Boxing

 

IBF Strips Roy Jones

Paul-John Ramos

20.11 - In another outrageous move that is sure to fan the self-lit flames over boxing's alphabet groups, the IBF announced earlier today that Roy Jones Jr., undisputed world champion at 175 pounds and arguably the world's best pound-for-pound fighter, has been stripped of his title by the East Orange, New Jersey organization.

IBF president Marian Muhammad announced the decision after Jones agreed to fight John Ruiz at heavyweight rather than Antonio Tarver, the IBF's 175-pound mandatory opponent. A title box-off between Tarver and #3-ranked Montell Griffin is expected, with the #2 light heavyweight spot currently vacant. Jones had been their 175-pound titlist since June 1999, when he defeated Reggie Johnson by 12-round unanimous decision and unified the WBC, WBA, and IBF belts.

Jones' camp expressed disappointment over the move and believes that IBF officials have ignored his loyalty when fighting in '99 under the IBF crest while president Bob Lee was on trial for accepting bribes and rigging divisional rankings. Lee is currently serving prison time for racketeering and tax evasion.

The relevance of sanctioning bodies has dwindled further in past weeks, especially after Lennox Lewis accepted $1 million and a new car from Don King to vacate his IBF heavyweight title, this to set up a money bout between the winners of Evander Holyfield-Chris Byrd and Ruiz-Jones. Jones was also indirectly linked to a recent civil case between the WBC and German light heavyweight Graciano Rocchigiani, whose WBC championship belt was unfairly reduced to an "interim" title after Jones considered moving up in weight but continued as a light heavy.

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