LOS ANGELES — Unlike recent press conferences featuring Fernando Vargas and Ricardo Mayorga, the gathering Friday to preview the bout between Felix Trinidad and Roy Jones Jr. was friendly, courteous and respectful.

"I don't have bad blood with nobody," said Jones, who came out first and addressed the media at a downtown hotel before Trinidad or either entourage appeared. "I am revved up for fighting Tito. How can you not get revved up?"

When Trinidad arrived, Jones invited him over for a hug and for a photographic pose. Then, it was the Trinidad camp's turn to gush about his opponent. In separate turns at the dais, Trinidad and his father, Felix Sr., called Jones a "great champion" through interpreters.

Yet, both have reasons for wanting this fight, to be staged Jan. 19 at Madison Square Garden in New York. It could have happened in 2001 during the Don King-backed Middleweight World Championship Series, but Jones moved up to the heavyweight division.

Things have changed since that time. Trinidad (42-2, 35 knockouts) fought just three more times - none since losing a decision to Winky Wright on May 14, 2005.

"I have been out of boxing for two years, but everybody knows I'm ... always in great shape," Trinidad said. "That's why I'm back in boxing. I know I can do it again, and on Jan. 19, people will know Tito is ready."

For Jones (51-4, 38 knockouts), it was getting his edge back. After becoming the first former middleweight champion to capture the heavyweight title since 1897 (he beat John Ruiz for the WBA crown in March 2003), he turned down a fight with Evander Holyfield to drop to 175 pounds and take the WBC light heavyweight title from Antonio Tarver some nine months later.

The rematch with Tarver, on May 15, 2004, resulted in Jones being knocked out in the 10th round. A third fight, on Oct. 1, 2005, ended with Jones losing a unanimous decision.

"After that, I didn't have that edge," Jones said. "Some days, you wake up and you got to go to work. Some guys, they look forward to doing what they do. Now I'm back being what I love to do. I got something."

The two agreed to meet at a maximum weight of 170 pounds.