Roy Jones, Jr. is a familiar name in the sports and music world. He is a boxing champion, a professional basketball player, a music producer, a performer and an actor.

But to the group of kids that awaited him at the Selma Youth Development Center Wednesday afternoon, he is a hero.

Jones came to Selma for a few hours Wednesday, courtsey of Sorepo Productions, and visited the National Voting Rights Museum and the center.

He is currently on a tour that took him through Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Florida, promoting his album &uot;Round One: The Album.&uot;

Even with his crowded schedule, he took time out to pay attention to one of the things that matters most – children.

And it showed during his visit to the center. His smile is bright and any stress from the tour melted away as he put his arms around the kids and hugged them.

Jones has also done other numerous activities to help children. He went on a cross-country tour with childhood hero Muhammad Ali to deliever positive messages about life to children.

Frank Hardy, founder and director of the center, knew Jones when he was no bigger than the kids he signed autographs for today.

When Jones made it big, he and Hardy talked about Jones coming to Selma to do a fundraising banquet for the center.

Jones’s father, Roy Jones Sr., is a professional boxer as well. He will be at the first &uot;Brawl in the Fall,&uot; which will be held Saturday at the Old National Guard Armory on Dallas Avenue.

Jones also enjoyed his visit to the National Voting Rights Museum, meeting the local music group Black Phoak and other fans while he was there.

Jones’s company, Body Head Entertainment, is based out of Pensacola, Fla. &uot;Round One&uot; is the first album they have produced. Jones, who will appear in &uot;Matrix 2&uot; next year, will go to work training for the basketball season and his next fight match when he gets home.