11/17/24
September 26, 2004
End of an era?: Jones KO'd by Johnson.
Yeah, 60 to zero in just two fights. There has to be something to it, right? Or was it one weight class too many?
posted by yerfatma at 11:35 AM on September 26, 2004
He looked so slow and disinterested - Barely throwing punches, but not hurt at all until the 9th. Then one right cross later and the legend can't remember grade 9. I don't think that this will mess up his legacy any more than the last fights of Ali, Frazier, etc. did. He was absolutely the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world for his generation (and probably a few other generations). No one goes undefeated (unless you're name is Rocky). This guy beat up some decidedly non-tomato cans in weight classes he had no business being in.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 02:22 PM on September 26, 2004
Roy has a contract with hbo that he has to play out, this means we'll see him fight again, but it also means we'll keep seeing a Jones that doesn't care if he wins or loses, he just wants to get paid.
posted by jbou at 03:55 PM on September 26, 2004
He was absolutely the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world for his generation (and probably a few other generations). No one goes undefeated (unless you're name is Rocky). Exactly. He's the best I've ever seen. In his prime you couldn't imagine him being beat. It's been frustrating watching him play around in other divisions that he really didn't belong in, but there was really no one who could touch him in his own weight class. it also means we'll keep seeing a Jones that doesn't care if he wins or loses, he just wants to get paid. That's a comical statement. It's not like he took a dive. He's one of the most competitive athletes I've ever seen, and he's always been obsessed with his place in history. The fact is he's a 35 year old fighter who depended on speed to be unbeatable, and now that speed is gone. To confuse that with 'not caring' is a mistake.
posted by justgary at 11:20 PM on September 26, 2004
I watched the fight last night. Massively impressed by Johnson's workrate and the fact that he maintained his defence so well at all times. I'd not seen either him or Jones before but I was distinctly underwelmed by Jones. He looked like he was just going through the motions.
posted by squealy at 05:56 AM on September 27, 2004
A few thoughts. One. I've been watching Jones for at least ten years and I that was one of the scariest KOs I've ever seen. The way he hit the canvas I thought he might be dead. I was terrified I had just watched Roy Jones Jr. get killed on live TV. Two. Speed. Justgary is absolutely right. Jones was faster than everyone else. You had to see it to believe it when he was younger. He's 35 and his speed has abandoned him. He's always fought an unorthodox style, with his head out front and his hands up. It always worked for him because he was faster than everyone else. But last night he wasn't faster and I think his style left him completely exposed without his speed. Three. I hope everyone here saw Jones in his prime. I think he was at his best when he fought Toney. He was just fearsome. I hope I'll see another fighter like RJJ in my lifetime. Thanks for all the great fight Roy.
posted by Mike McD at 07:03 PM on September 27, 2004
should be 'fights'
posted by Mike McD at 07:03 PM on September 27, 2004
Anyone found video highlights of this online? I have yet to see it...
posted by Succa at 07:48 PM on September 27, 2004
He's always fought an unorthodox style, with his head out front and his hands up. It always worked for him because he was faster than everyone else. But last night he wasn't faster and I think his style left him completely exposed without his speed. Excellent point. A boxer like jones, with his strengths and style, is going to be affected by age much more than your average boxer, and perhaps with the loss of speed and his inability to cope without it, he looks like he's "going through the motions". But anyone who has watched his career knows how much pride he took in his career. To suggest he's simply in it for the money now is ludicrous. I also hope boxing fans realize how special a boxer jones was, but I'm afraid for many his skills were over shadowed by the whole " he never faught anyone" view instead of the truth which was no one could touch him in his prime. Most students of the sport, however, will not make that mistake.
posted by justgary at 11:21 PM on September 27, 2004
I watched the Johnson/Jones fight with a keen interest. I've also watched Tyson fights and it feels like RJJ is just a step or two behind Mike. RJJ and MT were devastating fighters in their prime; no doubt about that. Fight fans find it hard to believe that fighters of such caliber just don't have it anymore; even though you continue to watch--in hopes of seeing that flash of brilliance--one more time. It's like any addiction...just one more time, please! I have felt RJJ's ego was growing larger than his talent and that his ego outlasted his talent, of late. Several fights ago, the same with Tyson. Although, Tyson is a whole different argument. Mike cast away his talent. Nothing more, nothing less. Tyson, on more than one occasion could have solidified his place in boxing history (some may say he has) only to shame it away by being a childish punk. Cus D'mato has more than rolled in his grave. I'd give Cus Olympic tens for his backflips. RJJ's gangsta-rappa/pretty-boy/i'm-invicible image has become his obsession; and it's finally caught up with him. His pre-occupation has come with a price...solidifying his place in boxing history. Too many in the crew and too many yes-men telling both fighters what they want to hear. It's a damn shame.
posted by Kimmer at 12:23 AM on September 28, 2004
I don't buy that he was betrayed by anything greater than any other fighter. Everyone retires with a loss. Jones Jr. is less Tyson than he is Holyfield or any other top-calibre fighter who always has to believe he can't be beat. That's the nature of the athlete in a sport such as this. His place in boxing history is as soildified as anyone else of his era and more.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 12:42 AM on September 28, 2004
You can't compare jones with tyson. In fact, I'd say it's a little bit of an insult. One was great for a small span of time before spending more time in prison than than in the ring. Jones has been a champion since he was robbed at the 88 olympics. That's 14 years of being a great fighter. No one could touch him at his weight class, so he got bigger and still found success. How long do you have to be on top of your game to 'solidify' your place in history? 15 years? Jones goes down as one of the greatest boxers of his time, any time, without question. Like Weedy said, everyone retires with a loss. But how quickly we forget.
posted by justgary at 01:31 AM on September 28, 2004
posted by chicobangs at 09:59 AM on September 28, 2004
Wow chicobangs. Thanks.
posted by justgary at 10:34 AM on September 28, 2004
Kimmer: Welcome aboard.
posted by billsaysthis at 11:35 AM on September 28, 2004
Everyone retires with a loss. To be pedantic, that's not exactly true.
posted by yerfatma at 02:06 PM on September 28, 2004
just saw rounds 6 onwards on tv (a replay, obviously) and Jones didn't seem like he had ANYTHING going. no offense. not much footwork, barely connected on anything of substance. he looked awful and nothing like a boxer of his reputation. any place to read any comments he's made about his performance?
posted by gspm at 08:58 PM on September 28, 2004
I also only saw the highlights on TV - definitely wish I had got the fight. Thanks for all the good comments.
posted by vito90 at 09:50 PM on September 28, 2004
To be pedantic, that's not exactly true. The exception that proves the rule ;) ROY JONES JUNIOR.. A LEGEND THAT TIME CAUGHT UP WITH Roy Jones Jr.: It's Over With Time for Roy Jones Jr. to retire Roy Jones Jr.: Speed Kills Both Ways The writer of the last article seems to have the same opinion as I gave above. As far as I know, jones hasn't made any comments yet.
posted by justgary at 10:16 PM on September 28, 2004
You're not pedantic - you're an echo ;)
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 12:54 AM on September 29, 2004
He didn't get KO'd. He got TFKO. Totally Fucking Knocked Out Amazing that 7 months ago people were declaring him the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world (and up there historically), and now he's had his ass handed to him twice in that time. Game over, man. Game over.