Gainer stands on his own two feet without mentor Roy Jones Jr

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A stuffy gym was the second home of Derrick "Smoke" Gainer as a teenage boxer in Pensacola, Florida.

But as he sweated and slogged it out day in and day out, far removed from the famed beaches of the favored "spring break" town, Gainer had a hometown hero to look up to.

Roy Jones Jr, who many consider was "robbed" of gold at the 1988 Seoul Olympics due to a blatantly biased jury, went on to become one of the most outstanding names in the sport in the 1990s. He successfully moved between three weight classes and compiled a remarkable 48-3 win-loss record.

Gainer, born in 1972, is only three years younger than Jones, but he was inspired by his fellow Pensacolan's Olympic exploits to go for the big time.

"Roy Jones is my inspiration to box," said Gainer, who arrived in Jakarta last week for his April 22 bout against World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight champion Chris John.

Jones eventually became his manager and guided him to the WBA featherweight belt.

"Jones taught me a lot of boxing moves," Gainer said. "I enjoyed my period when Jones was my manager."

Gainer had started his professional career in 1990 in the flyweight division. He moved up to the featherweight class two years later and compiled a satisfactory if unremarkable record.

But the lanky southpaw's career took off when he hitched up with Jones in the late 1990s.

Pundits praised Jones' influence: in 1998, Boxing Times wrote "Jones Jr.'s best magic trick in the ring wasn't his destruction of Virgil Hill or laying the wood to Montell Griffin ... but the reawakening of Derrick "Smoke" Gainer's career."

He lost his first challenge for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior lightweight crown against holder Diego Corrales of the U.S. in March 2000, but wrested the WBA featherweight belt from Freddie Norwood in September of that year.

He successfully defended his title several times, eventually coming up short in November 2003 against IBF featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico. Marquez won by technical decision after the fighters butted heads and Gainer suffered a gash.

Today, Gainer is 32 years old, has parted company with mentor Jones and is battling to disprove those who say his best days are long behind him.

He was scheduled to fight Chris John last year but two scheduled bouts were canceled after disagreements over the open- air venue and purse.

Chris John's trainer Craig Christian has dismissed Gainer as an aging fighter who would have to keep on the run to avoid the Indonesia's punches.

Coming in with a record of 39 wins, six losses and one draw, Gainer will now have his chance to show that he is not quite over the hill.

He must also demonstrate that he can stand on his own two feet, without the familiar figure of Jones at his side.

Gainer declared that he was still motivated to take back the title.

"Boxing is my life. It has been my way out of poverty and to find glory," he said simply.