Dirrell's comparison to a young Roy jones

[Fenster]

They have very similar speed and athletic ability, but Roy JOnes had so much more composure in the ring, and I think thats because he stepped up the competition a lot earlier in his career. The biggest problem I have with all these prospects coming up is that they don't get their defining fight until their in the second half of their twenties.

Look how young Leonard fought for the title against Benitez, How young Floyd was when he beat G. Hernandez or even Corales. Or ROy Jones Jr when he fought James Toney, that was when he was like 24-25, and he already was dominating one of the best fighters in the world. I think James Toney would win this tournament, and that Roy wouldn't have too many problems with any of these guys except maybe Ward because he sort of reminds me of Montell Griffin stylewise.

I also guarantee Roy would have complained about what Froch did as well, Froch was being a cheap bastard in there and that was the only time he was effective was when he was hitting DIrrell illegally(well he did land a few jabs 2 big punches, but that was it).

In terms of power I think Dirrell has a lot of power, its just he doesn't sit down on his punches the way he should. He is too nervous and doesn't always get the leverage to go along with his body's follow through. That being said I still think Roy was one of the hardest punches to ever grace 160/168, and I think that gave him huge advantages because he was able to earn respect from his opponents very quickly. One other thing I notice is that Dirrell doesn't counter like Roy, Roy Jones would counter right as the other guy was punching, and he would make them feel like if they ever threw punches they would get hit hard, Dirrell has the speed, but he doesn't make opponents pay the way they should for throwing punches.

Roy wouldn't have needed to complain Froch would have been sparked out inside 6 minutes.

Nah - he would've lasted longer than Clinton imo

25 year-old supermiddle Roy?

Taylor had Froch over in the third round. Roy would have surely destroyed someone as slow and open as Froch. Quick.

[blegit]

I think people are blending two things. Separate overall skill and athleticism. If you do that you will see that Dirrell is very similar athletically to RJJ. Look at Dirrell's speed, ability to dodge punches, and and agility. A young RJJ was a much better fighter because he had one punch knockout power, willingness to trade, heart of a champion, better timing, and utmost confidence. Probably even a few more things that I didn't mention also but athletically Dirrell is a phenom. He just doesn't know it yet. Even Allan Green, who never credits anyone but himself, was saying that Dirrell's talent is the best he just doesn't know how to use it.

[blegit]

And of course a 25 year old RJJ would walk through this tournament. Anybody in this tournament.

[Taeth]

Roy Jones is so good, and I think he definitely wins a competition like this one, but he doesn't walk through it, I think a tall, fast, skilled guy like Kessler gives him problems, so does Ward and so would DIrrell for sure.

Often, and people forget, that Roy would back off in fights as they went along, if he hurt Froch, but couldn't close the show quickly, he would back off, and Froch delt with Dirrell's speed very well considering how blisteringly fast Dirrell is, and don't get it twisted, Dirrell has really good accuracy as well, its just Froch is an awkward guy to hit until you get comfortable with him, and I think his mental ability to fight is a little bit faster than his physical speed which throws guys off.

I am going to say this though, Dirrell isn't just physical talent. THe ability to slip punches to counter well, and to throw combinations like he does comes from many hours in the gym and a lot of practice. He throws punches very well, he goes to the body very well, but I think he jumped too far a little too quickly. Had the fight been in the states he would have won and Froch wouldn't have been able to fight that way. That being said Roy was way further into his career by the time he was 25, he beat a lot of contenders before he fought Hopkins, and after that fight a lot of people had questions about how good Jones was, but he was really able to show his skills once he learned to calm down and trust his physical abilities more.

[Spicoli]

Roy would toy with Dirrell badly.Jones had sharp shot fight changing type power off the backfoot w/ all angles.His offense matched his early defense,dont see that in Dirrell.Roy closed quarters on a Castro,Tate,Malinga & Hopkins....HOPKINS lol.I dont see it at all...I think Dirrell should enjoy this moment in comparison because thats as close as he'll realize.

[rjj tszyu]

They have very similar speed and athletic ability, but Roy JOnes had so much more composure in the ring, and I think thats because he stepped up the competition a lot earlier in his career. The biggest problem I have with all these prospects coming up is that they don't get their defining fight until their in the second half of their twenties.

Look how young Leonard fought for the title against Benitez, How young Floyd was when he beat G. Hernandez or even Corales. Or ROy Jones Jr when he fought James Toney, that was when he was like 24-25, and he already was dominating one of the best fighters in the world. I think James Toney would win this tournament, and that Roy wouldn't have too many problems with any of these guys except maybe Ward because he sort of reminds me of Montell Griffin stylewise.

I also guarantee Roy would have complained about what Froch did as well, Froch was being a cheap bastard in there and that was the only time he was effective was when he was hitting DIrrell illegally(well he did land a few jabs 2 big punches, but that was it).

In terms of power I think Dirrell has a lot of power, its just he doesn't sit down on his punches the way he should. He is too nervous and doesn't always get the leverage to go along with his body's follow through. That being said I still think Roy was one of the hardest punches to ever grace 160/168, and I think that gave him huge advantages because he was able to earn respect from his opponents very quickly. One other thing I notice is that Dirrell doesn't counter like Roy, Roy Jones would counter right as the other guy was punching, and he would make them feel like if they ever threw punches they would get hit hard, Dirrell has the speed, but he doesn't make opponents pay the way they should for throwing punches.

I've thought that from what I've seen of Ward actually, he does have that look of Griffin but look what Roy did to him in the second fight because he was focused. He hurt him badly every time he hit him. I'd give my right arm to see that Roy back, especially if he fights Hopkins again.

[rjj tszyu]

Roy Jones is so good, and I think he definitely wins a competition like this one, but he doesn't walk through it, I think a tall, fast, skilled guy like Kessler gives him problems, so does Ward and so would DIrrell for sure.

Often, and people forget, that Roy would back off in fights as they went along, if he hurt Froch, but couldn't close the show quickly, he would back off, and Froch delt with Dirrell's speed very well considering how blisteringly fast Dirrell is, and don't get it twisted, Dirrell has really good accuracy as well, its just Froch is an awkward guy to hit until you get comfortable with him, and I think his mental ability to fight is a little bit faster than his physical speed which throws guys off.

I am going to say this though, Dirrell isn't just physical talent. THe ability to slip punches to counter well, and to throw combinations like he does comes from many hours in the gym and a lot of practice. He throws punches very well, he goes to the body very well, but I think he jumped too far a little too quickly. Had the fight been in the states he would have won and Froch wouldn't have been able to fight that way. That being said Roy was way further into his career by the time he was 25, he beat a lot of contenders before he fought Hopkins, and after that fight a lot of people had questions about how good Jones was, but he was really able to show his skills once he learned to calm down and trust his physical abilities more.

Hard to say really. Roy could have a lot more KO's on his record but he used to toy with his opponents. In a tournament like this where you get extra points for a KO we could see the Roy that fought Griffin second time round in every fight in which case i'd back him to KO pretty much everyone in it early with the exception of maybe Abraham and Kessler, but his speed and skill would be so much more clear that I think both would be stopped late on.