Twenty-nine year old Anthony Hanshaw arrives Sunday in Biloxi, MS with his mission to upset superstar Roy Jones, Jr. and make an instant name for himself in the boxing world. The Jones-Hanshaw 12-round main event fight headlines a scheduled nine-bout card, which will be distributed live via pay-per-view worldwide from the Mississippi Coast Coliseum Saturday July 14.
“I’m ready. It’s my time now,” said Hanshaw from his training camp in Las Vegas. “I’m going to win the fight. I have great respect for Roy, but as I say, it’s my time.”
Hanshaw is training under the watchful eye of the flamboyant Floyd Mayweather, Sr., their first time working together. Mayweather most recently trained Oscar De La Hoya before separating from him so as not to work against his son, who fought De La Hoya last May.
Hanshaw says this has been his toughest training camp ever. He’s up daily at 5:30 AM to run about 5 miles. Sometimes he runs up mountains with elevations of 7,000 feet, in work boots. He runs forwards, backwards, and sideways and always punching while running. He also runs sprints.
After a rest, he’s off to a private gym. His sparring partners have included former world title contender Kofi Jantuah of Africa, and prospect Ron Johnson of Cleveland, who is also on the July 14 card.
“I have also seen a lot of tape of Roy fighting,” said Hanshaw. “Monday was my last big day of sparring. We are going to start tapering down and building back up for the night of the fight,” he added.
Jones Camp Update
Already in Biloxi!
Biloxi, MS – Roy Jones, Jr. is already at the IP Biloxi, the host headquarters. He sparred Monday evening in front of approximately 500 fans in a ring set up in the IP Biloxi Casino Resort - Spa Conference Center. Jones sparred several rounds with Akinyemi Laleye of Nigeria, who is 6-1 as a pro. Also Alfredo Anjulo, 6-0, of Mexicali, Mexico went a few rounds with Jones. He then did a few rounds of mitt work to the enjoyment of the crowd.
Jones took time to say “hello” to the excited crowd before he started and afterwards signed autographs and took pictures until the last fan left. Longtime trainer Alton Merkerson put Jones through the paces. Promoter Murad Muhammad also spoke to the audience.
