by Jones’ company Square Ring Promotions.
Sigmon (30-11-1, 16 KOs), a journeymen, has fought some solid opposition throughout his career, with his most notable bouts against Kelly Pavlik, J’Leon Love and Luis Arias — who just suffered his first loss against Daniel Jacobs last year. However, even though these bouts were losing efforts, Sigmon is coming off a unanimous decision victory back in August against Javier Frazier (8-2-1).
Roy Jones Junior hits UFC FIGHT PASS! The legendary boxer competes in his final fight – plus full boxing/MMA supporting card – LIVE on FIGHT PASS, Thurs, Feb 8. pic.twitter.com/vZSlHhWeh0
— UFC Fight Pass (@UFCFightPass) January 26, 2018
Nevertheless, the most surprising news to come out of this announcement, is the notion that Jones’ bout will stream on the Ultimate Fighting Championships’ (UFC) Fight Pass network. Jones credited his friendship with UFC president Dana White as a driving factor in having his final matchup on the mixed martial arts’ (MMA) platform.
“I have been friends with Dana White for years and I am so excited for UFC Fight Pass to be streaming this event,” Jones said in a press release.
MMA bouts will be alongside other boxing cards during the stream broadcast, as this will mark the first time ever that the digital service will stream boxing events on their subscription-based network. White, who just contributed to the boxing event between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Conor McGregor last summer, has been talking about getting into the boxing promotional game, and this only fuels the speculation in his potential plans.
“Roy Jones has had a long and distinguished career,” White said. “We have wanted to work together for a long time and I’m glad that I could bring his final fight to all the fans who have UFC Fight Pass.”
The telecast will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT and Jones is expected in the ring at around 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, according to the release. More information, including how to watch Jones’ final fight, can be found here.
“This is where it all began for me,” Jones said in regards to this upcoming finale in his hometown. “This will be my 75th professional fight, and it will be my last one.”
(Feature photo: Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review Journal)
