Roy Jones eyes another world title chance in Moscow

USA-born boxing legend Roy Jones Jr, now officially a Russian citizen, has been demonstrating his sporting skills with Moscow police ahead of his next fight.

The 46-year-old thanked police chief Anatoly Yakunin for the invitation, saying he is "proud" to be part of the city police team and will help train the best boxers.

Boxer Roy Jones, center, poses for a photo after a training session for Moscow police officers at the sports center of the Public Safety Police Directorate for Moscow. © Alexey Filippov © Sputnik

"We started developing boxing only in 2013 - we hope that with the help of Roy Jones, we will have thousands of boxers here," Yakunin said.

Jones was granted Russian citizenship by President Vladimir Putin in September and received his new passport at a ceremony in Moscow during October.

This Saturday, December 12, Jones will fight Britain's Enzo Maccarinelli for the vacant WBA super world cruiserweight title in Moscow. Jones believes a win will lead to another legitimate world title fight - his last was in 2004 for the IBF light heavyweight title, which he lost.

His first world crown was the IBF middleweight title in 1993 and from then, until he beat John Ruiz to win the world heavyweight title in Las Vegas in 2003, he was unbeatable.

Jones last lost in 2011 in Moscow when Denis Lebedev, now the WBA cruiserweight world champion, stopped him with just two seconds left on the clock.

He has won eight times since then, including two in Russia, but Maccarinelli is the best fighter he has faced since the Lebedev defeat. Jones seems unconcerned by the prospect of losing his debut as a Russian in Moscow.

"This is my show, the fans will be there for me," said Jones. "I know that I can stop time and still win another world title."

Maccarinelli is also treating the fight like a world title eliminator.

"I know he's a Russian now and that suits me," he said. "I knocked out a Russian in Russia to win the European title in 2010."