Is Roy Jones Jr. Hurting his Legacy by Continuing on?

Personally I think he should have retired after he beat Ruiz for the WBA Heavyweight title, but he kept going. Then after the first Tarver fight where it was blatantly obvious he was a shell of his former self he still continued on. I think that these new "fans" who just started watching boxing don't realize how great RJJ was. After he beat Ruiz everyone was saying RJJ was a P4P top 5, now you hear people criticizing his chin.

Thoughts?

 

He should of retired after the Calzaghe fight at the very latest. He finished on his feet, trying to win the fight, against one of the best P4P fighters in the world, on the premium Boxing Network.

If he'd retired after Ruiz, this forum would be full of Jones vs Robinson fantasy threads, and opinion would be divided and close to 50/50.

He is hurting his legacy but when the dust is settled people will look at a Prime RJJ. To be honest with you I've reached the point where I've stopped caring about his legacy and only care for the mans long term health.

 

Jones in just contuneing the grand tridition of all time greats fighting longer than they should. It is not the best personal move but it should not count against lagacy. This point is about Jones and all boxers who stick around longer than they should. It dose not take away from what they acomplished in their primes.
If you beleive that hanging around too long should have a negative effect on lagacy you have to explane why you have Ray Robinson as your #1 atg wgen he should have hung them up long before he did.

 

I was a Calzaghe fan, but it would of been pretty cool if RJJ would of stopped him. Was that for the lineal light heavyweight belt I forget, and don't feel like checking.

 

In my opinion I have RJJ as the number 1 ATG, then SRR, then SRL.

 

:huh Not sure about Lineal, (Jones lost to tarver who after a back and forth with Johnson, lost to Hopkins who lost to Calzaghe) Jones - Calzaghe was for the Ring championship officially rather than a sanctioning body belt.

 

Thats how I thought it went. I was thinking whether Hopkins had it. Because Hopkins went Tarver, Winky Wright, then Calzaghe, so I figured Calzaghe had it then beat RJJ. Now Hopkins has it again or so I think.

 

every one said erik morales was done blah blah blah an then he wins another title cuz he is a true elite fighter but my point is if he had lost that fight it would have done nothing to tarnish what he has already cemented an the same goes for roy although stylisticly polar oppisite nuthin now diminishes what he has accoplished in the ring

 

Ezzard Charles loses the tiniest bit of luster for fighting too long. So should Roy Jones. While losing late in a career doesn't change previous wins at all, they do affect the legacy. If they can help your legacy a lot if you win, than they should have some impact if you lose. That's why it's called "putting the legacy on the line." Just how much, to each his own.

Robinson would be even better if he had walked away after he won the Baillio rematch in 1958. He would have retired 141-6-2 rather than 173-19-6. He's the best either way, but I think it is tough to make the argument that the latter of those two options is actually better.

 

In a word, YES he is damaging his legacy. But more importantly his health. Seems to have little punch resistance nowadays.

 

The damage is already done, he's just putting himself at risk now.

 

no but he's hurting his brain cells.

 

You can't change what he was in his prime. Sure it never looks good when he keeps losing but everyone knows he's shot to pieces. This was a guy who was literally indefeated (Griffin Dq) until he got Koed at age 35. The guy was Superman in his prime and that's what people will remember.

 

maybe short term-people will say his legacy is ruined. but in time people will look back with greater perspective- and see his prime for what it was. this happens to every fighter practically. leonard, ali, robinson, they all had sad sack final fights where they were embarrassed- and people said their legacies were tarnished. but thats short term thinking- everybody loses in their latter years. but looking back people gain an appreciation. If he had retired after ruiz or the first tarver fight, he would have had a glowing legacy- but since his losses- since after the 2nd tarver fight - his legacy has only been diminished slightly since everybody knows he s welll washed up. its sad that he cant stop fighting - especially as its showing on his face and body- the years and the battles.

 

As time goes by, current boxing fans will only remember Jones a guy who gets ass beat by up and coming fighters and some tomato cans as well. Some fighters will get excited of fighting him cause he's a big name that's easy to beat and will easily enhance their profile and marketability. Roy Jones has now become a stepping stone for rising fighters and average fighters that needs a high profile win.

A year from now or a two, fighters with 13-6 type of records can also beat him as well. :hat