Jullian Jackson vs Roy Jones at middle weight

It is a myth that Jones went to the ropes only late in his career. He always did that, the difference being that in his prime he would counter and cause guys to back off him.

As mentioned, Sosa tried it, and so did Bryant Brannon, Thomas Tate, Vinny Paz smoke) and no doubt others I'm forgetting. The only one who had any success was Hopkins, who managed to win some rounds during the latter half of that fight. Of course, Roy was coasting by then.

I don't think Jones has any difficulties versus Jackson. He'd have to be cognizant of the right hand, but he'd catch JJ so hard and so cleanly, I think the fight would end relatively early.

Jones was too fast for Benn. McClellan posed the most dangerous matchup, because he had the reach and power on the end of his punches, so even the retreating Jones could be caught and hurt. G-Man also had the confidence to know he could beat Jones, even if it was only the amateurs. Even then, though, I think Gerald's leaky defense leads to a dominant decision win for Jones.

 

Stonehands you always have very logical well thought arguments for your fighters in fantasy matchups and stylistic analyses. But I wonder, what makes you underrat Jones so much in a h2h sense?

 

I think Jones stops him within 2 rounds.

 

Jones by wide decision.

I can't see him risking taking Jackson out of there, unless Julian is completely spent. Jones could crack at middleweight, so it's not impossible, but he was a safety first type and would be content with a points win.
Jackson could punch as hard as anyone who has ever laced up a glove at the weight, but he was a bit one-dimensional and Jones' speed and unorthodox style would frustrate him.

 

Jones mid rounds KO after dominating

 

I think I am guilty of underrating Jones a bit less than some others are guilty of overrating him.

Call me old-fashioned by I prefer substance over style. I like experience over flashy knockouts, the technician over the athlete, the tested over the untested, and the dominant guys with staying power over belt-chasers. Jones may or not always be situated in the latter categories in your mind, but in my mind he is.

My posts on Jones have become briefer only because I have been getting redundant about him. I have always held a high regard -even unbridled amazement- at his physical abilities, but have also disdained his unwillingness to consistently or even semi-consistently take risks. He fought Hopkins and Toney and that showed some promise... but then fought mailmen and Pazmanians for a decade before he rose up in weight to take on the dubious John Ruiz.

I don't think it is sheer coincidence that he fought Toney, his last live threat in November of 1994 and that was it. Benn-McClellan was February of 1995 and I think -actually, I know, that Jones had nightmares about facing a tragedy himself in the boxing ring after that. He stopped taking on guys who he feared and came close to admitting it a few times. The media was slow to wipe the stars out of their eyes but slowly starting to refer to him as "Reluctant Roy" and such. And now he laments his legacy -he wasted his prime on average guys, has-beens, and never-were's.

Part of that isn't his fault. There weren't many stompers in his divisions, but I just don't trust him and never have against guys with solid chins, a solid shot, and great skill. I happen to believe that 1991 McCallum would have beaten him, even at 34.

Anyway, his reluctance to test himself makes me question his heart. Or, if you like, his lack of opportunities force the conclusion of "untested by real adversity". Adversity is big on my list when it comes to H2H because you can bet that the all-time greats are bringing blood and thunder in that hypothetical ring! And when you talk about all-time greats, questioning their heart is tantamount to blasphemy. Jones going 15 rounds against Monzon or Robinson or Hagler may look dazzling on video games like "Fight Night" but real-life boxing is different. It begins in your head. Jones had great talent, but I think that he was haunted by the image of Gerald just as his prime came along. I think Jones had real fear and though that is expected in every fighter, Jones had the fear of a civilian... it wasn't that beneficial fear that greats have... it strikes me as the fear that "pops up in front of you"* when the guy in front of you is relentless, great, and can punch your lights out.

In sum, I just don't think that he was psychologically as strong as any of the "big three" and so can't favor him over 15 rounds against any of them.

Now guys like Benn, McClellan, and Jackson weren't at the level of SRR, Monzon, and Hagler, but they could punch like hell, and were aggressive and confident. Man-to-man, Jones is better than all of them, but I wouldn't bet on his chin holding up if a blast catches him.

Let me also say that I happen to favor Jones against the vast majority of MWs, SMW, and LHWs, and that includes many champions. Styles make fights and Jones had a difficult style to say the least.


* From a great Marciano article in a recent ESB thread.