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IBO cruiserweight champ Danny Green’s gamble to face former multi-weight world champion Roy Jones paid off big at Sydney’s Acer Stadium as the Perth based icon KO’d the visiting American in the very first round.
Although clearly well past his best at age 40, Jones had been competitive during a loss to Joe Calzaghe a year ago and still had enough skills left to stop Omar Sheika and Jeff Lacy in subsequent bouts.
Jones was considered the favorite going into the clash but was stepping up above the light heavy division for the first time since winning the WBA heavyweight title in 2003.
Green, himself 36 years of age, had campaigned at cruiser since returning in April from a year and a half hiatus, winning the IBO title in August but had still never been five pounds above the light heavy limit during that time.
The combatants each weighted 179 pounds for tonight’s bout and the early part of the first round was a classic feeling out period with jabs from each and a right hand to the body from Green.
The first time Jones went to the ropes, the big punching Green pounced and slammed home a hard right behind the ear that Jones was floored by as he never saw it coming.
The visitor beat the count but was clearly wobbled upon regaining his feet. Green went to work immediately, letting go with both hands and a few good punches got in amid the majority that Jones blocked.
Jones managed to get to the center of the ring but was soon against the ropes again with Green strafing the legend with everything he had, particularly uppercuts that had Jones looking shaky, prompting a referee stoppage at 2:02 of the first round.
Green retains the IBO cruiser belt for the first time and racks up the biggest victory of his career, improving to 28-3 (25).
Jones sees a two bout win streak evaporate, likely along with a rumored rematch with Bernard Hopkins, and his record now stands at 54-6 (40).
On the undercard, veteran Chad Bennett, who spent his entire career at welter and light middle, lost an IBO Asia Pacific light welter title clash to southpaw prospect Steven Wills, 13-0-2 (7), via fourth round stoppage.
Hammer fisted local lightweight Will Tomlinson, 10-0-1 (10), got the biggest win of his career, knocking out American veteran Verquan Kimbrough, 21-3-3 (7), in the third.
