By James Slater: Tonight in Moscow, Russia (or this afternoon in the U.S), the career of one the finest boxers of the last 20 years surely came to an end, as cruiserweight contender Denis Lebedev scored a scary-looking 10th-round stoppage over 42-year-old legend Roy Jones Junior.
The end came in the final seconds of the 10th, as the 31-year-old southpaw suddenly burst into life. A right hook to the head was the last in a series of shots that caught Jones and, as ref Steve Smoger dived in, Jones collapsed to the mat. It was a frightening scene, but thankfully Roy got to his feet later and looked okay. Doubtless he will be taken to hospital for a thorough check-up.
The official time was 2 minutes and 50-seconds. Lebedev is now 22-1(17), Jones is now 54-8(40).
Jones, who was taking a huge risk even by taking this fight, looked good in spurts and he proved a lot of people wrong merely by lasting as long as he did. Even winning a few rounds as Lebedev appeared to be giving him too much respect, Jones proved he would have all but toyed with the Russian in his prime. But those days are now long gone; as is Jones’ ability to take a good shot.
The final, brutal blows he took tonight would have taken just about anyone out, however, and many fans were critical of Smoger’s slowness in getting in to halt the beating.
Fellow ageing legend Bernard Hopkins faces his own tough test tonight, in the form of light-heavyweight king Jean Pascal. Can B-Hop go one better than Jones? Or will the careers of two all-time greats end today?
As for Lebedev, he is said to want a fight with Australia’s Danny Green next; assuming of course, Green can get past that other 40-something in Antonio Tarver!