He went from top p4p to mediocre almost overnight. very unusual. Did he just lose his interest in boxing?
Roys athleticism was what was responsible for his greatness. Once that left him all he had was boxing fundamentals left and there were way too many holes in his game. From the lack of defense to the bad footwork. The deficiencies are just too numerous...
Tarver took his confidence away. Tarver beat Roy after he came off the Ruiz victory. First fight, maybe he was drained, second one, nope. Tarver had his number. After that , it was all downhill. He lost his invincibility aura, and when you fight like Roy, you hesitate for a second and you're in trouble.
Roy was a very skillful and naturally gifted fighter and he created an effective style that utilised his phenomenal athleticism making him nearly untouchable at his peak. But when he lost a step which happens to anyone at 35 that style of his became a liability and he was never able to adapt like some fighters do when they physically decline. Jones Jr for all his experience and fights was rarely tested and often fought within himself and that left him ill prepared to overcome opponents when things didn't go his way.
He may have been playing with the magic sauce, but the bomb Tarver laid on his face didn't help. And then a second in a row by Johnson
Jones wasn't mentally the same when Tarver cracked him. not that he was mentally strong beforehand or anything. but yeah, his confidence took a major hit.
Roy had a great style, he ambushed everybody that faught a conventional style, then Tarver watched tape, figured out exactly what he was doing and stopped him.