Kingpin of the 90s: Artistry of Roy Jones Jr
On January 16, 1969, Roy Jones Jr. was brought into the world. His father, Roy Jones Sr., was also a professional boxer, (12-8-1 4 KOs). He wasn’t exactly the icon his son would later become thirty years later, but he was still a product of the sport and wanted his son to follow in his footsteps. Then at the time, young Roy wasn’t exactly all that thrilled to be the best pound 4 pound fighter of the world, yet.
He dreaded coming home from school to his home in Pensacola, FL some days. Big Roy would be so eager for him to get into his training routine after school. By the time Roy would get home, a ring would be set up in the backyard with big Roy awaiting his son to drop his books and box. The experience wasn’t as ‘fulfilling,’ so to speak. Big Roy was quite often hard on his son, with the idea that this would prepare him for later. Every time Roy jr. made a mistake in the ring, he’d make him pay for it. When big Roy thought he was doing what any loving father would do, little Roy begin to grow resentment at his father’s abusive nature.
After his pro debut and first few professional fights, little Roy’s resentment and prerogative begin to take form. With Roy Sr. officially in his corner, covering the many roles that a father-son boxing relationship would embrace, Big Roy begin to guard his son away from begging television networks. It was as if he felt his son was never quite ready to make the jump to the next plateau. Little Roy became often discouraged at this, and decided that he and Big Roy should split and go there separate ways..
No one stood a chance at defeating Roy Jones Jr. He dominated his opponents like it was as easy as a video game. His talent was too impressive to not judge and too tempting to not watch. On May 22, 1993, Roy Jones Jr. met with future middleweight great, Bernard Hopkins then (22-1) for the vacant IBF title. It was a good fight, and the crafty Hopkins proved to give Jones a new share of problems he’d never before seen. However, at the end of the night, Bernard was no match for Jones Jr. Roy would throw crisp combinations and leap out of the way of a frustrated Hopkins. He catered to that fight style all night, capturing a Unanimous decision and the IBF title. Without a doubt, Roy Jones Jr. was considered to be one of the most dominant fighters of this era. Fighters who dared to face him risked not only their health but pride and ego; Roy Jones Jr. was a miraculous fighter, but also the best showman in the business. His reflexes were so terrific, that he could do amazing tricks with his skill that were never seen! He was the best showman the sport had ever seen. A few more fights later, he had enough fun torturing middleweights at 160lbs, and decided to move up 8lbs north and face
James ‘Lights Out’ Toney then, (44-0) for his IBF title.
Even with the added 8lbs on his specimen, at supper middleweight (168lbs), Roy Jones’ skill didn’t diminish. For him, it was another opportunity to show the world his reign, ring skill and polished ability by defeating another future hall of famer. For James Toney, it meant beating a top-notch fighter who many considered the ‘fighter of the decade.’ Toney himself, a native of Ann Arbor, Michigan was acquitted with the hype of being one of the best fighters of the 1990s era. That made for explosive propaganda, and this fight made every bit of sense in the world. On November 18th 1994, Roy Jones Jr. challenged James Toney for his 168lb IBF championship. Determined to make James pay for his naughty threats during the promotion, Jones thoroughly embarrassed Toney for 12 rounds straight. In the 3rd, Toney would suffer the 2nd knockdown of his career when Jones mocked him and put him down with a lethal leaping left hook shot. Toney hit the mat as the crowd roared in laughter of Jones showmanship. At the end of night, Toney was no doubt, miles away from Jones’ ability and lost his IBF world championship. For three years, Jones dominated the super middleweight division. He defeated 5 more straight, all by knockout, and decided that he was done toying with super middleweights of 168lbs. He made another move, 7lbs north into the land of Light Heavyweights.
When Roy Jones Jr. disposed of Mike McCallum (49-3) at light heavyweight, it was apparent his skill was still on the same level playing field it was at 160lbs. His toughest fight still remained to be his clash with Bernard back in 1993. Neither fighter had yet to really challenge Roy, even at his new weight class. Montell Griffin, also then undefeated, (26-0) was considered to be a slick light heavyweight who would give Jones a pound of trouble when they met on March 21, 1997. In a close matchup, Roy Jones had lost his WBC championship after being disqualified for hitting Griffin after a knockdown in the 9th round. Griffin was on one knee awaiting the count of the referee when Jones whipped a left hook to his chin and knock him into the ropes. Referee Tony Perez was infuriated and disqualified Roy Jones for the illegal punch. Roy had suffered his first ever career defeat, but impressively never lost his reputation.
On August 7, 1997 at 2:32 seconds of the 1st round, Roy Jones Jr had defeated Montell Griffin and regained his WBC Light heavyweight championship. Griffin was no match for the game Jones as he had lost the rematch hands down in a flash of 2 Ã?½ minutes. Roy Jones was back and with a vengeance. Along the way of his 175lb legacy, Jones took out the likes of several impressive fighters in: Virgil Hill, Lou Del Valle, Otis Grant, Reggie Johnson, Eric Harding, Julio Gonzales, Glen Kelly, Clinton Woods. Neither of these fighters presented much threat with the exception of Lou Del Valle who dropped Roy for the first time in his career on their July 18, 1998 showdown. By late 2002, Roy Jones had defeated 47 fighters, 38 by knockout and with only one X on his record; his disqualification lost to Montell Griffin. He was once again, ‘without toys to play with.’ He had broken up all of his G.I. Joe men, so to speak, leaving behind an impressive legacy in the Light heavyweight division that hasn’t been accomplished in many years. Throughout his 12 straight title defenses, he did however forget one of those G.I. Joe man, Antonio ‘Magic Man’ Tarver. Tarver hesitated to speak a word just yet, he waited patiently as Jones continued to capture his glory.
With Roy Jones Jr, once again without competition he made another jump, this time into the land of heavyweight fighters. It was 18lbs a lot more than he was used to, bulking up to his career highest at 193. On March 1st, 2003, Roy Jones Jr challenged John Ruiz for his WBA heavyweight championship. For many fight fans and spectators, the move for Jones was considered, ‘one to many.’ Many spectators, including the writer of this article himself, figured this spelled the end for the reign of Jones Jr. John Ruiz would simply be too big and would hand Roy his first official defeat, but it wasn’t to be.
In impressive fashion, he had once again accomplished an incredible feat. At age 34 years old, Roy Jones had captured yet another world championship by defeating John Ruiz in a lop sided showcasing of talent. He once again appeared too fast and too slick for the mauling approach of Ruiz. At the end of the night he was now a new heavyweight champion and briefly thought of as the best fighter ever!
The immediate talk of the town, was the idea of heavyweight fighters Jones Jr was suitable to face. He was a brilliant showman, however still quite tiny against the likes of a giant in Lennox Lewis or Vitali Klitschko. He was thought of as too small to handle someone as ferocious as ‘Iron’ Mike or a David Tua. With less than normal, ‘safe’ options in the clearing, Roy Jones Jr. made another move this time back South to 175lbs to face a brash and loud mouthed Antonio ‘Magic Man’ Tarver. Roy always loved a challenge, and he agreed to the fight.
Jones nearly drenched himself by exercising and sweating off the extra 18lbs of muscle tissue he needed for John Ruiz. It was an experience that many felt help contribute into putting Jones past his prime. And on November 8, 2003, it was evident.
The dominating figure that Roy Jones was considered to be was no longer. At many points in his career he seemed impossible to beat, invulnerable, impervious to defeat or an upsetting punch. On November 8th, the world was turned around. It was still a good victory for Jones, he managed to squeak by with a controversial unanimous decision. It took all Roy Jones Jr had to hang on to his legacy by defeating Antonio Tarver. Once again, a good victory, but not convincing enough in the public eye. The fight called for a rematch to prove who was really the better man.
On May 15th 2004, Roy Jones Jr met a 2nd time with Antonio Tarver at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. The two fighters were both determined to show who the better fighter was on that night. Both fighters had trained thoroughly hard the weeks leading up to the fight. On the night of May 15th at the center of the ring, Referee Jay Nady gave his instructions and asked both corners if they had any questions regarding the fight rules. Roy Jones didn’t seem to have one, but Antonio did. “I got a question, you got any excuses tonight Roy?” The arena blew up, they roared in anticipation of what was to come. In the 1st, Roy showed signs of his brilliance by thoroughly smacking Tarver around with his faster hands. Jones ate jabs along the way, but it was considered his round for his consistent attack. By the 2nd round, Jones apparently seemed very hesitant to continue his forward attack and looked to counter-punch his way through the round. Before fans knew it, in a flash of lighting, Roy Jones and Tarver had exchanged punches and Tarver got the better. “DOWN GOES JONES ON A HARD LEFT HAND,” screamed HBO commentator Jim Lampley. Roy had been knocked down for the 2nd time in his career. He struggled to gain composure on his feet, and it was enough for Referee Jay Nady to end the bout at 1:41 of the 2nd round. Roy Jones Jr was handed his first official defeat. He had been knocked out in the 2nd round.
The fight world was in a state of shock as they watched their hero get stopped.
The knockout victory did Tarver justice, as he finally begun appearing on television ads, video games, talk shows and more exposure that he seeked. For Jones, many considered the end of a legend, wiping their hands of his 12-year reign. Many doubted his career, legacy and craft after the night of May 15th when he was knocked out. And once again, Roy Jones set out to prove to the world that he was still the best pound 4 pound fighter. Just 4 months after his 2nd round KO loss to Antonio Tarver, Roy Jones had signed to meet another milestone in Glen Johnson for the IBF 175lb light heavyweight title.
Glen Johnson deceived fight fans and spectators. The world knew how spectacular Roy Jones Jr was, and they never gave Johnson a chance. Johnson then, (40-9-2) was considered a mere stepping-stone for Roy to catapult himself back into
the public eye. Johnson a tough fighter originally from Jamaica, had never seen the bright lights and sunny days as his opponent in Roy Jones. He often fought on under cards for small figures and would work fulltime as a construction worker to help supplement his income. When the opportunity came for him to meet Roy Jones Jr and escape the hard labor of construction, Johnson agreed. The two fighters would meet on September 25, 2004 at the Fed Ex Forum in Memphis, Tennessee.
Johnson shocked the world, attacking Roy from the opening bell until finally knocking him out for good in the 9th round. “I am not the best, but I am just willing to fight the best,” was his famous quote he told Larry Merchant afterwards as Roy Jones Jr appeared to be seriously hurt; lying on the canvas, eyes closed and barely moving.
For the second time in a row, Roy Jones Jr had tasted defeated and by knockout. The fight world couldn’t believe it! Roy had been pushed further into the ground by the public and boxing world and was officially considered, ‘shot.’
Perhaps it was in his best interest to take a short break and step away from the ring a little while. Fight fans were privileged to see him ringside giving expert commentating assignments doing HBO and Pay Per View broadcasting. After watching the likes of young fighters such as ‘Pretty Boy’ Floyd Mayweather, Jermaine Taylor, Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton and Winky Wright, Roy was once again drawn to reduce his time off and return to the ring. The ring appeal of these young superstars was enough to influence him to come back. And he did just that, signing for what was to be a 3rd and final confrontation with his Knockout conqueror, Antonio Tarver.
On October 1st, 2005, Roy Jones Jr and Antonio Tarver met one last time. After May 15th, Tarver had fought Glen Johnson on December 18th, 2004, losing by 12 round defeat. His rematch against Johnson on June 18th 2005 was a one sided display of heart, courage and determination. When these two fighters lined up for instructions, Tarver, highly confident of his abilities had nothing no questions for Jones Jr. Instead, he simply dominated Jones for most of the might by attacking him whenever the opportunity came present. Jones seemed reluctant to throw punches during the contest, instead more concerned with staying on his feet instead of gaining the victory. His refusal to engage against Tarver for the sake of avoiding a knockout harmed his reputation, and stunned is image. At the end of the night, Antonio Tarver had ended their trilogy with a 12th round Unanimous decision win over Roy Jones Jr. It wasn’t exactly a knockout, but the 3rd defeat in a row for Roy. During his interview, he remained gracious after his defeat and didn’t make any excuses for his lost to Tarver. Although it wasn’t visual, many could tell by the interview that it harmed Roy Jones’ pride and ego to be defeated by Tarver for a 2nd time in the row. Jones briefly continued to his commentators spot on HBO fight nights, but soon was gone without a trace. Apparently Roy Jones’ refusal to show up to production meetings was a problem, and he was released from his duties. Since then, not many have heard from Jones or no much about his current plans.
It’ll take everything Roy’s got as this stage in his career to pull himself up to the top again. At age 37, with 49 wins 4 defeats and 38 knockouts, Roy Jones Jr isn’t exactly the talk of the town as he used to be. His consecutive defeats have jeopardized his reputation, and the television networks who once begged for his fights are no longer interested in televising him. Roy Jones Jr, has proud as he is, hasn’t quite yet given up hope yet. On July 29th, 2006, Roy Jones Jr (49-4 38 KOs) will face Prince Badi Ajamu (25-2-1) in untelevised event. For Jones, it’s a do or die situation which could elevate him into the limelight just once more. For Ajamu, it’s the chance of a lifetime to be labeled as accomplishing an incredible feat; defeating Roy Jones Jr And possibly becoming a kingpin.
