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Former world champions Roy Jones and Felix 'Tito' Trinidad have promised fireworks when they meet in Saturday's 12-round non-title fight at Madison Square Garden.
Five-times champion Trinidad, 35, back in the ring after 32 months in retirement, told a news conference on Tuesday he would knock his opponent out in two rounds.
Eight-times champion Jones, who turns 39 on Wednesday, shouted "he will hit the floor in four" to counter chants of "Tito, Tito" from the Puerto Rican's supporters.
The winner of the battle between the ageing warriors will be a logical candidate to take on American Bernard Hopkins or Joe Calzaghe of Britain, who are expected to meet in Las Vegas in April.
"I want Calzaghe next," American Jones told Reuters.
Although he takes a 51-4 win-loss record into Saturday's contest, Jones has not beaten a significant opponent in four years following a dominant 10-year run through the middleweight, super-middleweight and light-heavyweight divisions.
He will be fighting at his lightest for more than 11 years. The super-middleweight limit is 168 pounds but officials have imposed a 170-pound limit for the Madison Square Garden bout.
In his best days Trinidad (42-2) ruled as a welterweight, junior-middleweight and middleweight.
"I feel strong at this weight," he said. "My hands are as ready as they have always been. When I catch him he will feel my power."
Jones has trained for three months while Trinidad has worked twice as long to prepare for the fight.
"Tito has been training with passion as he never has before," said his trainer, manager and father Felix Trinidad Sr.
"He (Jones) has the one thing that Tito wants. Tito wants to defeat his fourth gold Olympic medallist."
Trinidad has also beaten former Olympic champions Oscar De La Hoya, Pernell Whitaker and David Reid.
Jones, who lost three light-heavyweight title fights in a row before winning one decision in 2006 and another in 2007 against lesser opponents, said he had regained his desire.
"The old razzle and dazzle, have a good time, lovin' himself Roy Jones will be back," he said.
- REUTERS
