THEY never come back is an old expression in boxing which, with some notable exceptions, has usually proved true over the years and I fear that will be the case with the great Roy Jones junior on Saturday night.

I'd love to see Jones beat Antonio Tarver when he meets him for the third time after winning narrowly on points to successfully defend the world light-heavyweight title before being crushed inside two rounds in their second clash.

I've always been a fan and believe it is tremendous what he has achieved in boxing. It would be sad if he left no legacy after all he's done and was remembered for being knocked out in his last three fights, which would be the case if he lost inside the distance again.

He won world titles at middleweight, super-middleweight, light-heavyweight and, remarkably, heavyweight, something no-one else could do, and he's taken part in 26 world title fights which emphasises his remarkable talent.

I've always admired his fantastic style and for sheer natural talent I think he has been a much, much better fighter than Antonio Tarver.

Tarver is a good, solid professional but he's nothing outstanding and I'd love to see Jones bounce back to his best.

Unfortunately, nine out of ten times a fighter, particularly one who has been a great champion, is the last to realise when he's over the top and I think if Jones loses again on Saturday he should pack it up once and for all and retire.

For the first time in his long career he's going into a fight as the underdog though after being stopped inside a round and a half by Tarver last time that's hardly surprising.

He was also knocked out by Glen Johnson, who is not a terrific puncher, and in that fight it looked as though his speed and reflexes had gone.

Only he knows if he trained properly for the Johnson and previous Tarver fights and if he can somehow summon that ability back.

He has been back training with his dad who he had a fall-out with quite a few years ago and if the pair could somehow pull this one off it would make quite a film.

Although Jones and Tarver are the same age, 36, Tarver is a fresh fighter in comparison.

It's not just age, it's how many fights you've had and how many tough ones, and Jones has had twice as many as Tarver and almost all at the highest level.

Some fighters are burnt out in their late twenties while others are still competitive at 40 and time seems just to have caught up with Jones.

He was also caught up in steroid abuse once and though I don't like to think he cheated and I don't believe it in any way enhanced his tremendous speed, footwork and natural ability, it could have had a detrimental effect later.

And tonight Glen Johnson, one time conqueror of both Tarver and Jones, is in an IBF world light-heavyweight title eliminator against one George Khalid Jones.

I know virtually nothing about Johnson's opponent, except his trainer is Nettles Nasser, the idiot who caused all the problems at the weigh-in of my fight with Kabary Salem. For that reason alone I hope Johnson smashes him up.

Johnson's a good fighter who fights the same way every time - aggressive, hustling and bustling - and who you can rely on to give a performance.

I had a look on the internet to find out more about Jones and saw that he was stopped by Eric Harding and lost on points to Montell Griffin, so it looks like the twice he has stepped into world class he has been found out.

So as long as Johnson fights his usual fight, I see him stopping this guy.

The tragic death in America of Leavander Johnson after his world title clash with Jesus Chavez has brought home again just how dangerous a sport boxing is.

Unfortunately, there will always be such tragic accidents but all boxers know the risks as well as the rewards and you have to just put the worries to one side.

Medical back-up today is better than ever, but tragedies will happen and what was particularly sad in Johnson's case was that although well beaten, he did not take a hammering.

But it's horrible when these things happen and my thoughts will be with his family at his funeral this weekend. As for myself, it's three weeks now since I broke my left hand and it has felt a bit better over the last few days.

It's no longer in plaster, instead I'm wearing what might be termed a hand strap, though I have to be careful not to jar the hand or bang it.

I'm still looking to be back in action around February, but meanwhile I hope to resume light training, mainly running, on Monday and get some general fitness going.

Considering I've virtually done nothing since my last fight, I still feel in good shape.