By Janne Romppainen

06.10 - From the today’s superstars and long-reigning champions of boxing, nobody is getting nearly as much criticized about his choice of opponents than the light heavyweight champion Roy Jones Jr He has been blamed on skittering the best fighters, facing only stiffs, tomato cans and anything but real competition ever since he came up from the middleweight division. If the proposed fight against WBA heavyweight ‘champion’ John Ruiz is materialized some day it will certainly silence most critics. But has Jones’ opposition really been that bad so far? To examine that I have listed all the fighters Jones has faced in the championship bouts after he broke through on the world level by defeating James Toney in 1994. I have placed them in different categories based on how credible opponents they were. Is this enough for the best fighter of the world or not, decide yourself.

From the absolute top (fighters who belong to the pound-for-pound lists):

James Toney – He is still the only pound-for-pound class opponent Jones has faced (Hopkins wasn’t that yet when they fought) but to tell the truth there hasn’t been any other fighters in his division of that calibre except for Dariuz Michaelczewski, whom many place to the top-twenty of the world. Jones won the fight easily on points in 1994.

Very good (they are the top of the division and really have deserved a shot):

Eric Lucas – He has proven after the fight that he belongs to the very top of his rather weak division and he still is a reigning champion. Jones won him easily with a 11th round stoppage in 1996

Montell Griffin – Jones faced him twice in 1997, first time losing with a disqualification after a fairly even fight in the 9th round. In the rematch Jones looked better than ever and knocked Griffin out inside a round. Michaelczewski also won him in four rounds.

Eric Harding – His style gave Jones some problems in 2000 until Harding had to retire because of pain in a shoulder. Has been calling for a rematch ever since but a knockout loss to Antonio Tarver last time out put him out of the picture.

Good (not the best division has to offer but worth of a shot anyway):

Mike McCallum – Big name but way past his prime when Jones fought him in 1996. Didn’t have much of a chance as Jones cruised to a decision victory.

Virgil Hill – Would have been class or even two higher if he hadn’t just suffered a heavy loss in the hands of Michaelczewski. Jones was as convincing as ever, winning with a body-shot knockout in the fourth round, back in1998

Lou de Valle – Caused a little sensation by knocking Jones down as the only man in his career in 1998. Other then that, the bout was a rather one-sided showing as Jones again took home a wide decision victory and captured the WBA title.

Otis Grant – Did his best but couldn’t really challenge Jones’ victory, which came by TKO in the tenth round, back in 1998

Reggie Johnson – In the unification bout Jones easily defeated the IBF-titlist, scoring a unamious decision victory in 1999

David Telesco – Hard-punching but slow-moving opponent was a perfect guy for Jones to look good. And he looked good indeed, winning about every round and scoring again a points victory in 2000.

Richard Hall – Strong counter-puncher. Jones was criticized when he chose to fight him and Jones looked good again, making Hall look helpless with his speed. Jones won a convincing 11th-round stoppage in 2000. Later Hall showed that he is a good fighter whenever he can find his opponent by giving twice a brisk tussle for Michaelczewski.

Hopelessly outgunned (not bad fighters but not championship calibre either)

Antoine Byrd – Jones chose to make an easy first defence of his super middleweight crown, taking Byrd out in the first round in 1995

Vinny Paz – The Pazmanian devil was a popular and colourful character, but in reality he had no business sharing the ring with Jones. He never gave up but had to be rescued in the 6th round in 1995

Tony Thornton – Another brave challenger whom Jones easily beat. Thornton survived to the second round in 1995

Bryant Brannon – The Canadian tough guy gave it his best shot by rushing right on Jones in 1996 but Jones soon showed the difference in class and blasted him senseless in the second round.

Derrick Harmon – Jones decided to carry this challenger not trying to finish him. Harmon did his best but was outclassed and he finally retired in his corner after ten rounds in 2001.

Clinton Woods – The 100-1 underdog from Great Britain proved to be game but little else as Jones showed his best tricks before the challenger’s corner wisely called it in the sixth round earlier this year.

No-hopers (guys who never should have had a chance and never really even tried)

Rick Frazier – Probably the most embarrassing victory of Jones career. Frazier looks scared as he retreats for two rounds and then goes down from a glancing blow, taking a full count in the second round in 1999

Glen Kelly – The only thing to write about is the spectacular ending where Jones knocks Kelly out with hands behind his back in the seventh round earlier this year.

So all in all, Jones has fought 20 times in the last 8 years. One of the fights was against a pound-for-pounder, four against very good opponents, seven against good opponents, six against guys from class below and two against no-hopers. Personally I don’t think that’s such a bad record. The only irritating thing is that he has kept his most deserving challenger, Dariuz Michaelczewski, in a waiting line for five years now.

Agree/disagree janneromppainen@hotmail.com