Roy Jones - Discussion And What If's

Jones obviously had a ridiculous amount of talent, but like you say he wasted the majority of it.
While I rate his ability and think he would give a lot of other ATG's around his weight a nightmare, I think his resume is extremely lacking.

 

He could have done so much more, but people rag on modern day greats for who they don't fight and ignore who Sugar Ray Robinson and many old time greats didn't face. Robinson didn't go anywhere near the murderers row who had many of the top fighters of his time, yet it doesn't affect his standing, Armstrong didnt face many top blk fighters of his time, no questions of him either.

Its worth noting on his rise to prominence not too many champs wanted to give RJJ a shot, Eubanks for 1 wasn't keen on the fight

 

Yes he probably was dodged quite a bit (and with reason), but that doesn't change the fact he didn't fight a lot of the top fighters of his time.

 

Considering I rank him as a top 20 ATG or so, I think it's entirely possible. The guy in his prime was something else. If you can't be hit, and have speed and power and athleticism like that, there's nothing to stop you being a top 15 ATG. I just think he made some poor career decisions at times.

Absolutely. Remarkable considering his whole career was pretty much built around his handspeed and reflexes. You'd think that for a fighter like that, he wouldn't still be around at 40 being able to beat most guys in his division. Just shows his athleticism, and his talent that he could go from 160 to heavyweight and be a success.

If Jones could of made 154 comfortable, or Norris would of gone up to 160 or like you say maybe a catchweight - something like 158 - then I'd agree it would be a short nights work for Jones. I rate Norris, but there's no way he could handle Jones' combination of speed and power, he might of finished the job in the 1st round if he pounced on him straight away.

I agree. Hill was a very good fighter at LHW, and Jones dispatched of him comfortably in the end. I would of certainly added depth to his resume at light-heavy, given that he might of held all 4 belts at the same time AND been the Ring & Linear champion aswell. I think even though Michalczewski was a very good fighter, Jones would of been able to cope with his aggressive style. I take Jones by UD.

I absolutely agree. Even if he got knocked out, people would command him for moving up to heavyweight and staying there, the fact he's started at 160 and was probably nothing more than a natural 168, yet moved up to take on the biggest guys in boxing. Instead, like you said, his reputation has been tarnished with Tarver and Johnson defeats. This is what I was talking about earlier when I mentioned 'poor career choices'. I think he should of stayed at heavy, or certainly not have put on 18lbs of solid muscle and then should it off to go back to 175 just 8 months later and take on a big puncher like Antonio Tarver.

All possible yes, and it his resume and accomplishments would look outstanding had he stayed at heavyweight and notched up a winning run, rather than gone up and then come back down again and taste 2 knock defeats.

 

SRR was the RJJ of his day, is he not top10 P4P too?

Robinson didnt face Charles Burley (best other WW-MW of his time), Holman Williams (1 of the best LW-MW of his time), Cocoa Kid, Ezzard Charles, Archie Moore (they actually discussed this after Moore was LHW champ but pulled out), Lloyd Marshall, Booker, Wade, Chase, Cerdan (who died but they could have got it on before that).

 

Ray Robinsons CV is still head and shoulders above Jones'.

 

COulda woulda shoulda.

Every fighter can say the same thing. Roy jones is a great with or without Michelzeski, Benn or Byrd.

Who he didnt beat doesnt take away from who he beat and how easy he made it all look. Id put him in the top 15 anyway.

 

Top 15? Don't be so ****ing simple.

 

Stick him in ya misreble sod!:tong

 

Don't get me wrong, Jones was a fantastic talent. I just don't think he showed us anywhere near what he could've been.

 

Hopkins and Toney are arguably better than anyone Ray beat for a start

 

atsch

 

Maybe, but Gavilan Fulmer Lamotta 5 times and Turpin alone top Jones' best wins.

 

No. But thanks for playing.