Could anyone in the history of boxing ever beat a prime Roy Jones Jr.?

they fought twice, and Malinga beat him when he was on the slide, and Benn won the 1st fight.

 

I can't see Evander beating RJ. Evander reportedly ducked RJ when he was a heavyweight, there's no reason to think he would have fought RJ as a LH.

 

Yeah, but RJJ in his prime is at least twice the boxer that Thulani is, so Benn would have to be considered a massive underdog against RJ.

Michael Spinks was a good fighter but I think the difference in speed and RJ's unorthodox movements would be the key to RJ winning by decision.

 

in terms of unorthodox, spinks has that as well (though maybe not as much as roy. his speed was respectable, his power greater than roys and he was versatile as all hell. TOUGH fight for him based on styles

 

I would agree, but Benn would have had a punchers chance, no question.

I remember Benn being the underdog against McClellan and both fighters left that ring with scars, still Benn came out on top, sure as hell would have got my backing against Jones, who I must add was also one of my favourites.

 

I'd make him a favourite over anybody in the 175 division history.

However, I wouldn't be the least surprised if he lost to Moore, Foster or Spinks.

Probably others.

 

He does have a very fast jab, and good jabbers give RJ trouble. However, The way he dips his shoulder before he jabs would be too telegraphic for someone as fast as RJ.

No doubt however, it would not be an easy fight for Roy given Spinks's height and reach but Roy's speed would be too hard to time IMO. I see it as a mongoose against a cobra. RJ's in and out movement with his quickness would be too much for Spinks.

 

True, that was a hellacious rumble and Benn proved that if you want a rumble, he will give it to you in spades.

But it should be noted that RJ is a boxer first and fighter second. McClellan came out guns blazing and RJ would never do that against a fighter of Benn's reputation and caliber.

 

good analysis:good nice to see such a solid post

 

:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl That feather fisted fairy was dropped by a shot Roy and couldnt even finish him off. Tarver and Johnson stopped a younger Roy but Calzaghe couldnt.

 

i honestly believe no objective fan would ever pick calzaghe prime for prime against jones. if you're a calzaghe fan, that's cool. but if you're unbiased (which i'm not mind you) you can't possibly justify that decision

 

seriously, maybe the Hopkins who fought Tarver...

 

all the skills but with that workrate, he'd be playing right into roy's hands. throwing one punch at a time is exactly what jones would want and he would beat hopkins to the point every time

 

Thanks man. :smoke

 

anytime dude, you don't see such honest and insightful thoughts about fighters often on the forum.