Jones vs Charles would be a fascinating match up at middle weight, supper middle weight, light heavyweight, cruiser weight or heavyweight. I do think Roy Jones has better skills. Hes faster, hits harder, and had no problem outclassing two excellent middles and light heavies who should ranks as pound for pound talents in their decade in James Toney and Bernard Hopkins. Charles was by far the grittier fighter, and had the style of a brawler. Jones did not like to brawl toe to toe, which is why this fight is interesting. While Charles wasnt a big puncher, he was certainly a solid hitter at light heavy. Critics might say Jones had questionable durability, but in truth so did Charles. Both guys suffered one punch KO losses. The difference to me is Charles could be out boxed by men near his size. Jones was never really out boxed by anyone his size. My best fantasy guess would be Jones wins the decision.
Charles would probably win via late stoppage or decision he is a lot more proven at this weight and he never had trouble with speed which is Roy's biggest attribute. Jones would have a better chance against Moore then Charles.
You don't think the theory that Charles would find it difficult to establish any kind of rythym v Jones holds any real water?
Charles fought just as fast and elusive fighters as Jones and never had problems while Jones never fought anyone who was on Charles level only a weight drained Toney. I'm not trying to make Jones sound worse but Charles beat Burley who was quicker and a great defensive fighter he even knocked him down same goes with Walcott. Charles knocked him down for a 9 count. I think Charles would be able to find Jones more then any of his other opponents, Ezzard proved he could take on the best no matter what type of fighter they were. I don't believe Jones did this.
I agree that Charles would be the best that Jones ever fought, and I agree that Charles is better/to be ranked above/better h2h than Jones, but I feel here we have the very best of a type that Charles would struggle with. Obviously even peak versions of the weight's dominant fighter would lose to this one or that one - I think this guy might be Charles' that one.
Roy had the potential to beat about anyone at the weight, but in reality, he went into safety-first mode too much at LHW, and with much lower quality of opposition than Charles. Charles would be the busier guy in there, and I suspect Jones' reliance on reflexes and not on fundamentals could cost him. I think Charles would figure out quickly that fencing with Jones is a bad idea and the victory won't be in playing chess; it will be getting there more often and in closer proximity, because he's not going to get there first, at least consistently. I could see a decision or knockout either way.