Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. says he is willing to help Justin Gaethje prepare for a potential fight with UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.
A potential Justin Gaethje vs. Ilia Topuria showdown is already generating outside interest, and now Roy Jones Jr. wants in. The former four-division boxing champion said he would be open to helping Gaethje prepare for a fight against the UFC lightweight titleholder, a matchup that would instantly become one of the most anticipated bouts on the UFC calendar if booked for a major pay-per-view such as UFC 317 in Las Vegas.
Jones framed the challenge in simple terms: Gaethje has to deal with Topuria’s power without standing in front of it. His point was less about winning a pure boxing match and more about surviving exchanges, taking sting off incoming shots with subtle movement or partial blocks, and then firing back before Topuria can fully reset. That idea matters because Topuria has recently built his reputation on sharp, compact punching and the kind of finishing instincts that have made him one of the most dangerous men in the sport.
For the lightweight division, this is the kind of fight that could reshape the title picture in one night. If Topuria beats a battle-tested contender like Gaethje, he strengthens his case as a two-division star who can anchor pay-per-views for the next few years. If Gaethje pulls it off, he immediately reasserts himself as a championship-level threat and reminds everyone that his power and durability still translate against elite technicians.
From an American fan perspective, the appeal is obvious. Gaethje has long been viewed as must-see violence, the action fighter who can turn any bout into chaos. Topuria, meanwhile, is increasingly seen as the new-school finisher with the confidence and skill set to crash through established names. That clash of styles is why this matchup would get serious traction in the U.S. market.
Jones also made clear that he is willing to work with Gaethje if asked, saying he offers help to anyone who believes in God and is prepared to pay for his time. If this fight comes together, the real question is whether Gaethje can make Topuria uncomfortable before Topuria’s timing and power take over.
