FASTEST HANDS VINNY PAZIENZA: He had faster hands than most of the guys I fought. He wasn’t powerful because he came up from the lighter weights. He thought he was faster than me, but he wasn’t. Roy stated this in an article in the ring magazine, but did Roy face anyone that was faster than Pazienza?
Defer to the man himself as he was the one in the ring dealing with the punches. On Jones' record, Calzaghe and Hill were regarded as quick, but maybe not so much at the time Roy fought them. Griffin and Reggie Johnson were pretty quick but probably not regarded as speedsters.
Toney had fast hands, Hopkins had decent speed or he wouldn't have been able to be competitive at 50. Tarver had good handspeed. Reggie Johnson, Calzaghe obviously.
Griffin was more tricky and crafty than he was fast. I think Toney was faster with his hands but griffin was short yet had very long arms and he crouched, leaned back on his back foot awkwardly and waited for Jones to lead, forcing Jones(who didn't like to lead or use the jab much) to jump in and shoot punches down at griffin which he countered because all of Jones weight was now forward trying to reach the awkward griffin
These are some good points. And the reason why he was able to ko Griffin early the very next fight was because he did come out aggressive and lead.
I was actually referring to Griffin not being given any ‘Bests’ by Jones Jr. (Which I know was slightly off-topic and so I should have made my point clearer.) I’m going to give Jones/Griffin (I) another look. I understand the ‘downward punching’ being a part of that fight but, as for ‘jumping in’, I see this as a central feature of Jones Jr’s style, to be honest.
Yes absolutely against most opponents, yes but for some reason Montell awkwardness threw him off. He clearly didn't like having to take the lead against griffin and for some reason was quite inaccurate with his right hands for the first half of the fight while griffin countered him with stealing regularity. Jones obviously had far greater success when he just walked him down Winky Wright style and blasted him out in the rematch. Just One of those strange style match ups where one fighter I supposed to be much better on paper but struggles with him.
True, but that doesn’t change the fact that he created all manner of issues for Roy, first time around. Roy shares his love around in his ‘Best I’ve Faced...’ piece. Even Merqui Sosa gets a mention. I think I’m going to give these fights further study.
I think Pazienza was throwing, on average, less than 20 punches per round. Bit of a ridiculous fight, in reality.
I think Roy still feels bad about beating Vinny up that way, so he said that Paz had the fastest hands.
