Gamebred Boxing 4 delivered a main event for the ages on Saturday night as former UFC lightweight champion Anthony ‘Showtime’ Pettis strapped on the 16oz gloves for his first professional boxing bout. Meeting him inside the squared circle was legendary pugilist Roy Jones Jr. With 66 career victories to his credit, Jones Jr. is one of the most decorated competitors in the history of the sweet science. More than five years removed from his last fight, ‘Superman’ returned to the squared circle for a showdown with a true icon of MMA.
Round 1
Jones Jr. comes out with a very measured start. Pettis moves forward early as the two begin trading jabs. Pettis throws a combination that is blocked by Jones’ high guard. Big hook from Jones. Pettis jabs to the head and then immediately to the body. Jones responds with a jab of his own. Pettis rips to the body of Jones. Jab to the body from Pettis following by a right-left combination just before the round ends.
Round 2
Anthony Pettis comes out firing and Jones responds with a still jab. Jones begins to move forward in the second rather than hang near the ropes as he did in the first. A stiff jab from Jones doesn’t get through. Four punch combo from Pettis as he remains the busier fighter. Pettis rips to the body again as Jones gives him a big smile. Big left hand from Pettis as Jones continues to move forward, working his jab. A right hook to the body from Pettis. Jones lands a big right to close the round.
Round 3
Anthony Pettis goes back to the jab to start round three. 3-2 combo from Pettis. Jones fires back with a jab. Pettis goes to the body as he holds the center of the ring. Classic left hook from Jones. Jab to the body from Pettis. ‘Showtime’ walks down Jones and delivers a combo while he has Jones cornered. Step in right hand from Jones lands. Jones attempts to turn up the pressure and Pettis responds by coming right back at him. Left hook from Jones. The solid right had from Pettis lands. Jones responds with an uppercut. Pettis hears the ten-second warning and delivers a series of strikes, but nothing lands clean before the end of the round.
Round 4
1-2 from Pettis to start the round. Double jab from Pettis. Jones delivers a double jab of his own in return. Pettis goes to the body and then a 1-2 upstairs. Big 1-2 from Jones. Coming forward, Jones is turning up the pressure and looks for an uppercut, but misses. Hook to the body from Jones. Short right hand from Pettis. ‘Showtime’ is coming forward, delivering a left hook-right hand combo. Jones again looks for the uppercut but misses again. Pettis moves in swinging but eats a right hand from Jones at the end of the fourth.
Round 5
A double jab from Pettis was followed by a 1-1-2. Jab right back from Jones. Right hand from Pettis lands and Jones throws back a left hook. The fighters trade jabs. A good right hand to the body from Pettis and Jones is beginning to look a little winded as he takes in a big breath. Left hook the body from Jones as Pettis returns fire with an overhand right. Pettis swings big with a leaping left hook that just misses. Pettis moves in with a variety of strikes. Jones delivers a left hook in return as the round ends.
Round 6
Anthony Pettis brings the pressure early in round six. Left hook from Jones followed by an uppercut that misses. Jones targets the body and Pettis delivers a right hook to the head. Pettis goes to the body, then doubles up on the jab. Right to the body from Pettis backs up Jones. The right hand from Pettis keeps Jones moving back. Jones fires back with a right that lands. Jab from Jones. Pettis fires back but is unable to land as the bell sounds.
Round 7
Anthony Pettis comes out pumping the jab. Jones puts his own jab out there in return and Pettis goes to the body. Step-in right hand from Jones. An Overhand right from Pettis moves Jones back, followed by a right to the body. The left hook from Jones and Pettis is beginning to bleed from his nose a bit. Pettis doubles up on the left hook but pays for it with a solid right from Jones at the end of the round.
Round 8
Anthony Pettis came out throwing volume with it being the last round. Jones goes to the body as both fighters are looking for one more big sequence to sway the scorecard in their favor. Jones drops his hand and continues to move his head as Pettis continues to march forward and throw heavy leather. Jones stays out of danger and returns fire as the final round ends.
Official Result: Anthony ‘Showtime’ Pettis def. Roy Jones Jr. via majority decision (76-76, 77-75, 78-74)
Check Out Highlights From Anthony Pettis vs. Roy Jones Jr. at Gamebred Boxing 4 Below:
Soak it in, fight fans. One of the greatest to ever do it. Give us one more main event, RJJ!!#GamebredBoxing4 pic.twitter.com/3XbcLkWKRu
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) April 2, 2023
Anthony Pettis the more aggressive fighter in round 1.#GamebredBoxing4 pic.twitter.com/e5nxv5CFb1
— UFE (@ufeworld) April 2, 2023
Roy Jones Jr. smirks at Anthony Pettis after some quick footwork pic.twitter.com/IpOEXJGs5a
— UFE (@ufeworld) April 2, 2023
Roy Jones Jr. found the fountain of youth with this uppercut!#GamebredBoxing4 pic.twitter.com/IgBhkdNUXR
— UFE (@ufeworld) April 2, 2023
Roy Jones Jr. lands his signature left hook on Anthony Pettis pic.twitter.com/4tv3gedsLh
— UFE (@ufeworld) April 2, 2023
Roy Jones Jr connects with the hook at the end of the round. #GamebredBoxing4 pic.twitter.com/BiWLo1bOjw
— UFE (@ufeworld) April 2, 2023
Round 6 is on the way! pic.twitter.com/W5EZE6PQOZ
— UFE (@ufeworld) April 2, 2023
Potentially tied 3 rounds to 3 going into round 7 pic.twitter.com/GB3am3QdoF
— UFE (@ufeworld) April 2, 2023
Will we see a KO in round 8?? pic.twitter.com/42UGBKo5mI
— UFE (@ufeworld) April 2, 2023
ACTION PACKED! Both Jones Jr. & Pettis are looking good going into the 8th round pic.twitter.com/HtcdZQDQYE
— UFE (@ufeworld) April 2, 2023
Anthony Showtime Pettis gets the decision victory over Roy Jones Jr. pic.twitter.com/sT6yOXPyJq
— UFE (@ufeworld) April 2, 2023
