Roy Jones is underrated

No, it would indeed be Robby and Tommy "Never previously KO'd" Bell, who was the next highest rated WW at that time.

The Ring's rankings for the end of '46:
Sugar Ray Robinson, Champion
1. Tommy Bell
2. Tippy Larkin
3. Beau Jack
4. Tony Janiro
5. Johnny Greco
6. Tony Pellone
7. Jimmy Doyle
8. Jackie Wilson
9. Willie Joyce
10. Charley Fusari

The NBA's rankings at that same time:
Champion: Ray Robinson
1. Tommy Bell
2. Tippy Larkin
3. Charles Fusari
4. Beau Jack
5. Tony Janiro
6. Bernard Docusen
7. Tony Pellone

"The winner of the clash between Robinson and Bell will earn universal recognition as titleholder, for the National Boxing Association, as well as the New York board, regards the bout as for the world title."
-NY Times, October 5, 1946

.

 

I saw this on the actual broadcast of the Harding/Tarver fight but here is an article that supports it.

Hiding behind his HBO contract- which basically allowed him to run rampant in picking up millions of dollars at a time- Jones would fight one undeserving mandatory stiff after another.
But when Tarver had elevated himself to the IBF mandatory position in 2000, he had his promoter at the time Murad Muhammad write a letter questioning his attributes as the number one contender. Eventually, the IBF- which has had an incestuous relationship with Muhammad- acquiesced and forced Tarver into a box-off with Harding for the right to face Jones. Harding would beat Tarver in June of 2000( a loss though, that would be avenged a few years later) and Jones was free from having to face Tarver, until he agreed to face him this past Saturday.

 

Murads wife was president of the IBF after Lee went down the tubes I believe. Look at Tarvers record, he was always a big mouth, calling out Jones, but in reality he hadnt faced anyone to merit a Jones fight. All he had to do was beat Harding, and he lost. It probably wasnt right for Jones to dictate anything but in reality Tarver had not proven anything up to that point besides beating Rocky Gannon and Ernest M16 Mateen. Tarver showed up as his lazy self in the Harding fight and got beat, proving Jones point at the time that Tarver wasnt ready to fight for the title.

 

Well its like i said, it depends on your interpretation as to why Roy did it, whether he was reluctant to fight Tarver because he knew Tarver could fight despite his resume or because he actually wanted to get more props FTW if they did eventually fight.

I think its irrelevant whether Harding! was capable of beating Tarver he should of got his shot at Roy! at the end of day. Tarver was as deserving as Brannon and the other stiffs which he did not see fit to question.

 

No I think it was a power thing, just like the whole Hopkins thing, 60-40 I kick yo ass. Jones was an arrogant mofo. Bryant "BB" Brannon was a super middleweight. Jones fought plenty of quality LH fighters in between and around his soft touches.

 

I disagree.

Reggie Johnson was past it, Del Valle was probably a C class fighter as was Otis Grant,Frazier & Telsco,Hall might of been D class fighters.

I think Roy having fought Tarver in the amateurs knew Tarver was a good fighter, good enough to cause him trouble anyway.

 

Eh hem, who held the WBA and IBF title when Jones fought Johnson and Del Valle? Telesco was solid and Hall was a very tall and dangerous puncher who gave DM all hell.
After Jones faced who he had faced, you really think he was nervous about 17-0 big mouth Tarver?

 

And you actually buy that as impartial journalism

 

Ive seen just above Euro level fighters grab an ABC strap, Del Valle was a C class fighter B- at best.

Telesco,Frazier and Hall were D class fighters.

Yes. Jones knew Tarver had the talent to cause him trouble regardless of experience.

 

You know very little about the times and the fighters in those times. Tarver fought Harding, he got his jaw broke and beat. So then Jones fought Harding. What's the problem and what are you trying to prove? Harding was the better man, he deserved the shot over Tarver. They practically fought for their title shot that night, Tarver took the L. It would've been gay for Jones to give Tarver a fight before the man who whooped his ass. Telesco and Hall weren't D class fighters, especially not Hall. You are ridiculous.

 

So than Michalzewski should be right down with them on that D class level.
Telesco and Hall were not D class fighters, former tough man contestant Rocky Gannon was, Tarvers best comp up until that point.
Either way what does that have to do with Jones and Tarver? Jones should have fought Tarver who had proved nothing, instead of unifying all three titles? That doesnt make sense.

 

That guy has some screwed up logic.

 

Not his best opponents but under the spotlight:

Reggie Johnson held the IBF title, 2 weight champ, arguably beat Toney, was so past it he'd arguably beat Tarver after this fight

DelValle held the WBA title

Grant was a good MW titlist at the time

Telesco - Rochiagani didnt sign for the fight, Telesco was another big name claiming to be ducked and looked good beating top10 gatekeeper types

In fairness Tarver may have been a tough fight, I think Jones would have shut him out then, but he wouldnt get anymore credit than he would have done beating telesco because tarver was actually less proven than telesco then. Then you'd be posting saying how Tarver was a D Class fighter on his resume

 

Well i assume Hall lost? well why would he be anything other when that is apparently all you can HL in his career to prove he was anything other.

Telesco and Hall were not D class fighters? okay

I dont see the point in taking this foward as ive spoken to you before and your an apologist. I dont expect to get any commonsense from a guy that rates Telesco and Hall as solid or respectable wins or should i say not D class fighters.

You believe what you want to believe.

 

Hall got his ass kicked by Gannon.