Bill Vilona

bvilona@pnj.com

When he last fought in Pensacola 16 months ago, Roy Jones Jr. vowed to return.

He's going to fulfill the promise as the main event for Island Fights 38 on Aug. 13 at the Bay Center.

Jones, 47, whose hometown love has endured since he launched his decorated pro boxing career 27 years ago, will fight 40-year-old Rodney Moore, who has a cruiserweight title belt in his distant past. The fight was finalized Friday and will be the marquee part of a fight card with a combination of boxing and mixed martial arts bouts.

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"He wants to end his career in Pensacola at some point," said McGee Wright, who has been Jones' long-time manager. "I'm not saying this is his last fight but he started here, and he wants to end it here."

Jones (63-9, 46 KOs) will be part of a fight card that will include 19-year old Devin Cushing, a Pine Forest grad, who fought in the U.S. Olympic Boxing Trials and has been a runnerup at the World Championships for amateur boxing, making his pro debut as a lightweight.

The MMA portion of the Island Fights card will include a main event heavvweight bout between Crestview's Sammy Collingwood and Pensacola's Dillon Clecker. Dakota Merritt, Elvin Brito and popular teenage MMA welterweight Ignacio Bahamondes from Chile will be part of the card.

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"It is the best fight card we have ever put together," said Dean Toole, the CEO of Island Fights. "A lot of locals fighting. A lot of heavyweights. Just some of the best talent we have had."

Toole said tickets for the fight card are expected to go on sale Wednesday at the Bay Center and online. Tickets will be priced at $25 to $80. For anyone wishing to purchase table seating, Toole advised to call 435-4061.

Jones, a future boxing Hall of Fame member, who won world titles in five different weight classes during his career peak, last fought on March 20 in Phoenix, Ariz. during a challenge event against an MMA fighter named Vyron Phillips. The 33-year old Phillips was knocked down by Jones in the second round and the fight was stopped.

That event followed his fourth-round knockout loss on Dec. 12 against Enzo Maccarinelli in Moscow that left debate on whether he would fight again.

"You have Roy coming up on the end of his career and Devin who is beginning his career on the same night in Pensacola," Toole said. "It is really special to get witness something like that.

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"I grew up in Pensacola. Roy is the reason why I became a fan of combat sports in general. To have him on our show, I can't explain how it feels and to be business partners with somebody like him."

In fighting Rodney Moore, who won the World Boxing Association (WBA)-North American Boxing Association (NABA) light heavyweight title in 2003 in New Orleans, Jones is facing a guy who continues to stay active as 40-plus fighter. Moore has lost his last nine fights, most by unanimous decision, including one Feb. 13 in Biloxi.

Wright said Jones took the fight on Aug. 13 after feeling an emotional hit when Blue Angels pilot Capt. Jeff Kuss was killed in a tragic accident last month in Smyrna, Tenn. Jones has frequently met the Blue Angels and makes weekly trips on Pensacola Naval Air Station when in town.

Wright said Jones will dedicate the fight to the Blue Angels. He plays in a basketball league at NAS.

"(Kuss death) touched home with Roy. The Blue Angels are from Pensacola, Roy is from Pensacola," Wright said. "Roy doesn't watch a lot of TV or a lot of news. But he became real interested in hearing what happened to this pilot and the Blue Angels. It weighed on him. He was asking a lot of questions.

"He said that guy was entertaining people. He was doing what he loved to do and he gave his life up for it. So I think this iis a way to give back to Blue Angels Roy is just a good person. He loves Pensacola. he will do anything for Pensacola."

Jones has repeatedly said in interviews that boxing has been forever part of his life and he loves to continue to take selected bouts no matter how it is perceived by anyone.

He continues in his role with HBO as a ringside commentator and runs his own gym training fighters.

"He wants to stay active," Wright said. "He trains guys every day and kinda misses it."

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Island Fights 38

WHO: Combination of boxing, MMA bouts

WHEN: Aug. 13, first bout after 7 p.m.

WHERE: Pensacola Bay Center

MAIN EVENTS: (Boxing) Roy Jones Jr. vs. Rodney Moore (Cruiserweight) and (MMA) Dillon Clecker vs. Sammy Collingwood (heavyweight).