Whitaker Scores Verbal Ko Against Jones; Jacobs Up Next

If Roy Jones thinks he’s the world’s best poundfor-pound fighter, Pernell Whitaker says he should think again.

“We are not competing for pound for pound,” Whitaker said. “We already know who that is. I claimed that title a long time ago, and until I step down from the game, I will be, pound for pound, the best.”

Whitaker spoke by phone Thursday from his home to announce his Aug. 26 defense of the WBC welterweight (147 pound) title against Gary Jacobs (41-5) in New Jersey.

Whitaker (35-1-1) will be fighting in his 17th world championship bout. He has been a world champ since 1989, holding six titles at four weights.

In his last outing, Whitaker went up in weight to beat WBA junior middleweight champ Julio Cesar Vasquez before giving up the belt.

“Roy Jones (160 pounds) is a good fighter, but beating Vinny Pazienza does not warrant any great accolades,” said Dan Duva, Whitaker’s promoter. “You can’t compare his recent fights with the quality of competition with Pernell’s. You are supposed to KO those people.”