Prime Roy Jones vs. Prime Joe Calzaghe @ 168

I am a calzaghe fan, but even I have to admit that at their best's RJJ, probably would have won, I would say by UD, I think Joe would have got like 4 rounds.

However, before people start banging on about how this fight should have happen when RJJ was at SMW, people have to remember that Joe was still no where to be seen really at this time.

 

RJJ by comfortable UD.

 

Jones would not take the fight, unless Calzaghe was much older and in decline, and the fight was in the USA with judges he and his promoter picked.

 

Roy at his prime was simply a genius in outworking his opponent and stealing the rounds, and avoiding any sort of damage from his opponents.
Calzaghe although an exceptional fighter, is not at Jones level. Having seen both of these fighters entire careers I believe that Calzaghe would steal 3 rounds, with 2 even and Jones winning 7 rounds. Jones by 117-113.

 

As much as Roy was very fast and extremely elusive, he has never been a ruthless finisher when up against the best. (Please see Hopkins and Toney fights). Roy is a safety first fighter, and he would be very happy to get a decision in this fight. Also you forget the fact that Calzaghe's chin is iron clad, and he is also elusive and an excellent ring tactician. This is a close fight for me, but speed skills and I think Roy was too fast both on his feet and with his hands for Calzaghe.

 

Gotta love the poll

Roy beats Calzaghe :good

 

coo´l pool..... ;-)

JC by decision...

 

bit lame the way the voting options have been done, clearly someone has a personal issue (maybe JC porked their other half and left the video of it in the player?). I still went for RJJ by UD though, too fast, too slick... quite simply superhuman in his short stay at 168lbs

 

edit

 

In Jones prime he very very rarely got hit or hurt and barely lost a round. Go back and watch the tapes, you need to educate yourself about how good Jones was. Not the fighter he was after Ruiz.

The fight on Nov 8th will tell us nothing about how this fight would have gone. This is because Roy is physically shot. He does not have the same foot speed and hand speed as before, and also he does not have the stamina to fight for a full round anymore. A pressure fighter like Calzaghe will just outwork him even though Calzaghe himself has now seen better days physically.

 

The title says Prime Roy Jones.

The Johnson fight is a very bad example to draw upon because not only was Roy not prime, Glen fights very differently to Joe.

 

Roy Jones Jr by landslide UD.

An excellent opponent at 168 like Joe Calzaghe would really bring the very best out of Roy Jones Jr. This would be an epic fight, but would develop into a masterclass of the very highest calibre by peak RJJ.

IMO, Roy Jones Jr's absolute peak was at 168 from 1994-1996. At this weight and at this time, I think he is the closest thing I have ever seen to an 'invincible' fighter (along with Duran at 135 in the late 70s, as I haven't seen footage of SRR at 147).

The RJJ who dominated James Toney in 1994 and went on to score a succession of devastating KOs 95-96 would match if not exceed Calzaghe's workrate and stamina, would have far superior punch power, better physical strength (Jones was a hulk at 168, a ball of muscle), better defence, and simply vastly superior speed and skills.

Calzaghe is strong, brave and well-conditioned, so I think he could make it to the bell and avoid being stopped, but I see Jones Jr dropping him a couple of times on the way to a 119-109 type scoreline.

Good thread.

 

You really have to watch some Prime Roy vs today Roy.

Pretty much apples and oranges mate.

 

:thumbsup

 

PACFAN has spoken..

Pretty much spot on, anyone saying Roy destroys Joe is severely underrating Calzaghe. But anyone who thinks this would be anything but a very clear Roy win are kidding themselves.