Had the speed and skill to catch up with the likes of Charles (who was better then Roy and I love RJJ so it’s not a knock) Moore Matthews Lastarza and other highly skilled fast fighters. Some of which were more skilled then Roy just not as athletic (who is really?). At that weight who did Roy ever beat that would even last a few rounds w Marciano? Roy was great but his one knock is the same as Marciano. He didn’t beat that many great people. They both have a few good names Roy even less so then Marciano, Not their fault they beat everyone in front of them at their peaks.
Some things that help Roy is hes not a heavy jabber and Rocky was great at drawing the jab countering and making his way in, but Roy also had a bad habit of backing up all the way to the ropes and counter someone swinging to his head ,rocky would come in low and if Roy is fighting off the ropes against Rocky ,then Roy is gonna die !
This isn't a fair match up for Roy. He may embarrass Rocky for a fair number of rounds and make no bones about it, he's by far the faster, more creative fighter and heavy handed enough to where Rock likely has to readjust, not being able to just walk through him without worrying somewhat about Roy's speed and power. The main issue here is that Rocky trained down to get below 190 lbs and hits hard enough and at such high volume that I don't see how Roy can keep him off him for 15. He doesn't have the power to knock him out for me and he doesn't have the size to manhandle him like I would think a Liston, Foreman or Lennox might up close. Rocky is happy to hit forearms, chest, shoulders, hips and whatever else his gloves may touch to wear his man down. There is nothing that Roy has shown me in his career to suggest that when he gets hurt badly, he has the guts, the tendency to fight back successfully and the willpower combined with durability to outlast and out alpha someone that will bring what the likes of the Rock brings to the table. I struggle to see the natural 168 - 175 lb fighter that drowns Rocky. Some will say that he can be outboxed and I don't disagree but I note that Moore, Walcott, Charles and Louis, although not at their very best versions, whether age or condition, were excellent boxers - Marciano made them all miss and pay.
Ezzard Charles was around 32-33 when he fought rocky. Roy Jones was 33 when in the one and only showing he ever had at heavyweight. He then declined sharply after that fight. Ezzard was much more proven at heavyweight than was Jones