Where Do You Rate Roy Jones Jr In The All Time Rankings At Light-Heavyweight

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by sugarsean, Aug 30, 2009.

  1. sugarsean

    sugarsean Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Where do you think Roy Jones Jr should be ranked in the list of all time greats at light-heavyweight.

    I think Roy Jones Jr is difficult to rate at lightheavy because he was so dominate at the weight at his peak yet at the same time the division was pretty weak during his time and there was no truely great fighter at his weight to test him and prove his greatness against.

    I think Hd 2 Hd he rates very high, but its the questions that were left unanswered during his peak years that makes it so hard to know where he rates, and how truely great he was at his peak.

    so where do you rate Roy Jones Jr in the all time great light-heavyweights in history.

    remember only his performance's at light-heavyweight count
     
  2. MrMarvel

    MrMarvel Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I rank him very highly. Top five probably.
     
  3. Thread Stealer

    Thread Stealer Loyal Member Full Member

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    They had a poll on LHW rankings earlier. He got ranked #11.

    1. 971 Ezzard Charles (30)
    2. 652 Archie Moore (4)
    3. 557 Gene Tunney (8 )
    4. 452 Sam Langford (4)
    5. 328 Michael Spinks (1)
    6. 288 Bob Foster
    7. 181 Harry Greb
    8. 148 Billy Conn
    9. 140 Tommy Loughran
    10. 81 Bob Fitzsimmons
    11. 79 Roy Jones Jr
    12. 50 Harold Johnson
    13. 15 Jimmy Slattery
    14. 10 Saad Muhammad
    15. 7 Victor Galindez
    16. 6 Jack Dillon
    17. 5 Jack O'Brian
    17. 5 John Henry Lewis
    19. 4 Eddie Mustafa Muhammad
    19. 4 Dwight Qawi
    21. 3 Jimmy Bivins
    21. 3 Tommy Gibbons
    21. 3 Maxie Rosenbloom
    24. 1 Donny Lalonde
    24. 1 George Carpentier
    24. 1 Henry Maske

    http://www.eastsideboxing.com/forum/showthread.php?t=156260
     
  4. sugarsean

    sugarsean Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I'd like to hear more people's opinions on this
     
  5. Addie

    Addie Myung Woo Yuh! Full Member

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    He gets by on his consistency there for most part, because there wasn't any great fighters in the division during his reign. Antonio Tarver doesn't even constitute as a great fighter, not in my judgment. Top 10, that's about it.

    A guy like Michael Spinks who had to deal with a really tough, experienced, and competitive division and passed with flying colours is infinitely more impressive than Jones at LHW.
     
  6. sugarsean

    sugarsean Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Yeah I'd have Spinks ahead of him aswell (at 3) he's got one of the greatest resume's ever at lightheavy.
     
  7. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

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    Top 2 on ability he would dominate most of the top10
     
  8. sugarsean

    sugarsean Boxing Addict Full Member

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    who would you favour to beat him, also this question is to everyone else that make a post
     
  9. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Not so sure about dominate, especially matched with "most". I wouldn't doubt he'd potentially embarrass some based on styles and skillsets.
     
  10. Addie

    Addie Myung Woo Yuh! Full Member

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    Michael Spinks. The last thing Jones needs is a 6'3 skilled boxer puncher throwing awkward combination's at him from all angles. Spinks was too good not to land his right hand at some point in the fight, and I envision nothing but a knockout when it happens. Jones never really proved he could take a good solid shot, and perhaps only Foster hit harder at Light Heavyweight than Spinks. Jones relies on his reflexes and timing, but Spinks was awfully hard to anticipate.
     
  11. sugarsean

    sugarsean Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Yeah the overhand right is the shot that Jones is open to thats why I would also favour Archie Moore he would be waiting to let that shot go and would now how to time it , Moore was a master in the ring
     
  12. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Spinks and Eddie Futch are beating Jones, i'd wager big money on it. Futch had a MUCH MUCH lesser fighting going effectively with great tactics against Jones and Spinks is 7 levels better.

    His awkwardness and effective unpredictability would be a telling factor vs Jones incredible reflexes and anticipation. His 4 inch height and 2 inch reach advantage and ability to use it would also be telling long term. His power at 175 is immense. His defense at 175 is vastly underrated. His chin is superb. When needed to he can jab extremely effectively.

    There's just nothing there to penetrate for Roy imo. He'd be awkward, win rounds, have times of brilliance but he just wouldn't get it done overall IMO.
     
  13. My2Sense

    My2Sense Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    He reigned in a fairly weak division and either lost or failed to make the fights that were most crucial to his legacy there - ie: Dariusz, Tarver, Calzaghe, Rocchigiani. Moreover, he had several very embarrassing losses and some very glaring weaknesses that were exposed. I can't see him being rated among the ATGs at the weight.
     
  14. Sweet Pea

    Sweet Pea Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    I don't take his past prime losses too seriously, as he'd noticably dropped off by that point. However, I just don't think he proved enough that he had the capabilities of dealing with a great LHW technician or puncher. He was better at 160 and especially 168. I'd say the poll we did is close enough, #11 is a decent enough placing. Not a top 10 guy in my book, just too many great fighters and too little proved for Roy at this weight.
     
  15. WhataRock

    WhataRock Loyal Member Full Member

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    I wouldnt have him any higher then 9 or 10...I actually had him there briefly when I was putting up a list for Rummys poll but he got pushed out..Id say he would be 11 or 12 now on my list.

    Definitely top 10 H2H...especially in the cleaner 12 round era he fought in. But his resume doesnt stand up to some of the greats there.

    Spinks beats him.