If Roy Jones had retired after Ruiz, would he have been a top 10 ATG?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by klion22, Feb 21, 2009.


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  1. klion22

    klion22 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    That KD was the definition of a flash KD. RJ was never hurt. Del Valle just caught him off position and he fell down. And yeah, RJ had the reflexes and tools to avoid many shots but you don't go 50+ fights without being hit with hard, flush shots. The one time he was stunned was against Ruiz in round 1 or 2 with a flush right. But he recovered. If he had a glass jaw, he would've crumbled.
     
    klion22, Feb 22, 2009
    klion22, Feb 22, 2009
    #61
  2. thespecialone

    thespecialone Active Member Full Member

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    I dont think retiring then would make a difference, in 20 years time people will look back and say he was shot from Ruiz onwards. I also dont think his resume is deep enough to be ranked top ten.
     
    thespecialone, Feb 22, 2009
    thespecialone, Feb 22, 2009
    #62
  3. Rumsfeld

    Rumsfeld Moderator Staff Member

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    I can't believe how many people are saying YES!

    :lol:
     
    Rumsfeld, Feb 22, 2009
    Rumsfeld, Feb 22, 2009
    #63
  4. DINAMITA

    DINAMITA Guest

    No.

    For 10th place in my top 10, I always have to choose between Barney Ross, Benny Leonard and Willie Pep.

    Jones's resume is not in that league.

    Had he retired after Ruiz, I would still have him around 19th-ish, a bit behind Ray Leonard and Pernell Whitaker.
     
    DINAMITA, Feb 22, 2009
    DINAMITA, Feb 22, 2009
    #64
  5. klion22

    klion22 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I still think a lot of people would've seriously considered him near the top 10.

    Think about it. Him retiring after Ruiz wouldn't meant he never lost outside of his DQ against Griffin. I don't know how many of you know who Sandy Koufax is but he was a pitcher for the Dodgers back in the 50's and 60's. He was so dominant over a 5 year period but had to retire prematurely due to injuries but most people consider him one of the greatest pitchers of all time despite his short career. Or in football, a guy like Gale Sayers. Another dominant force at RB who had to retire early but most consider him one of the most electrifying offense talents ever.

    RJ retiring after Ruiz would've meant there is no bad memory of RJ. Only sheer dominance and brilliance. No KO losses to Johnson or Tarver. No outclassing at the hands of Calzaghe. His legend would've grown as time went on.
     
    klion22, Apr 3, 2009
    klion22, Apr 3, 2009
    #65
  6. The Italarican

    The Italarican Pretty Good Poster Full Member

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    Right when Roy moved up to 175, Toney faded into Bolivian buy losing to Griffin for the second time and then to Thazdi. From there, he moved to cruiserweight.

    It's honestly ridiculous when people look back and assume Roy should have given Toney a rematch. It was never called from by the press or public because following Roy's dominant victory, he and Toney were never in the same weight class, with the exception of that brief time where Toney was at the lowest point of his career.
     
    The Italarican, Apr 3, 2009
    The Italarican, Apr 3, 2009
    #66
  7. The Italarican

    The Italarican Pretty Good Poster Full Member

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    All in all, Roy simply didn't accomplish enough to merit anything near top 10 p4p. Part of that is his own fault, but I'm honestly not sure he would have solidified his case even if he'd fought everyone we were clamoring for in his prime. His shot at Top 10 would have been beating all those guys he didn't fight (Michal-however-you-spell-it, Eubank, Benn, etc.) and then either continued a successful reign at heavyweight or moved down and not lost a step while beating Tarver, Johnson, and Calzaghe (and perhaps another victory over Hopkins).

    That may sound like a lot, but Top 10 is a serious deal.
     
    The Italarican, Apr 3, 2009
    The Italarican, Apr 3, 2009
    #67
  8. Hatesrats

    Hatesrats "I'm NOT Suprised..." Full Member

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    no
     
    Hatesrats, Apr 3, 2009
    Hatesrats, Apr 3, 2009
    #68
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