By Stephen S. Johnson
(INSIDE BOXING) The fight fans on hand to see undisputed light heavyweight champion Roy Jones, Jr. (45-1, 36 KO's) battle the previously undefeated Julio Gonzalez (27-1, 17 KO's) got action inside as well as outside the ring Saturday night.
The STAPLES CENTER located in Los Angeles, California hosted some 20,000 fans who were anticipating a special birthday present for the soon to be 25 year old Gonzalez.
In a fight where Jones was actually smaller in height, weight and reach the added advantage of Gonzalez was Jones was coming to fight him in California. Jones has long been known to have a tremendous fear of earthquakes.
Were it not for the tremors felt with the landing of Gonzalez on the canvas in the 1st, 5th and 12th rounds Jones had nothing to worry about. The short left hook was the culprit that took down Gonzalez in the 1st and 5th. A short right hand sent down the challenger in the 12th.
The post fight interviews had both fighters expressing mutual respect for one another. Jones stating Gonzalez was definitely there to fight (Gonzalez was undefeated and had been floored on several different occasions only to rise and eventually win the fight) and Gonzalez crediting the champion with superior hand and foot speed.
Enter the ever ridiculous question asking, Larry Merchant.
Julio Gonzalez had performed admirably this Saturday night and against a lesser opponent may have been victorious. But the question Larry Merchant posed raised the hair on the back of the neck of the challenger.
Merchant suggested that the Gonzalez role in the fight had been reduced to that of "a sparring session". Gonzalez, in what was his best combination of the night said, "I don't remember seeing you up in the ring, I was doing the best I could!"
There is currently no fighter in the world 175 pounds or under who can beat Roy Jones, Jr. Several have suggested Jones is afraid of them but the financial terms and sites suggested by these pretenders to Jones' throne have been ridiculous. Just because he is the best in the world does not mean he has been reduced to begging. He totally dominates his division.
Larry Merchant has been vocal the past several years in believing Roy Jones, Jr. is not fighting the best light heavyweight competition available. Larry Merchant has been vocal in saying the same things about "Sugar" Shane Mosley.
The Larry Merchants of the world would have every fight be the type Erik Morales and Arturo Gatti engage in. They are very entertaining but in no way increase the possibility that either would be able to survive his next battle. Both have careers that are guaranteed shot-lived. Neither have the credentials Jones has compiled in the amateurs, Olympics or professional ranks.
Roy Jones, Jr. is in a position where he could demand anyone wanting to dethrone him come to Pensacola, Florida where the comforts of home would make any challenger cringe. Anyone wanting to fight Jones should begin negotiations with the words Pensacola, Florida. That would make everyone sit up and take notice that serious negotiations were about to begin.
Fighting Jones in his own back yard would mean the opponent truly believed he would be leaving Florida the new champ. Financial terms and date for the fight would in turn be no problem.
Can Larry Merchant produce such an opponent? There lives no such animal.
Any TRUE champion takes his "show on the road" without fear of a pro-challenger crowd or pro-challenger judges having any effect on the outcome of the boxing match. The champion "handles his business".
Roy Jones, Jr. has previously stated he will fight anyone, anywhere and anytime as long as the negotiated fighting weight, place and financial terms are fair. Again, can Larry Merchant produce such an opponent?
Roy Jones, Jr. is still "the man" and anyone, including Larry Merchant, who feels Jones has "lost a step"…
07/28/01