Boxing great speaks to Louisville students ahead of black tie event this weekend

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Boxing great Roy Jones Jr. spoke to kids in Louisville Thursday afternoon.

Jones visited students at the West End School and the Shawnee Boys and Girls Club.

He won an Olympic silver medal in 1988 and world championships in four different weight classes as a professional fighter.

Jones said Louisville's greatest inspired him to get in the ring.

"I saw Muhammad Ali doing it, with his mind outsmarting people, p***ing them off and then beating them, I said 'Oh, I can do that.' That's what led me to boxing," he said. "I learned life lessons like hard work. Be a hard worker. Don't give up or let other people get in your head and stay focused on your goal."

Jones is in town promoting a black tie boxing event in Louisville this Saturday.

The Hall of Fame boxer will be in the corner of an 18-year-old local fighter making his pro boxing debut.

To purchase tickets for this weekend's event, click here.

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