Roy Jones: the boxing genius

[rjj tszyu]

Well, Jones actually attempted to box quite well in the amateurs.
Although he was a standout amateur, he was not invincible, so famously beaten by McClellan.

Jones then turned pro. His speed, athleticism and power allowed him to destroy opposition.
Until he was opposed by fighters of good ability that could cope with his power.
In these situations Jones could not adjust, he didn't have skills per se.
He was easily cornered and not slick on defense in close as we can see against Tarver and Johnson.

I just imagine them the same size.

And skill beats natural ability.

You should only really judge fighters when in their prime. Do you think a younger Jones would have lost against those two?

Objectively, pound for pound, probably not, but we were never given any reason to believe he had left his prime, he had just won the heavyweight title we thought he was invincible, I'm sure none of us imagined he had left his prime when he boxed Johnson and Tarver the first times.

I always wondered how he would handle the massive weight loss to be honest. I think that he fought better LHWs than Johnson and Tarver in Virgil Hill, Eric Harding (pre RJJ), Derrick Harmon (again pre RJJ), Reggie Johnson and Montell Griffin before Jones ruined him in the rematch.

[donnydarkoIRL]

You should only really judge fighters when in their prime. Do you think a younger Jones would have lost against those two?

Objectively, pound for pound, probably not, but we were never given any reason to believe he had left his prime, he had just won the heavyweight title we thought he was invincible, I'm sure none of us imagined he had left his prime when he boxed Johnson and Tarver the first times.

I always wondered how he would handle the massive weight loss to be honest. I think that he fought better LHWs than Johnson and Tarver in Virgil Hill, Eric Harding (pre RJJ), Derrick Harmon (again pre RJJ), Reggie Johnson and Montell Griffin before Jones ruined him in the rematch.

I was certain he'd be fine, but that weight gain and subsequent loss destroyed his system.

The entire weights program going up to heavy didn't usit Roy and unfortuantely he paid the price for it.

If only Ruiz had been his last fight we'd never have to mourne these losses.

On the plus side, since his speed and power have faded he's working on his skill and he might yet become a very proficient textbook boxer.

[rjj tszyu]

Objectively, pound for pound, probably not, but we were never given any reason to believe he had left his prime, he had just won the heavyweight title we thought he was invincible, I'm sure none of us imagined he had left his prime when he boxed Johnson and Tarver the first times.

I always wondered how he would handle the massive weight loss to be honest. I think that he fought better LHWs than Johnson and Tarver in Virgil Hill, Eric Harding (pre RJJ), Derrick Harmon (again pre RJJ), Reggie Johnson and Montell Griffin before Jones ruined him in the rematch.

I was certain he'd be fine, but that weight gain and subsequent loss destroyed his system.

The entire weights program going up to heavy didn't usit Roy and unfortuantely he paid the price for it.

If only Ruiz had been his last fight we'd never have to mourne these losses.

On the plus side, since his speed and power have faded he's working on his skill and he might yet become a very proficient textbook boxer.

Yeah. he played with his weight too much throughout his career. its hard to believe he started at 154 when you see how heavy he looked before the Ruiz fight.