Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 7 October 2005 — Page 32

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2005

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PAGE D7

Pinstripes erased, Pacers get new uniforms

By ERICKA P. THOMPSON Staff Writer

Stephen Jackson (left) and Jermaine O'Neal show off the new Indiana Pacers uniform. (Photo/W. Thomas)

No one really liked the Indiana Pacers pinstripe jerseys. Not even Pacer forward Jermaine O’Neal. “I didn’t really like the pinstripes that much,” he said during the team’s unveiling of the new uniforms. “The new uniforms feel nice, the material looks good and it looks good on us. I’m happy about it.” The uniforms are the 11th in franchise history, replacing the pinstripe look that the team had worn for several seasons. They have a classic look featuring the team’s traditional blue and gold, with a new accent of gray that is also added to the logo. Pacer guard Stephen Jackson believes the new uniform signifies a new start. “I like the uniforms,” he said. “It’s a new look and a new season. We’re coming with a new style this year trying to get rid of all of the bad news. We have Ron (Artest) back and some great, new additions to the team. We’re ready to show the world what we can do.” At Conseco Fieldhouse, the team will wear white uniforms with the word PACERS with a gold outline. On the road, they will wear blue uniforms with the word INDIANA also outlined in gold. “It’s the perfect transition period obviously without having Reggie (Miller) for the first time in the last two decades,” O’Neal said. “It kind of sets a tone for a new era.” The jerseys may also help increase O’Neal’s growing popularity. “I was in the top 10 of jersey sales last year so (the new uniforms) should drive my jersey sales way up this year,” he said with a smile.

What’s ahead for Roy Jones Jr.?

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Roy Jones Jr. walked to his corner, relieved to be standing. But where does his boxing future stand? The former champion in four weight classes failed in his bid to regain the IBO light heavyweight crown from Antonio Tarver on Saturday night, losing a unanimous 12-round decision that raised more questions about whether it’s time for him to retire. Jones said he’s not sure. “I’m a true champion,” he said. “Being the champion I am, I may come back.” In a post fight interview with ESPN’s Brian Kenny, Jones (49-4) said that he would like to fight again. He would welcome a fourth bout with Tarver or another duel with Glen Johnson. The loss was his second to Tarver in 16 months. He’s dropped three straight fights - two by knockouts - after winning 49 of his first 50 pro bouts. Tarver won his title with a stunning second-round knockout of Jones in May 2004 and nearly dropped him again in the 11th round Saturday night. The champion was unable to finish him off, and that enabled Jones to leave the ring with a sense of accomplishment. “It was hard to go out like I did after getting knocked out two times,” Jones said. “I’m satisfied with my performance.” The fight was Jones’ first since he was knocked out by Johnson in September 2004. To prepare for Tarver, he enlisted the help of his father and original trainer, Roy Jones Sr. The elder Jones did not shed much light on what the future might hold for his son, once generally regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. “He can do whatever he wants to do,” Roy Jones Sr. said. “Whatever he wants to do with his life, I can’t live it. I can’t be a man for him. And even if I could, I wouldn’t. So whatever he decides is fine with me.” But the father did feel Tarver faced a boxer better prepared than Jones was for his previous three fights, including a split-decision win over Tarver in November 2003. He felt his son showed he is still capable of performing well. “He doesn’t need to learn anything new. A lot of stuff he had forgotten because it had been such a long period of time since anybody pushed him,” the father said. “Butyou saw him. He didn’t look like a fighter who had been off a year. He didn’t look like a fighter who only had 4J4

weeks training in preparation for this fight. He didn’t look like a fighter who had been knocked out twice.” The former champion danced and played to the crowd of nearly21,000, at one point sticking out his tongue at Tarver before unleashing a flurry of punches.

But he didn’t do nearly enough to win the fight. The judges scored it 116112 on two cards and 117-111 on the other. Tarver threw and landed nearly twice as many punches, and Jones never really hurt the champion. Tarver, meanwhile, hopes beating Jones for the second

time will bring respect he feels is long overdue. “I’m one of the best fighters in the world, give me my credit,” the champion said. Jones did. “Tarver could give me a hard time in my best days as a light heavyweight,” Jones said.

Fore During the Indiana Pacers Foundation golf outing, rookie Danny Granger takes a swing as coach Rick Carlisle looks on. (Photo/W. Thomas)

Brewster stops Krasniqi in ninth round

HAMBURG, Germany (AP) — American Lamon Brewster stopped German challenger Luan Krasniqi in the ninth round of a bruising defense of the lightly regarded WBO heavyweight title last week. Brewster was struggling until he landed a hard left in the eighth round that sent Krasniqi to the canvas stiff-legged. Brewster, who is from Indianapolis, then landed a right that sent Krasniqi sprawling into the ropes with 12 seconds left in the ninth round. Brewster (33-2,29knock-outs) was staggered by lefts

from the taller Krasniqi (28-2-1,14 knockouts) from the opening minutes. He was behind on the cards in the third defense of his belt until two successive lefts turned the bout around. “It was just my willpower, my determination. I had to wait a long time,” Brewster said. Brewster also turned around the fight against Wladimir Klitschko, knocking out the Ukrainian in the fifth round to gain the WBO title in April last year. In May, he stopped Andrew Golota in under a minute.

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