Jones Jr., Johnson Set to Join Belts

Roy Jones Jr. and Reggie Johnson spent a lot of time this week saying nice things about each other.

The pleasantries are over and both say it could really get nasty when they meet tonight to unify the light-heavyweight title.

Jones, who holds the WBC and WBA light-heavyweight championships, and Johnson, the IBF titleholder, believe they have been pointed toward this match for years.

“I’ve always known Reggie can fight and we’ve always wanted the same things,” Jones said. “It was only a matter of time before we had to see which one of us got what we wanted.”

Both fighters trained in Pensacola, Fla., early in their professional careers under the tutelage of Roy Jones Sr.

Jones Jr. said he grew uncomfortable with Johnson in his camp because he knew they would have to fight some day. His father’s refusal to dump Johnson led to a split between the Joneses. But while they were together, their intense sparing sessions taught Johnson and Jones to respect each other’s abilities.

“Of all the mountains I’ve had to climb, and the hurdles I’ve had to get over, this is the biggest,” Johnson said. “Roy is a great boxer and I like him, but I’m coming to win this thing and win big.”

On Friday, Jones weighed in at 174 pounds, Johnson at 171.

There hasn’t been an undisputed light-heavyweight champion since Michael Spinks relinquished the title in 1985 to successfully campaign for the IBF heavyweight championship against Larry Holmes.

The 30-year-old Jones, a former IBF middleweight and super-middleweight champion, won the WBC light-heavyweight title in 1996, lost on a disqualification to Montell Griffin in 1997 and regained the title with a first-round knockout of Griffin later that year.

Jones added the WBA title by outpointing Lou Del Valle last July 18.

Johnson, 32, a left-hander, won the WBA light-heavyweight title in 1992 and lost it in 1993. After failing twice to regain it, he became IBF champion by knocking out William Guthrie in the fifth round on Feb. 6, 1998.

Jones, who will defend his titles for the fifth time in the last 1 1/2 years, is a heavy favorite to grab his third championship. Even Johnson acknowledges his underdog role.

“This is the biggest fight of my life, and Roy’s life too,” Johnson said. “And I know what people expect. They call him the world’s best boxer pound-for-pound, but I also know what I expect and I’m going to shock everyone.

“I can’t predict a round. I can’t say exactly how. But I know I’m going to win.”