Oh if it goes to the cards RJJ wins no doubt! Totally different levels. I do think Rocky might be able to capture lightning in a bottle and pull off a Castro vs John David Jackson type of lucky punch....but outside of that I don’t see him winning a round. Now the Rockistadors will get all bent out of shape.
Rocky found lots of lucky punches on lots of great light heavies. He wins if it is 15 rounds imo. Roy never fought a pressure fighter that skilled and powerful before. All comes down to the circumstances agreed to on ring size. I think it would be a great fight most likely, with a possible schooling or KO as an outside chance. You have to slightly favor Rocky who KOed an entire generation of similarly sized greats.
Philly. Shouldn't this be in the "Marciano Is A Bum" thread? I mean Rocky would be lucky to last 7 with Artur Grigeran much less Roy JONES or Vinny Paz. He was a bum. ALL smoke and mirrors.
Jones at 168 would have been a tough ask for anybody in history - and that includes the likes of Greb and Charles. In the history of the super middleweight division, he's the best I've seen and the way he beat Toney was outstanding... But aside from that, I wish he had had one more significant bout at the weight, either against Benn, Eubank or McCellan. The rest of the guys he beat were at least a notch below them (e.g. Merqui Sosa) and while he dominated them, he wasn't really testing himself against the best guys he could have fought. His fight with Vinny Pazienza also came at the weight and was a frankly diabolical mismatch that should never have been made. If you're looking for evidence that Jones didn't always seek out the toughest opposition, the evidence probably starts here.
I agree with you 9/10 times as a rule Philly. This is that 10th time I don’t. I think Jones would put a one sided whipping on Chris. Jones’s mobility, huge edge in hand speed and punches from every angle would totally befuddle Chris in my view. Eubanks cast iron chin sees him last to the bell but I’d almost bet the house on Roy pitching a shut out against him. I always thought Eubanks peaked at 160 whereas his form at 168 was inconsistent and his opposition average. That could have a bit to do with the Watson tragedy but he never looked in Roy’s league at super middleweight to me.
I fundamentally agree with this but I think it would have been good to see Roy try. After beating Toney, a fight against Eubank or Benn or any of the other titlists in the division would have been preferable to facing the likes of Vinny Pazienza.
Benn had stated he didn't want RJJ after his war with McClellan. And Eubank was in line but lost to Steve Collins.
Absolutely. Even the Thornton and Byrd fights left a fair bit to be desired despite Jones looking spectacular in both. If he’d unified at 168 before going up to Lt Heavy then his legacy would be a lot less debated. Talent wise I think RJJ was streets ahead of Eubanks, Benn, Liles and Collins and I’d back him to beat all of them. But thats easy to say but the fact is it didn’t happen . Now I’m not sure how much that is just on Jones either as the British blokes didn’t seem all that keen on travelling to the US themselves, instead facing off against each other numerous times at home.
There's also a video out there where Benn and Eubank are in studio and answering questions with James Toney in another studio in the States. All 3 are arguing via satellite and Eubank seemed a bit shaken up when Toney made remarks about Eubank's family.
I would favor a 46-47 Charles. If i wanted to throw a roughie in i would be looking at a guy like Lloyd Marshall. Strong, powerful and somewhat unorthodox like Jones. He has that blazing leaping left hook 4 or 5 decades before Jones utilized it so well.
Not as underrated as Steele Seriously though, I think LaMotta troubles Jones. He doesn't win, but that jab and toughness would be a hell of a problem.
I actually reckon Andre Ward would be very tough. He’s a master at taking fighters off their game and imposing his awkward style upon them. He also defensively savvy, athletically gifted (though not to Jones’s level) and knows how to win dull and ugly. Then again Ward didn’t face a blend of speed, power and elusiveness like Jones either. It makes for an interesting clash.
That’s cool...you are allowed to be wrong 1 out of 10 times lol! The important thing is we agree that Jones outclasses and humiliates Rocky!