(IB - March 1, 2003) - Saturday night Roy Jones, Jr. added the title HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION to
his
already impressive boxing resume.John Ruiz became the latest victim of the man who must now be recognized as the best “pound-for-pound” fighter in the world.
The “nay-sayers” that belittle and harass Roy Jones, Jr. must now give him his due props.
The first fighter to ever hold the middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight titles during his career, Roy Jones, Jr. has further enshrined himself in the BOXING HALL OF FAME.
That honor should be bestowed upon Jones immediately! He should not have to wait until he is old and retired.
The man, who was once robbed of an Olympic gold medal, has been the most dominant force in boxing since turning pro.
Oscar de la Hoya has been impressive, but in no way can you compare what he has done to the accomplishments of Roy Jones, Jr.
Roy Jones, Jr. beat James Toney in his prime. He beat Montell Griffith in his prime. He beat Bernard Hopkins in his prime.
Most of the de la Hoya victims have come when they were WELL past their prime.
Critics have accused Roy Jones, Jr. of not moving up in weight class (for their own satisfaction) and taking on stiffer competition.
Being the dominant force in one’s weight class has never been good enough for some. The gradual progression to a heavier weight class usually comes with age.
Larry Merchant has been one of the more vocal Jones critics. Merchant always wants to see fights where the possibility of a “named” fighter goes down.
Merchant contends that when you thoroughly dominate any division it is time to accept a bigger challenge. Roy Jones, Jr. has done that when HE felt it was time.
The timetable some gave Jones is not the timetable he gave himself. He was in no hurry to appease the “nay-sayers” and give-in to fighting an opponent that wanted the “big payday” while he took all the risk.
Give Roy Jones, Jr. all due credit. He did it HIS WAY.
It won’t take long for the Larry Merchants of the world to say Roy Jones, Jr. picked the heavyweight champion title holder he had the best chance of beating.
So what? The Heavyweight Champion of the World is the Heavyweight Champion of the World!
Is Roy Jones, Jr. to blame for the alphabet soup that encompasses every weight division? No way!
Many (myself included) were concerned that the weight advantage of any true heavyweight could cause Jones problems.
Roy Jones, Jr. showed everyone that speed is power. He hit John Ruiz hard and fast. Riuz had never been in the ring with a fighter possessing that deadly combination before.
The one and only criticism I have of Roy Jones, Jr. is the needless taunting of his opponents.
His boxing skills are second to none. He doesn’t need to humiliate and embarrass other professional fighters. At some point these antics may come back to haunt him.
Who is next on the Roy Jones, Jr. hit list?
Oscar de la Hoya talks a lot. Bernard Hopkins talks a lot. James Toney talks a lot. But as we all know…talk is cheap!
None of the above REALLY wants to deal with Roy Jones, Jr. Not REALLY!
All of the above will express an interest, ever so quietly, in a match with Roy Jones, Jr. With one major drawback.
Their stories will all have the same tune. They want an equal share of revenues generated by the fight.
But they don’t have the drawing power of a Roy Jones, Jr.
The only one possible of creating a mega-buck battle where his name is relatively close to Jones is de la Hoya. And he is smart enough to know that NOW is not the time to entertain crazy thoughts.
So…now in the world of professional boxing we have Roy Jones, Jr…and then we have the rest. Correct?
I have one personal note for Roy Jones, Jr. and that is what he himself has said many times before.
“IT’S NICE TO BE THE KING”.
And long may he live.