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Is Roy Jones’ opposition really that bad? Part two

15.10 - Last week I wrote about Jones’ opposition and how he has done against challengers whom some consider being good enough to prove Jones is the best fighter in the world while others see just a bunch of averages in them. As some pointed out, the big question might not be who Jones has fought but also who he could have fought. So here is a short listing of fighters that some or many think could have defeated Jones or at least they had deserved a chance of trying it.

Chris Eubank

A modern legend of British boxing. Very colourful character who always got the crowd excited even though he didn’t always win. He possessed a great chin and an indomitable will to win, while his defence and lack or really big punch held him back. Many hoped he would face Jones in the Super middleweight title fight in the mid-nineties but the fight never happened and two losses to Steve Collins finally shut ‘Simply the Best’ out of the picture.

Had the fight happened: Jones’ speed and skill would probably have earned him an easy decision or a stoppage victory

Nigel Benn

Also a well-known and colourful Brit. The Dark Destroyer was specially known for his hammer-like punches and his lion-like heart that never gave up in his prime. His best-known fight was his epic thriller against Gerald McCellan which he won in the tenth round. He was recognized as the second-best fighter of the super middleweight before he lost his WBC title to Sugarboy Malinga in 1996. He tried a comeback, but two losses to Steve Collins made him retire. Waited long for a chance against Jones.

Had the fight happened: Benn confessed himself later that he probably wouldn’t have stood a chance against Jones. A fighter with his power always has a shot, but against Jones it would have been a very slim one.

Steve Collins

Another tough Brit. He had an understandable reason to demand a fight against Jones since he twice defeated both Benn and Eubank who were thought to be the biggest threats for Jones. The Celtic Warrior’s biggest problem was that he wasn’t very well recognized in the States and so the fight wouldn’t have been a big event. He waited for his shot until he finally grew frustrated and retired in 1997

Had the fight happened: Collins had a great chin and also good power which could have caused Jones some problems. Even so Jones seemed to be just too good, too versatile for him to overcome. So in all probability Jones would have won, but Collins definitely would have earned a chance.

Gerald McCellan

The G-man was probably the biggest puncher in the business in the early nineties. Especially his two victories over Julian Jackson are well-remembered. Many feel he would have had a real chance of upsetting Jones with his bombs had they fought in the middleweight in 1993 or so. He tried to rise to the super middleweight, but a lose against Nigel Benn that left him permanently damaged halted his career.

Had the fight happened: It certainly would have been exciting, but again, Jones’ versatility and speed would probably have earned him a win.

Henry Maske

Gentleman Henry was the leading light-heavy in the early and mid-nineties. He was a tall, rangy, technically sound and a very clever southpaw who usually didn’t show much spectacular but always won and usually easily. At the time there was talk about Jones moving up to fight him, but as so many other times, the plans fell through. It must be remembered though that Jones was still a supermiddle at the time. Maske retired after suffering a narrow loss to Virgil Hill.

Had the fight happened: This is the one fight where I think Jones could have had some real problems. In my opinion he has never faced a fighter in his prime who was as skilful boxer as Maske. Jones has the edge in speed, but Maske’s reach and experience would have given him a good match.

Virgil Hill

Yes, I know that they fought and that Jones won via convincing knockout. But that was after Hill had been soundly beaten by Dariuz Michalczewski. Had this fight happened when it should have, while the experienced Hill was still fresh, it would have been much more interesting fight. In his prime Hill was fast and a technically sound fighter.

Had the fight happened earlier: Jones took care of him so easily that it’s hard to see how Hill would have been able to compete with him even younger. Still, he could have made a good bout out of it and certainly he would have lasted longer.

Dariuz Michalczewski

The most deserving contender for Jones. He captured the linear light heavyweight title by beating Hill and he earned a title belt too which was stripped from him in thirty days and which Jones eventually got. I can’t think of any other situation in the recent history of boxing where there had been two undefeated champions of one division who both have a real claim to the title but who never fought. It is not only Jones’ fault of course that the fight has never happened but he has promised it so many times that it should have.

Had the fight happened: Four years ago, it would have been a very good match-up. Dariuz’ aggression, chin and stamina would certainly have given Jones problems even though it probably wouldn’t have been enough to win the fight. Now, Michalczewski is clearly losing his peak and Jones would have much easier time with him.

Vasily Jirov

A reigning cruiserweight champion who Jones promised to face earlier this year. It would have been another new weight class for Jones and many were ready to patronize his braveness for facing a bigger opponent. Surprisingly, Jones cancelled the bout and fought Clinton Woods instead.

Had the fight happened: Jirov has a size and a power advantage over Jones, while Jones is the better athlete. In my opinion it would have been a toss-up.

Others mentioned but non-deserving

Bernard Hopkins (again)

James Toney (again)

Joe Calzaghe

Michael Nunn

I wrote last week that Jones’ record hasn’t been that bad and I still think so. However, it is this record that makes him look bad. Even though he probably would have beaten almost all if not all the fighters mentioned above, he certainly should have given a chance to even some of them. Jones has cemented his place in the boxing history for sure, but he could have done so much more.

Also read: Is Roy Jones’ Opposition Really That Bad? Part I

Agree/disagree janneromppainen@hotmail.com

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