Jones looks for next opponent

NEW YORK – Back when Roy Jones Jr. was the best boxer in the world, most people thought his sport was dying. Now that boxing is back on the rise with one big fight after another, Jones is aching for a comeback of his own.

But even after Jones danced around Felix Trinidad to win a unanimous decision at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night, the 39-year-old will have to wait for the big-money matchups he’s craving.

After all, he didn’t take those fights when he first had the chance. The 1990s’ best pound-for-pound fighter was well-known for playing defense both inside and outside the ring, and now he’s dropped well down the list of boxing’s biggest names.

He’ll have to get in line for fighters who once would have loved to meet him – but don’t tell that to Jones, who still sees himself as the biggest name in any room.

“I’m still Superman, and I’m still the guy that nobody wants to fight,” said Jones, who hadn’t beaten any opponent of consequence in four years until he shut down Trinidad, who hadn’t fought in 32 months.

Jones’ perceived reluctance to take on the biggest fights during his prime came to symbolize everything that was wrong with boxing in the 1990s. He contented himself with second-tier matchups that kept the money rolling in, but usually didn’t test his unparalleled skills.

Jones might find Joe Calzaghe or another current champion to be more generous to him than he was to the contenders who wanted a shot at his belts 10 years ago. The eight-time champion in four weight classes is determined to fight on.