Jones believes he's the real Captain Hook

Roy Jones Jr. was apparently in rare form during Wednesday's press conference at the Gulf Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Miss., touting next month's tilt between he and St. Pete's Jeff "Left Hook" Lacy.

For this fight, Jones (53-4, 39 KOs) has dropped his old moniker of "Super Man" and has adopted the new nickname of "Captain Hook."

And let's not mention the pirate's outfit he wore.

"I enjoy the business of entertaining," said Jones, who's NABO light heavyweight title is up for grabs. "I am in this business because that's what God blessed me to do and I enjoy entertaining people."

After that pseudo serious moment, Jones began the entertainment.

"Left Hook Lacy, if you looked at him, you can't tell he gives a left hook," Jones said. "You can't tell anything about it. But I'm here to let you know off top, from the press conference, that I am a hooker. I have the best hook in the business. That's why I dressed up as Captain Hook, so you know I ain't playing about my hook."

Many would say this fight, which will take place August 15 at the Gulf Coast Arena in Biloxi, can be categorized as a crossroads fight for both men.

Jones beat a lesser opponent in Omar Sheika in March and before that, lost to Joe Calzaghe. Prior to losing to Calzaghe, Jones beat a downgraded Felix "Tito" Trinidad. And at 40, there's no telling how many fights are left for Jones.

Lacy (25-2, 17 KOs) collected a close majority decision victory against Sacramento's Otis Griffin in April and before that, lost to Jermain Taylor via a unanimous decision. Of his last four victories, three have come by majority decision.

Additionally, both want to prove their relevance in the boxing world.

As for the "cross roads" suggestion, Lacy begs to differ.

"I know what I have," Lacy said. "It's not a cross roads for me. I know I have it. It's the fact that someone is getting in the ring and willing to fight."

What Lacy fully understands is Roy Jones Jr. will bring a serious challenge.

"This is a huge challenge for me," said Lacy, 32. "I'm still a young fighter. I'm still developing each and every time I get into the ring. This is a very important fight because to rebuild a young, talented fighter, you have to take on challenges and that's what we're doing. This is the next big challenge for me and for me to win this, it [would be] huge."

Just ask Tampa's Antonio Tarver.

Jones and Tarver met three times between 2003 and 2005, with Jones collecting a majority decision win in the first bout. In their second match, Tarver became the first opponent to knock Jones out. That came in the second round. In the third and final matchup, Tarver was a unanimous decision winner.

That catapulted Tarver into title fights with Bernard Hopkins, Clinton Woods and Chad Dawson. You can also throw in a starring role in the motion picture Rocky Balboa.

"This challenge is a huge challenge for me as my career is rebuilding from the Calzaghe fight, I would have to say yes," Lacy said of the possible re-launching of his career from a win against Jones. "Even if it was somebody else with a big name. Each and every one of my fights from here on out is a build up and a great fight. Things are going to trickle from them."

Moments after being named the winner against Griffin, Lacy took the microphone, while still in the ring, and directed his attention to Jones, who sat ringside. He told Jones he wanted a fight.

Ask and you shall receive.

"Pretty much with me, all it takes in boxing is if you have a decent name, I mean, Jeff ain't got but two losses, and if you got a decent name then it's legitimate," Jones said. "It's something that people want to see. All it takes is to say the word."

Making this a bit more interesting is the fact Australia's Danny Green is on the undercard. In June, Jones was on a video conference call and said he would love to face Green next.

The Lacy-Jones showdown, dubbed "Hook City," will air on pay-per-view at a cost of $34.95 live at 9 p.m. ET. Tickets, which can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com, range from $25-150. The fight is a joint venture by Lacy's Left Hook Promotions and Jones' Square Ring Promotions.