Since we're discussing Robinson lately...could RJJ defeat Ray at middleweight? Both have to weigh in on the day of the fight at no more than 160 to make it more fair. (Since Roy was probably closer to 170 come fight time and Ray scaled barely over the jnr. middleweight limit.)
I've always thought Roy would be well matched by Robinson, even at 160. SRR has the speed, skill, timing, stamina and endurance to check his chin many many times over the course of a championship fight and i believe this is one he can win by KO. By comparison i often pick Jones over both Hagler and Monzon and am definitely a fan. A very unique talent.
Jones had the ability to go close ,or beat any 160 pounder ,but I have a gut feeling that SRR would get to him late,just a hunch.
Like JT, I believe Roy could do it. I was giving this one a good mulling over yesterday and I can't see any reason why he can't. He had wicked power at 160, maybe the fastest hands ever at the weight and a certain 'unhittableness' that only caught up with him as he got older. Certainly, not as good a technical boxer as Robinson, but it was that mix of power, unorthodox style and speed - especially the speed - that was so hard to beat at 160. He was knocked out cold twice fair enough, but only when his speed deteriorated, and that was at 175. Heck, he was barely caught cleanly at 160. Great as SRR was, he would have one hell of a fight on his hands here, imo.
Yes, he certainly has a shot. but still i go for robinson. yet if robinson underestimates him like he did turpin the first time around..........roy gets him.
SSR would land vs Roy and win by KO but a top form Roy could run and box to pull out an upset but a prime SSR was a more solid fighter
A very intriguing match-up. At MW, if anyone had a chance to beat a peak Robinson it must be a prime RJJ and if anyone has a chance to beat a peak Jones it must be a prime Sugar Ray. Who do I think would have won? I think it would be Robinson. On second thought, it would be Jones. No wait, it would be Robinson. Well, ...... maybe Jones. All I know for sure is that it would have been a GREAT fight.
I wouldn't bet a penny on this fight. I think Roy could. I think Ray could. It would be a SD in my opinion with a lot of questions and a lot of close rounds.
Close fight, could go either way. Simple answer to the question is "yes". Robinson wasn't his best at MW.
Wouldn't be much of an upset. Roy is the bigger, faster, arguably more powerful fighter. At 160 it's pretty close due to Robinson's experience and Roy's relative lack thereof, but I'd favor Roy slightly anyway. Ray is capable of winning there, though. Anything above, Roy wins handily.
I agree with this post but still think robinson gets to him late. Jones has no chance at stopping him, and i think over the course of the fight robinson could land several big punches, and quite possibly stop him late.