NEW YORK -- Roy Jones Jr. lost his gloves before he even
stepped in the ring Saturday night.
Jones wasn't allowed to wear colored boxing gloves honoring his
fraternity, Tau Kappa Epsilon, in his 170-pound fight against Felix
Trinidad at Madison Square Garden.
Jones hoped to sport a special pair of Grant gloves in burgundy
and gray to match his trunks with the fraternity's TKE logo and
colors. After Jones met with Trinidad's father and lawyer on the
morning of the bout, promoter Don King said Jones agreed to switch
back to Everlast gloves, as specified in the fighters' contract.
"I tried to do good for the TKE, but Tito's father was
obstinate, and Tito wouldn't even talk to me," Jones said. "I
have to wear Everlast gloves, so Tito will get an everlasting lick
upside his head."
Gloves are a sensitive subject to fighters, since different
brands can change the speed and power of their punches. Even a few
ounces of difference can cause contention in negotiations for
fighters' contracts.
Jones was initiated into Tau Kappa Epsilon last August in
Pensacola, Fla., his hometown. The fraternity has chapters on more
than 250 campuses in North America.