Quote Originally Posted by rjj tszyu View Post
Quote Originally Posted by hattonthehammer View Post
The most dominant boxer of the last 10-20 years seemed to almost go into his shell after meeting gerald and never quite recovered.

It was almost as if roy had a sudden realisation and had a fear of getting hurt.

Just off the back of rewatching that 3rd tarver fight and it was almost as if RJJ just didnt wanna fight anymore and had lost that desire to be champ.
I don't think he was worried about his own well being too much but he certainly doesn't go out to hurt people the way he used to. I think he's suffering in the same way chris eubank did after the 2nd Watson fight when he seriously hurt him. Eubank from that fight on would not go for the kill when he had a fighter hurt and it cost him in the end. Roy has admitted that he will not hurt anyone unless he has to anymore but at the same time I don't blame that for his defeats to Tarver and Johnson I think he just took too much on moving up to heavyweight and then shedding all that muscle again to make Light Heavy.

Boxers are programmed from an early age to not feel great compassion towards a fellow opponent when in the ring.

I really just do not buy the whole RJJ got sick of beating guys up theory as it has many flaws. Do you honestly believe RJJ went into that 3rd tarver fight not wanting to seriously hurt his opponent regardless of the fact both antonio and johnson had knocked him spark out in recent fights??

What RJJ did for gerald was great and all and im sure it meant a hell of a lot to mcclellan. But i honestly believe it changed RJJs outlook on boxing.