
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, July 7, 1995                   TAG: 9507070053
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NORFOLK                                LENGTH: Medium

WHITAKER SAYS HE'S STILL BEST

If Roy Jones thinks he's the world's best pound-for-pound fighter, Pernell Whitaker says he should think again.

``We are not competing for pound for pound,'' Whitaker said. ``We already know who that is. I claimed that title a long time ago, and until I step down from the game I will be pound for pound the best.''

Whitaker spoke by conference call Thursday from his home in Norfolk to announce his Aug. 26 title defense of the WBC welterweight title against Scotland's Gary Jacobs in Atlantic City, N.J.

Whitaker (35-1-1) will be fighting in his 17th world championship bout. The 31-year-old has been a world champion since 1989, holding six titles in four weight divisions.

In his last outing, Whitaker went up in weight to beat WBA junior middleweight champion Julio Cesar Vasquez before relinquishing the belt.

Whitaker's promoter Dan Duva says Jones does not even come close to matching that kind of record. Jones is the undefeated IBF super middleweight champion.

He won the title last year and in his last two fights knocked out Antonie Byrd in the first round and stopped Vinny Pazienza in the sixth round last month.

``Roy Jones is a good fighter, but beating Vinny Pazienza does not warrant any great accolades,'' Duva said. ``You can't compare his recent fights with the quality of competion with Pernell's. You are supposed to knock those people out.''

Though Whitaker easily outpointed Vasquez in March, it was not a towering performance against the Argentine, something he promises to correct against Jacobs.

``I'm going to be spectacular in this fight,'' Whitaker said. ``I need personally to have a spectacular fight.''

Jacobs (41-5) is a well tested fighter, but he has never fought for a world title previously.

``I never discuss what I going to do,'' Whitaker said. ``I'm just going to be spectacular from round 1 to 12.''

On the undercard, WBA welteweright champion Ike Quartey (25-0) of Ghana will defend against Andrew Murray (18-2) of Guyana.

by CNB