By Rick Scharmberg
Photos: Courtney Gale Photography

Four-division world champion, and ring legend Roy Jones Jr. (64-9, 46 KOs) laces them up again on February, 17th, 2017, when he takes on former two-time world title challenger Bobby “The Celtic Warrior” Gunn (21-6-1, 18 KOs) at the Chase Center, in Wilmington, Delaware. They will contest for the vacant WBF world cruiserweight title. The fight was announced on a dreary, rainy afternoon in Wilmington, and the general mood of those in attendance at the kickoff press conference seemed to reflect that somberness.

Local politician and attorney Ciro Poppiti was the first to speak, and he did his best to generate some excitement. “Delaware was knocked down on the canvas, but we are getting back up. There was the Newsweek story that proclaimed Wilmington to be a ‘murder town’. This fight could have been made anywhere in the United States, but it will happen here. The sun is coming up. Roy Jones was in sunny Pensacola this morning, but he got on a plane and came here to announce that he will be fighting in our little community. That tells us that we are on the right path!”

Poppiti went on to mention that a member of “Delaware’s boxing royalty”, Joe Tiberi, will be fighting on the under card. By Delaware’s boxing royalty, Poppiti was referring not to transplanted Delaware residents Michael Spinks, Bernard Hopkins, or most recent addition, hall- of-famer, “Joltin” Jeff Chandler. He was referring to Joe’s uncle, Dave ‘TNT’ Tiberi, who lost a horrendous split decision to James Toney in a quest for Toney’s IBF middleweight title back in 1992. This was the same James Toney who lost his IBF super middleweight title to Roy Jones in 1994, and defeated Bobby Gunn in 2012.

Jones made reference to the Dave Tiberi – James Toney debacle when he said, “Dave Tiberi beat James Toney before I did!”

Right on cue, under card attraction Joe Tiberi (13-2, 6 KOs) stepped up to the dais, thanked everyone, and declared, “I can’t believe this is happening. I’m tired of living in my dad and uncle’s paths. I’m ready to make my own name!”

Bobby Gunn is a tough hombre. No one in attendance laughed when WBF honcho Joe Gibbs said, “Bobby Gunn never ran from anything, not even a gun.” Like Roy Jones, Gunn has been around the boxing block more than a few times. Perhaps unfairly, Gunn is best known for engaging in the first sanctioned bare-knuckle boxing match since 1889. He stopped his opponent, Richard Stewart, also from Delaware, and also in attendance, in three rounds. Gunn actually defended that bare knuckles title four months later.

People may not know that Bobby Gunn once challenged Enzo Maccarinelli for the WBO world cruiserweight title in 2007, and Tomasz Adamek for the IBF version of the same title in 2009. He also went the distance with Roy Jones-conqueror Glen Johnson. Co-promoter Marshall Kauffman had this to say about Gunn, “This man Bobby Gunn comes to fight. The great Roy Jones, this won’t be a walk in the park for him. This will not be a one round blowout. This fight will set the stage for the City of Wilmington and the State of Delaware.”

Co-promoter David Feldman said, “We could’ve taken this fight anywhere, but Ciro [Poppiti] pushed and pushed, and it will take place here in Delaware. We are two of the busiest promoters in the country, and I want to thank Marshall Kauffman for being part of that. Bobby Gunn is the face of bare knuckle boxing, but he has a prominent boxing career. He was a Canadian amateur champion. We just promoted Danny Garcia’s fight, and now we are promoting a four-division world champion in Roy Jones.”

Canadian pro Henry Stewart (2-0), will also appear on the under card. He said, “I thank David Feldman and Marshall Kauffman for this opportunity. It’s a dream come true to be on the same card with my uncle, Bobby Gunn, and with a legend like Roy Jones. I will train as hard as I can to put on a good show.”

Gunn, who seems to be related to everyone, then acknowledged former world champion Robert “Bam Bam” Hines, who came down from Philly, by pointing to him and saying, “Hello champ! I was there when you fought my cousin, Matthew Hilton!”

Someone asked Bobby if he thought Roy would go the distance with him. Gunn, who is very well spoken, was very respectful of his legendary, but past-his-prime opponent. “Go the distance? Not to be rude, but how could anyone say anything bad about this man. Like Archie Moore, he still has his power. He’s done it all, and he did it with fashion and grace!”

The fight will be aired live on pay-per-view.

Tickets are priced between $75 and $300, and can be purchased by calling (484) 935-3378.