Roy Jones Jnr

[DJ Pat]

Roy Jones Jr. may have stepped in to the ring for the last time, the end of a stellar career. Being KO’d by rugged journeyman Glencoffe Johnson will most likely be the end of the line for Jones, who by his own admission has lost interest in the sport in the growing years.

Several factors probably played a part in the loss. Certainly, had this been even 3 years ago, Jones would have destroyed the likes of Johnson. Who is a very likable chap, but whom nobody would place in their top 10 pound for pound ratings. Yet Johnson, wisely, rushed right at Roy and pinned him on the ropes, very similarly to the strategy that Antonio Tarver applied to Jones Jr. on November 8th, 2003. One noticeable difference however, after the second round, Johnson began taking a step back and throwing his punches in a much straighter fashion, thus increasing his accuracy and the effectiveness of his blows. Roy’s trainer probably summed it up best, after the fight, when he stated that he’s noticed that with age “Roy gets hit a lot more now”, “he gets hit with shots he didn’t used to when he was younger”, and that, probably more than anything else was the reason for the conclusions of his last two fights.

Other factors that may have affected the fight are mostly moot now, since it is doubtful that Roy will ever be able to bring in the size of crowds necessary to pay him the type of money he has demanded over the years. Still, without offering an excuse, it would be negligible not to include mention of the intangibles. Aside from his age, Jones also had the affable feat of overcoming a destructive, quick knockout at the hands of Tarver, the only nemesis of his career. It’s one thing to be knocked out by an opponent and have to launch a comeback, but to be KO’d by an opponent that has so openly, verbally lambasted you as “a coward “, that ducks quality opposition…understandably would make for a monumental task to overcome. Did Tarver ruin Jones Jr.? It’s possible. Psychologically, it had to be devastating to have someone like Tarver come along at the end of Roy’s career, calling him out and being able to back up the charge. Roy’s not used to being treated like a punk. He’s played the role of exposing the fakes and making good fighters look ordinary.

Last week, Roy Jones Jr. was unable to make the HBO telecast of Hopkins vs. DeLaHoya fight, because one of his ranches/homes was ruined by Hurricane Ivan. It destroyed property and indirectly caused the death of his fighting birds. Before the fight, Roy never offered the devastation as an excuse; he simply showed up to fight. Could this have had an effect on his psychological state of mind? Possibly.

Lastly, enough credit has to be given to the Jamaican born, American citizen, Glencoffe Johnson. He is a solid fighter that always comes in shape to box. He’s a true professional that, despite expert opinions, always believes he is in a fight. Johnson is a throw back to the type of fighter that would lay his life on the line to win. He had a game plan that he executed perfectly, and he had more power, speed and stamina than Jones. He also was clearly the stronger man when it came to clinches and physical play. With this added boost of confidence, Glen may be able to make a serious mark on the light heavyweight division, assuming he can stay away from Tarver. If he does, there is no reason to believe that he won’t have a nice stay at the top. He deserves it.

In summary, I would like to add my personal feelings about this fight and the current state of the game in boxing. It’s been a couple of shocking weeks for boxing and quite honestly, I can’t recall the last time I was this shocked by more than one fight in a row. I had mentioned to anyone that would listen, as soon as I heard this fight was announced, that Johnson was a bad choice for a comeback opponent for Roy, but then again, if he’s as shot as he appears, he’s done. He should retire. I can’t say enough, how much I wished that Roy had retired immediately after beating John Ruiz for the WBA heavyweights belt. It was the pinnacle of his career and it would have been a perfect way for him to bow out. The Tarver and Johnson -back to back- knockout losses were serious. They weren’t like the body shot that stopped DeLaHoya, or the way we normally see a knockout. Roy hit the canvas hard, and when he went down in tonight’s fight, his head, violently smashed the canvas, not once, but twice. I never in a million years envisioned myself concerned for Roy’s health in the ring. He just never got hit all that much, but tonight, as I saw him lifeless on the canvas, I was concerned. Very concerned. During his career, Roy has been arrogant to the point where he nearly turned me off from watching his fights, but I always respected his skills. Tonight, all of that was gone, and I truly felt bad for the man, and I kept thinking “just stay down Roy, wait for a stretcher”, because we have seen far too many times, a fighter die or suffer serious injury from knockouts less devastating than this one.

As to the state of the game, let’s face it…it’s a mess. The heavyweight division may be the worst of them all, but it is hardly the only weight class that is suffering. Luckily, there appears to be a surge of young Latino fighters at lower weight classes that may help the sport persevere until a few young lions at the heavier weights can emerge. The devastation of the losses that Oscar and Roy have suffered may contribute to a dip in the popularity of the sport, as both “the Golden Boy” and “Super Man Roy Jones” were probably the most talented superstars of our generation. Certainly, outside of the heavyweights, they offered the most money making potential. Still, boxing is the most resilient of sports. It has suffered worse than this and it always survives. There will be other super stars. There will be other great fights, and unfortunately, other ends to great careers. As sad as they are, perhaps we should be glad for all of the moments that Roy has given us over the last decade and a half and be respectful in our farewell to a true ring legend. I know I for one…will.

Glencoffe Johnson wasn't expected

to win in such fashion

Joe Calzaghe must be kicking himself!!

[lowersmiths]

Totally agree about Jones Pat but the future does have some bright spots on the horizon.

Barrera v Morales 3

Diego Corrales

Manny Pacquaio

Felix Trinidad

Miguel Cotto

Ricky Hatton

Maybe even Calzaghe will have a decent fight someday soon! Have to admit I'm going to have to force myself to watch him v the Egyptian on Friday night.

[chonabot]

Good stuff , though I fear for Hatton vs Tzu if that match is made.

[lowersmiths]

I'm not so sure chonabot. Tszyu has been out for a couple of years and may have slipped a long way. His fight with Mitchell should tell us a lot about what he has left in the tank.

I think Hatton could beat Tszyu but he would have to go straight through him. It would be a war while it lasted. One of Tszyu's right hands that made Judah do his funny dance would also put Hatton to sleep. Still, watching the Hitman smash Mike Stewart has to give you confidence in his chances at top level.

I hope Tszyu beats Mitchell and then Hatton gets his shot at the big time, he deserves it. I've seen most of Hatton's fights live and he is something special. You can't blame Frank Warren for feeding him a few stiffs to up the bank balance but now is the time to go for it.

Where do you boxing fans watch the sport in BKK? Is there a bar that is more popular? I'd love to watch the fights with people who know what's what when I move out there in a fortnight.

Chonabot - How do you think Hatton does against Cotto?

[Santini]

Think Hatton's strengh is his self belief. His technical skills worry me at the highest level. His power is questionable, he has to get close and almost smother his oppenent, which he does very well.

Kosta Tszyu, for me, might just be a little too clever and keep Hatton at a distance. Im not sure about Cotto, i havnt viewed enough of his fights.. though he is red hot right now and would be the more dangerous fight of the two. I doubt Frank Warren will put up for Hatton Vs. Cotto, though he might have very little choice as he has held him back too long

Im also yet to be convinced Hatton can box on the back foot. Having said that, i hope he surprises me. British Boxing needs Ricky Hatton right now..

Id love to see Eastman defeat Taylor and go on to have a shot at Bernhard Hopkins early next year. Always thought he had bags of potential. Just got the feeling he didt love the game, in it for the money so to speak.

[chonabot]

Chonabot - How do you think Hatton does against Cotto?

For me , the verdict is still out on Ricky , he's strong and fairly skillfull , but when you see these Latin American Boxers like Cotto , they seem in a different legue movement-wise. Cotto reminds me a little of Wilfredo Gomez.

Both are up and coming and it would be intersting if they ever met. I feel Cotto would be the better bet though. But as you know in boxing anything can and does happen. Hope for British Boxing that Hatton can do it.

[lowersmiths]

I think what Hatton lacks in terms of silky skills he makes up for in aggression. That will unsettle a lot of fighters, and even the best "mover" would struggle to get away from his non-stop attacks. His body attacks are among the best at any weight at the moment, in my opinion.

What may let him down is his footwork. While he can sidestep beautifully at close range it's a different story at range. Somebody like Junior Witter would give him nightmares, hence why Frank Warren has probably kept him well away.

Cotto looks a class act and I hope Hatton gets a shot at one of the belts before he has to face him.

Santini - I'm a bit pissed off with Eastman. He is a class act but even when he fought Joppy he was lazy up until the last round and blew his big chance. I can't see Taylor fighting him, he will pull out and go another (more profitable) route.

Eastman is going nowhere fast, which is a real shame.

[Santini]

Lowersmiths, i know what you mean RE Eastman...

Im willing him to fullfill his potential, but its almost like he holds something back in every fight. For the life of me, i cant think why? I hope Taylor doesnt pull out, but this is boxing and it happens all too often, unfortunately. Felix Trinidad is back on the scene, so thats only going to muddy the waters further...

At the risk of knocking my credibility on boxing, how do you think Big Danny Williams will get on against Ivan Drago, oops, erm... i mean.... Klitshko!

[chonabot]

I'm thinking Williams will cut Clit-shko to ribbons.......

[lowersmiths]

Santini - I think Williams will get hammered by Dr Frankenstein inside two rounds. I'm basing this on Williams' performances against Michael Sprott and also Sinal Sam.

I admit I didn't give him a cat in hells chance against Tyson but that was Williams' day in the sunshine - I just can't see him replicating it again.

As a Brit I will be cheering him on, but as a boxing fan I think Vitali wins early.

I was at the London Arena to see Herbie Hide get stretched by Klitschko five (?) years ago and he hits far too hard. He is on a high, whereas Tyson was shot. Williams beat Tyson by going toe-to-toe at close range, I think Vitali will just go for the overhand right from outside and starch Danny quickly.

I'm trying to be objective - and I can't forget the feeling when Danny whipped Tyson. Can he possibly do it again? What do you all think?

I agree about Eastman, he could beat Hopkins now but I just don't think he will get the chance. Like you say, he looks like he is going through the motions and always has so much in reserve. I saw him blast Scott Dann out in Nottingham last year and his skills up close are breathtaking. Maybe too breathtaking to get a shot.

[Santini]

It all depends which Danny turns up. Has to be the one that went in against Tyson, devoid of self doubt, otherwise, he will have lost before he gets in the ring.

Id slightly go for Klitshko, as too often Williams has choked, but then i could, and often am, totally wrong!

I wont be betting any $'s on it, thats for sure!

[lowersmiths]

I know, it's a toughie! Danny tooks Tyson's bombs inthe first round so he could take Klitschkos too..........

But I just think Klitschko is too big and too tall. It will end in tears very quickly I think - but that's what I thought last time too

Can a man beaten by Michael Sprott ever be champion of the world? I'm pleased he has got his shot though.

[Siam_seatsniffer]

Roy Jones Jr. may have stepped in to the ring for the last time, the end of a stellar career. Being KO’d by rugged journeyman Glencoffe Johnson will most likely be the end of the line for Jones, who by his own admission has lost interest in the sport in the growing years.

Several factors probably played a part in the loss. Certainly, had this been even 3 years ago, Jones would have destroyed the likes of Johnson. Who is a very likable chap, but whom nobody would place in their top 10 pound for pound ratings. Yet Johnson, wisely, rushed right at Roy and pinned him on the ropes, very similarly to the strategy that Antonio Tarver applied to Jones Jr. on November 8th, 2003. One noticeable difference however, after the second round, Johnson began taking a step back and throwing his punches in a much straighter fashion, thus increasing his accuracy and the effectiveness of his blows. Roy’s trainer probably summed it up best, after the fight, when he stated that he’s noticed that with age “Roy gets hit a lot more now”, “he gets hit with shots he didn’t used to when he was younger”, and that, probably more than anything else was the reason for the conclusions of his last two fights.

Other factors that may have affected the fight are mostly moot now, since it is doubtful that Roy will ever be able to bring in the size of crowds necessary to pay him the type of money he has demanded over the years. Still, without offering an excuse, it would be negligible not to include mention of the intangibles. Aside from his age, Jones also had the affable feat of overcoming a destructive, quick knockout at the hands of Tarver, the only nemesis of his career. It’s one thing to be knocked out by an opponent and have to launch a comeback, but to be KO’d by an opponent that has so openly, verbally lambasted you as “a coward “, that ducks quality opposition…understandably would make for a monumental task to overcome. Did Tarver ruin Jones Jr.? It’s possible. Psychologically, it had to be devastating to have someone like Tarver come along at the end of Roy’s career, calling him out and being able to back up the charge. Roy’s not used to being treated like a punk. He’s played the role of exposing the fakes and making good fighters look ordinary.

Last week, Roy Jones Jr. was unable to make the HBO telecast of Hopkins vs. DeLaHoya fight, because one of his ranches/homes was ruined by Hurricane Ivan. It destroyed property and indirectly caused the death of his fighting birds. Before the fight, Roy never offered the devastation as an excuse; he simply showed up to fight. Could this have had an effect on his psychological state of mind? Possibly.

Lastly, enough credit has to be given to the Jamaican born, American citizen, Glencoffe Johnson. He is a solid fighter that always comes in shape to box. He’s a true professional that, despite expert opinions, always believes he is in a fight. Johnson is a throw back to the type of fighter that would lay his life on the line to win. He had a game plan that he executed perfectly, and he had more power, speed and stamina than Jones. He also was clearly the stronger man when it came to clinches and physical play. With this added boost of confidence, Glen may be able to make a serious mark on the light heavyweight division, assuming he can stay away from Tarver. If he does, there is no reason to believe that he won’t have a nice stay at the top. He deserves it.

In summary, I would like to add my personal feelings about this fight and the current state of the game in boxing. It’s been a couple of shocking weeks for boxing and quite honestly, I can’t recall the last time I was this shocked by more than one fight in a row. I had mentioned to anyone that would listen, as soon as I heard this fight was announced, that Johnson was a bad choice for a comeback opponent for Roy, but then again, if he’s as shot as he appears, he’s done. He should retire. I can’t say enough, how much I wished that Roy had retired immediately after beating John Ruiz for the WBA heavyweights belt. It was the pinnacle of his career and it would have been a perfect way for him to bow out. The Tarver and Johnson -back to back- knockout losses were serious. They weren’t like the body shot that stopped DeLaHoya, or the way we normally see a knockout. Roy hit the canvas hard, and when he went down in tonight’s fight, his head, violently smashed the canvas, not once, but twice. I never in a million years envisioned myself concerned for Roy’s health in the ring. He just never got hit all that much, but tonight, as I saw him lifeless on the canvas, I was concerned. Very concerned. During his career, Roy has been arrogant to the point where he nearly turned me off from watching his fights, but I always respected his skills. Tonight, all of that was gone, and I truly felt bad for the man, and I kept thinking “just stay down Roy, wait for a stretcher”, because we have seen far too many times, a fighter die or suffer serious injury from knockouts less devastating than this one.

As to the state of the game, let’s face it…it’s a mess. The heavyweight division may be the worst of them all, but it is hardly the only weight class that is suffering. Luckily, there appears to be a surge of young Latino fighters at lower weight classes that may help the sport persevere until a few young lions at the heavier weights can emerge. The devastation of the losses that Oscar and Roy have suffered may contribute to a dip in the popularity of the sport, as both “the Golden Boy” and “Super Man Roy Jones” were probably the most talented superstars of our generation. Certainly, outside of the heavyweights, they offered the most money making potential. Still, boxing is the most resilient of sports. It has suffered worse than this and it always survives. There will be other super stars. There will be other great fights, and unfortunately, other ends to great careers. As sad as they are, perhaps we should be glad for all of the moments that Roy has given us over the last decade and a half and be respectful in our farewell to a true ring legend. I know I for one…will.

Glencoffe Johnson wasn't expected

to win in such fashion

Joe Calzaghe must be kicking himself!!

DJ....If roy Jones was as good as he always looked, then he will come back, if he is hungry enough.......I think he is good enough.........He is one of the greats...

Koysta fights Sharmba in Nov.....it will be a interesting fight.....but any fighter who stands in front of Zu, gets knocked down......

[Siam_seatsniffer]

Koysta is still the best pound for pound around now......

[chonabot]

Reckon Bernard Hopkins still in with a shout for best Pound for Pound , but Tzu is right up there still.

[Siam_seatsniffer]

Hope this time, after this fight, that Koysta steps up a weight and makes some super fights....Vs Oscar or Sugar Shane........

Sharmba will just be a warm up fight.......

Oscar may want to come back down after what just happened......it would be a great fight.........

[Santini]

Can a man beaten by Michael Sprott ever be champion of the world?

Indeed!

And then, perhaps, Danny could have a first defence against 'A-FORCE AUDREY'

Hanbags at ten paces springs to mind Or they could even Gay slap each other into submission

[lowersmiths]

Williams v Ordinary Harrison - maybe an ok fight for the southern area heavy title

[DJ Pat]

Danny Williams, like any heavyweight, has a punchers chance of defeating Vitali. Herbie Hide was far to small (remember the Bowe hiding?) but Danny can bang so let's wait and see.

But alas, as a boxing fan, it's gotta be Vitali in 3 with Danny having a good round.

[Santini]

Im afraid Joe Calzaghe did nothing to change my opinion of him tonight. A very lucky fighter, had he been around in another era i doubt he'd be World Champ....

DJ Pat, i hear he will fight Glenn Johnson now, stepping up to 12.5 Stone.....

Calzaghe could win that, however, Jones would drop him in two!

[lowersmiths]

Yes, Santini Calzaghe was very poor and it was worrying to see him get dropped again.

I'd love him and Clinton Woods to fight at LH, it would be a great domestic match-up.

Then again that's what I thought when he got paired up with David Starie

Calzaghe has been afforded too many 'gimmes' by the WBO to ever be considered great. He should have boxed in the US by now to prove himself.

Just out of interest, where did you watch the fight Santini? Do they show all Sky's boxing in Thailand?

[DJ Pat]

DJ Pat, i hear he will fight Glenn Johnson now, stepping up to 12.5 Stone.....

Calzaghe could win that, however, Jones would drop him in two!

Interesting match up to say the least! I think Jones is a shot fighter.

BTW, you mean 12.7 stone, Light Heavyweight.

[Santini]

Just out of interest, where did you watch the fight Santini? Do they show all Sky's boxing in Thailand?

Im here in the UK Lowersmiths

Pat, Ooops! My mistake.... i always thought it was 12.5 stone. I stand corrected

[DJ Pat]

I stand corrected

don't do it again!!

Looks like Jones may fight Calzaghe now.

[Santini]

Tszyu knocked Mitchell out in 3.

Very impressive. For some unknown reason Mitchell went toe to toe and paid the price, down 3 times in the fight.

Id love to see the 'Thunder' from Downunder take on the 'Hitman'.... lets hope it happens

[chonabot]

Tszyu knocked Mitchell out in 3.

Very impressive. For some unknown reason Mitchell went toe to toe and paid the price, down 3 times in the fight.

Id love to see the 'Thunder' from Downunder take on the 'Hitman'.... lets hope it happens 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What ? Jeff Fenech against Thomas Hearns ?

btw it was a class performance from the Russian pugilist. Can't see Hatton going any further really , if it hapens at all.

[Santini]

What ? Jeff Fenech against Thomas Hearns ?

Id like to see that too!