The Neutral Corner

A mini controversy was brewing at Madison Square Garden when the main event fighters -- Roy Jones Jr. and Felix Trinidad -- couldn't agree on what gloves would be used inside the ring. According to a news release sent to the media, promoter Don King mediated the dispute this afternoon.

“The glove issue has been solved,” said King. “I met with Roy Jones Jr.’s representatives and Papa Trinidad and his lawyer Nicolas Medina in Roy’s suite across the street from the Garden. We came to an agreement that Superman Roy Jones Jr. will wear Everlast gloves, just as it agreed in the contract.”

Jones said he would have preferred to wear Grant gloves.

“I wanted to wear the gloves to represent my fraternity, Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE), the largest fraternity in the world,” said Jones. “I want to knock Tito Trinidad out for the Heartland of America. I wanted to wear my [Grant] gloves because they were made to match my outfit—the colors of TKE—burgundy and gray. Because I know that all of the TKE’s across the land will be watching me tonight. I tried to do good for the TKE, but Tito’s father was obstinate and Tito wouldn’t even talk to me. Tito wouldn’t even give me the courtesy of a conversation. He sent his daddy and his daddy’s lawyer up to my suite to talk to me."

Everlast has been outfitting fighters in championship fights since 1922. Grant is a relatively new company, modeling itself after the Mexican equipment manufacturer, Reyes. Grant gloves are considered "punchers" gloves. -- CASSIDY