Why was did Roy Jones Jr. decline dramatically after the Tarver rematch fight?

He was in the best shape possible for the Tarver rematch, but from everything I’ve read throughout the years, he wasn’t in shape for the Johnson fight. From what I’ve read, he was embarrassed by the Tarver defeat and he just wanted to fight ASAP to eradicate the loss. He was then knocked cold by a punch to the head that didn’t look particularly hard, and the fight doctor said that he was completely dehydrated.

 

Of course.

Roy was less confident and his opponents were more confident.

That was huge to the outcome of the fights.

Two completely different mindsets, with different strategies.

If that version of Johnson had fought Roy before he fought Ruiz, he more than likely wouldn’t have pressured Roy as much. It would have probably have played out very differently.

 

Every possible excuse but Tarver knocking his head off.

 

Tarver landed a perfect shot. Nobody can deny that. But his opinion is that the damage had already been done beforehand. And that opinion is shared by others, including a highly respected sports scientist, who tried to talk Roy out of going back down in weight due to the dangers that it presented.

 

It's an opinion shared by fanboys.

 

Right.Roy was gunshy against Johnson too

 

No. It’s an opinion shared by a well respected sports scientist and strategist of over 30 years, as well as by other knowledgeable fans who have also seen the same thing happen to a number of other fighters too.

 

He look shell shocked to me.

He should never have taken another fight so soon. And especially not against a world class fighter who was so tough.

 

Mostly fanboys,

 

Johnson was thought to be a walkover at the time

 

Yes, Johnson was considered a limited journeyman. That he indeed was.

 

Yeah.

Apparently, Roy didn’t train for the fight. He just went through the motions.

IMHO, if Tarver hadn’t have knocked him out, he’d never have fought again so soon. I think he was really embarrassed by the knockout and he just wanted a quick, easy win before taking a break and gathering his thoughts.

 

Training had nothing with it though.Just a matter of deterioating reflexes and movement due to age.

 

He should have retired after the Ruiz win, coming back to Light Heavy played havoc with his punch resistance.

 

I think it was as much psychological as it was physical.