Question for all- If Roy Jones Jr kept all his skills and attributes but was a legitimate Heavyweight would he be the closest thing to Muhammad Ali?
If he had his skills including his power for a heavweight? He'd be a different kettle of fish, to me. This might actually be closer to what he'd be, when talking about how his attributes might scale up but even maybe more so in style, despite the three being stylistically pretty peculiar.
That is the problem with these comparisons. Too many unknowns. But, regardless of any criticisms that have come about in the last 10-15 years, I believe he was one of the best to ever lace them up. I have been watching/studying boxing for over 45 years. He was one of the best I have ever seen live. Floyd Mayweather was not even close. No comparison
Assuming he didn’t compromise a single thing then he might well have been the greatest heavy that ever lived. Now in reality we know it likely wouldn’t work that way but If it did……. Boy oh boy..
I agree about him being one of the best that ever lived and I said that about him over twenty years ago. Sure there are others who have accomplished more ( statistically ) but in terms of raw talent and looking great in the ring, there are few to almost none who matched him in his prime
As far as H2H goes vs Patterson, I’d take Floyd at LHW or catch weight of say 180 lbs - 185 lbs and above. I lso envisage the end coming for Roy by way of chilling knock out. Floyd himself was an amazing P4P’er - and among the bigger boys, Floyd’s chin would stand up as being a lot more sturdy than that of Jones’. Sure, Floyd got bounced a bit but he always got back up to win for the most part. Suffice to say, just one lightning strike from Ingemar on the whiskers would be an instant ending to Roy’s night. Good night Sweet Prince....
The biggest reason he couldn't be Ali was his size. I agree with the poster saying he is more similar to Floyd Patterson if he fought in a later era. In earlier eras RJJ would be a HW in later eras Patterson would be a LHW or CW. Certain commentary on Usyk has given people this laughable notion that Ali and Foreman sized HWs are tiny.
If RJJ was a super heavy with the same speed and skills and power, I'd pick him to stop Lewis. Imagine a 6'4 230 something pound heavy with the same speed, skill and power as prime RJJ.
Had RJJ fought in the 1960s, he likely would have competed at heavyweight, seeing he was 180-185 pounds in the ring come fight night. So, RJJ could have possibly been an Ali opponent from 1964-67. RJJ definitely would have been a top HW contender back then.
Yes he would have been. Anything great he he'd take with him to Heavy, would be lost with his fragile chin. He wouldn't remain unbeaten long imo.
