Jones might get called up to the 'Show'

Former pound-for-pound king Roy Jones Jr. flirted with Showtime early last year, but they never went on a date. Now, they're smitten again, and this time the relationship appears as though it will be consummated. The former four-division champion is close to signing a deal that would see him make his Showtime debut against Tony Hanshaw in a light heavyweight fight June 9 at a site to be determined. Lou DiBella, serving as Jones' promoter, has reached an agreement with Hanshaw promoter Gary Shaw, and they have also made a deal with Showtime. Hanshaw manager and trainer John Russell said they're excited about the opportunity to face the future Hall of Famer, but the ball is in Jones' court. "Roy has given me a verbal 'OK.' It's basically done," DiBella told ESPN.com, though he admitted he won't believe it until Jones signs. "I think it's an interesting fight. I'm more interested in seeing an older guy fight a young, hungry guy than in seeing two older guys fight." Jones, 38, is known for his unpredictability, and there's never a deal with him until it's signed. Showtime boxing boss Ken Hershman is hopeful it will get done. "I go by what Lou tells me, so we are drafting the contract as we speak," Hershman said. "I'm thrilled. I think it's great. It's nice to see another graduate of 'ShoBox' get a big fight and fulfill the mission of that [prospect-oriented] show. We'll see what Roy has left in his arsenal. "My deal with the promoters is done and we are moving forward. I have been reassured every step of the way that it's done. If that turns out not to be the case, Roy can go do what he does forevermore. You get one chance to burn me and that's it." Jones (50-4, 38 KOs) hasn't fought since August, when he won a lopsided decision against Badi Ajamu to end a three-fight losing streak, which included brutal knockouts to Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson. "I think if Roy can't beat Hanshaw, it's time to say goodbye," DiBella said. "Hanshaw is a young guy who has earned his contender status, but if Roy is still an elite fighter, he beats him and moves on to a very big fight. Having the opportunity to fight in front of national TV audience is something Roy needs right now. He doesn't need to be on another small pay-per-view show that nobody sees" like the Ajamu fight. Hanshaw (21-0-1, 14 KOs) was a standout amateur before turning pro in 2000, but his career went cold when he took two years off until returning in mid-2006. He signed with Shaw and has gone 3-0-1. The blemish came in January, when he and Jean Paul Mendy battled to a 12-round split draw in the final of Showtime's "ShoBox" super middleweight tournament. Even a diminished Jones figures to be a major step up for Hanshaw. "I'm excited that Roy is up for the challenge," Shaw said. "It speaks a lot about Roy that he is willing to take on a young guy." Hanshaw, 29, will move from 168 pounds to 175 for Jones, but Russell, best known for training and managing former heavyweight champ Buster Douglas, is not sure Jones will sign for the fight. Russell knows just how difficult it can be to finalize a fight with him. Douglas had signed to fight him in 1998 in what was supposed to be Jones' heavyweight debut, but Jones backed out. Russell said the nasty cut Hanshaw suffered near his right eye against Mendy was fine. "It was a bad cut, but if the fight happens, Tony will be just fine," Russell said. "Roy Jones is a great fighter. I'm a fan. But if the fight happens, we'll be there. We're at the stage now where we are ready to make a move and hopefully we'll get that fight together. I have lot of confidence in Tony." If Jones takes the fight, he would go up against his old network. HBO PPV has a major fight between welterweight titlist Miguel Cotto and Zab Judah the same night. Jones, of course, was the face of HBO for a decade before they parted ways (and Jones was fired from his broadcasting role) following his loss to Tarver in their October 2005 rubber match. A victory against Hanshaw could pave the way for a fall fight with middleweight champion Jermain Taylor, who would come up in weight. "If Roy wins, then obviously Jermain is a possibility," said DiBella, also Taylor's promoter. Other possible fights for Jones would be against the winner of the July 21 Bernard Hopkins-Winky Wright light heavyweight title fight or the winner of the April 7 Joe Calzaghe-Peter Manfredo super middleweight title fight. "There are whole bunch of possibilities for Roy, but he has to shine against Hanshaw," DiBella said. By scheduling a fight June 9, Showtime is eschewing its promise of scheduling "Showtime Championship Boxing" only on the first Saturday of each month. Instead, the network pushed boxing to June 9 and will air an hour of mixed martial arts bouts June 2 as a lead into an MMA pay-per-view event the same night.

This guy hasn't fought since August, I don't think he'll be ready if he does get the call.

What do you guys think on this one??