Roy would no doubt be schooling Tua but it's only a matter of time before David lands and it's goodnight.
A much lighter and the skilled boxer can outbox a shorter and less skilled opponent who punches hard and takes a good shot, but he will need some durability to win a decision. See Chris Byrd who defeated Tua. Roy Jones will likely be in the lead until he's hit and takes the count. No way he could take the body or head shot.
There is one fact that might be overlooked. Sure, WE know Jones was chinny, but David wouldn't have known that in this hypothetical fight. Ìt's possible (but not likely) that if Roy can box a masterclass for 4 or 5 rounds that Tua gets discouraged and gets tired of eating counters and Roy coasts to an easy decision. If Tua has our knowledge of Roy's chin, then he willingly eats shots all night knowing he only has to land one good one.
This is my line of reasoning, thought I dont mind admitting at I am glad that my hypothesis will not be put to the test.
I don't think people realise just how much psychology plays a part in the outcome of a fight. If we knew Tua would have jumped on him from the opening bell showing him zero respect, then you'd have to have picked Tua without a doubt. But if Roy could have intimidated him with his speed and gotten his respect early with a big shot, then I agree with you, that we don't know how he'd have reacted. Before Tarver and Johnson, Roy was still classed as a phenom by many. So it's not beyond the realms of possibility that Roy couldn't have made him hesitant and pulled of a decision win. We just don't know what Tua's mindset would have been and what kind of shape he'd have been in. I think a more dangerous match up for Roy would have been against Corrie Sanders.
Yep those first 95 seconds Roy will school Tua then Tua lands his first punch and it's goodnight.... I am getting a kind of deja vu on this thread.
Sooner or later Tua catches him and sends his bloodied head sailing into the front row. But prior to that RJJ would have looked fantastic.