BOISE — Roy Jones Jr. was discussing whom he may like to fight next — if boxing's money men "make it worth my while," that is.
But in another moment late Saturday night, Jones sounded like a content 37-year-old, now a six-time champion in four different weight classes. Like a man who is finally satisfied with being able to exit on his terms.
Does that mean retirement for the man widely known throughout the 1990s as the world's best pound-for-pound fighter?
"I don't have a clue . . . I'm not leaning any way," Jones said after regaining some of his reputation Saturday — at least the showman part. He pranced and preened to a methodical, 12-round unanimous decision over frustrated former champion Prince Badi Ajamu to win the NABO light heavyweight championship.
Jones won the final 11 rounds on all three judges' scorecards. Each scored Jones' first win in 32 months 119-106.
"I wanted to go out my way," Jones (50-4) said. "If I wanted to, I could go out right now.
"It took a lot (nine weeks) for me to get ready for this fight . . . I'm going to have to go home and think about it."
The NABO belt is lightly regarded. But after three straight defeats — two by knockout — a 10-month hiatus and his first win since Nov. 8, 2003, when he beat Antonio Tarver for the WBC and IBO light heavyweight titles, Jones was glad to take it.
He did so by withstanding the 34-year-old Ajamu's wild, flailing charges at him immediately after the opening bell. Ajamu's reckless barrage continued through the opening 90 seconds, with Ajamu (25-3-1) chasing Jones across the ring.
Jones held his gloves over his ears and deflected much of that. The fight then settled into Jones working repeated body punches and Ajamu defending more — with Jones smiling at his opponent and the estimated 2,500 fans inside half-empty Qwest Arena.
Jones' showmanship didn't stop there. He exaggerated holding his arms up and disdainfully turned his shoulders away from his opponent while coming out of the many clenches the tired Ajamu forced. He pranced around the ring after breaks. And "Oooohh!" was Jones' audible reaction to landing a right-hand body shot late in the fifth round.
He also stuck out his tongue and smiled after a few of the rounds to a particularly vocal section of his supporters seated immediately behind his corner.
"Everywhere I go, I've got to have a show," said Jones, who flew rap recording artist Rick Ross into Idaho to lead him and his 15-man entourage into the arena before the fight.
"Wherever Roy Jones comes, there's going to be a show."
With the exhilaration of finally winning again and looking pretty doing it, Jones talked of whom he wanted next.
Jones said he'd might like to face undisputed world super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe of Wales or Bernard Hopkins next, "but Bernard said he doesn't want to fight anymore."
But a half-hour later, in a post-fight press conference, Jones was less sure of embarking on a 55th career fight.
"It all depends if they make it worth my while," Jones said, referring to promoters, television outlets and their money.
"When I get home on Monday, my phone will be ringing. Someone will say they want to fight me. I'm going to lay them all out on the table. Whichever looks best, I'll take."
Ajamu (25-3-1), who lost for the first time in seven bouts, said he couldn't breathe through his nose during the fight. He also said he had stomach cramps.
"I will fight again. I will make some adjustments, I'm very optimistic about that," said the 34-year-old Camden, N.J., native.
"That's not the last you are going to see of Prince, no."