One’s Fall From Grace Can Be Really Bad But When It’s There For All To See It Can’t Get Much Worse ….Or Can It ?

There can be no doubt in anyone’s mind that at the height of his boxing prowess, Roy Jones Jr(54-6,40 KO’s), was one of the pre-eminent boxers on the planet and of his generation. Self aggrandizing , yes, publicity seeking gimmick whore , yes again ! But what has happened to Jones over the last half decade assures why it is that many avowed fight fans have indeed become fed up with the ‘fight game’.

Jones seen here talking about fighting the Australian fighter, Danny Green (28-3, 25 KO’s).What took place in their bout,simply put, was nothing short of amazing.

Nowadays, Jones as a fighter barely lives up to his reputation of the past. Even more so now, wherein, he’s become a complete caricature of his former self ! He’s not had a meaningful fight in years , and though it must be said, that it wasn’t much of a stretch to see him defeat then WBA heavyweight champion of the world,John Ruiz (44-8-1, 30 KO’s) in March of 2003. That fight made Jones the first boxer to successfully challenge for the heavyweight title while at the time still being a fully fledged light heavyweight and at the time a champion within the division. His defeat of Ruiz only added to his legacy and as such, firmly placed him on a pedestal, where he could now be viewed as one of the great fighters of the modern era.

Roy Jones Jr (left), vs John Ruiz , for Ruiz's WBA heavyweight title belt at the time. Jones would win the bout with a unanimous 12 round decision over the champion. picture appears courtesy of Getty Images/ Charles Donovan ..............

Courtesy of Associated Press and Yahoo Sports

Green stops Roy Jones Jr. in 1st round

SYDNEY (AP)—Australian Danny Green stopped Roy Jones Jr. in the first round of their IBO world cruiserweight title fight Wednesday, preventing the 40-year-old American from claiming his ninth title across five weight classes from middleweight to heavyweight.

The 36-year-old Green retained his title and improved to 28-3 with his technical knockout over Jones at the Acer Arena, in the American’s first professional fight on foreign soil in his 20-year career.

It was only Jones’ sixth loss since 1989, along with 54 wins, 40 by knockout.

Green floored Jones with a right hand to the head after one minute. Green moved in to apply more pressure, and following a series of blows, English referee Howard Foster stopped the bout after just 122 seconds.

Jones offered no excuses for a defeat which could signal the end of his career.

“We don’t make excuses, it was a great performance by Danny,” Jones said.

Green was almost apologetic for handing such a defeat to one of his boxing role models.

“He’s one of the greatest fighters of all time and the opportunity to fight him in Australia, thanks, Roy Jones Jr.,” Green told the crowd.

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Jones seen here fighting Korea’s Park Si-Hun in the light middleweight division in the boxing finals, at the Seoul Olympics, of 1988.

Jones, first came to our notice, as a young up and coming light middleweight. He was part of the US Olympic boxing team that competed in Seoul, South Korea, in 1988. But what would happen at those games would in many ways come to determine what Roy Jones Jr, was about as a fighter. Entered in the light middleweight category, Jones was heavily favored to win the competition. And by far in a way, he was ‘the best boxer’ competing in the entire Olympic tournament. However, the infamy and treachery that took place when, Jones, met Park Si Hun, of Korea , in the light middleweight finals of the competition, would leave an indelible scar on Jones and the entire fraternity of international amateur boxing over the next decade. In a highly contested bout, where Jones was clearly ahead . Somehow the judges saw fit to award Park the fight in a split decision by the judges, 3-2. The outcry from not only those in attendance and the US Boxing delegation wasn’t met with any sympathy whatsoever by the judges or the International Olympic Committee (IOC), at the time.

Jones (left) and the eventual winner of the 1988 Olympic light middleweight boxing title Park Si-Hun (Korea), whose hand is raised by Italian referee Aldo Leoni, after the decision was announced. Fans in attendance would boo the decision and an appeal would be lodged by the US boxing delegation as well as by the US Olympic Committee (USOC). It would prove to be fruitless as the decision would stand. Jones' career from thereon in has been filled with the highest of the highs and lowest of the lows. Come full circle and what was thought to be merely a tune up fight against lightly regarded Australian , Danny Green , would prove to be another horrific chapter in Jones' career . A career which has now sunk to the lowest point of his entire professional boxing career. His shocking first round knockout loss to Green, in Australia , essentially derails the proposed fight that he'd hoped to obtain in meeting Bernard Hopkins in a big money bout for early 2010. picture appears courtesy of Getty Images/ Sports Illustrated / John Iaccono ..........................

Fans there and their resultant boos concerning the decision, only heightened the fact that the outrage and bias that had taken place , was simply the sort of corrupt actions that would take place over the entire Seoul games. And even having lodged an appeal with the IOC, as well as with FIBA, the governing body for international amateur boxing. The result stood and Jones was left with nothing but a silver medal to show for his gallant efforts throughout the entire competition. Albeit, that he was awarded the conciliatory prize of being named the best boxer of the tournament.

Four-division world champion Roy Jones Jnr of the US is counted out by the referee (L) after being hit by Australian titleholder Danny Green in their IBO cruiserweight World Title bout in Sydney on December 2, 2009. Green took just 122 seconds to TKO Jones in the first round. AFP/Getty Images/ Torsten Blackwood ........... copyrighted material @ all rights reserved

Jones’ professional career over the ensuing years, are what essentially dreams are made of. His dominance in the middleweight division. Where, he essentially carved out a niche for himself, by completely destroying the competition within the division. Having won world titles in the middleweight division, Jones would then move up in weight categories and repeat his accomplishments, there as well. From the middleweight to the light-heavyweight divisions , Jones was at times a one man wrecking crew. Reeking havoc and devastation upon whomever he met. But over the course of time, confidence gave way to overt cockiness and self aggrandizement , which would lead to Jones’ over confidence in his abilities. And in some ways thinking even less and deriding his opponents. Something that he still hasn’t learned his lessons from. Be it showmanship and his way of publicizing a bout. It didn’t always sit well with the fans. They found it to be repeatedly monotonous and ever so boring !

Four-division world champion Roy Jones Jnr (L) of the US embraces Australian titleholder Danny Green (R) after their IBO cruiserweight World Title bout in Sydney on December 2, 2009. Green took just 122 seconds to TKO Jones in the first round. AFP/Getty Images/Torsten Blackwood ..........

His fights against such erstwhile opponents such as Glen Johnson, Antonio Tarver and Jeff Lacy . Whilst, on the face of it , there were in some ways entertaining. They never really carried with it any assurance that Jones was still a dominant fighter on the boxing stage. Granted, he had the reputation as a showman and a great fighter, when he chose to be. But much of the time, it was mere silliness on his part and on the odd occasion where he thought it meaningful to grace us with his presence in something of a bout. More often than not, on the receiving end was an opponent one would view as a tomato can to be beaten up, on. Jones had losses as well as victories over each of the triumvirate mentioned. But in large part , what happened and what Jones viewed as to what could apparently happen now. Well, in no way did he ever expect to see that particular plan go up in smoke, the way that it has done in his most recent bout.

Australian titleholder Danny Green (L) lands a punch on four-division world champion Roy Jones Jnr (R) of the US during their IBO cruiserweight World Title bout in Sydney on December 2, 2009. Green took just 122 seconds to TKO Jones in the first round. picture appears courtesy of AFP/Getty Images/ Torsten Blackwood ................

Jones traveled to Australia , to meet the native, Danny Green (28-3, 25 KO’s) , in what was meant to be a ‘tune up bout’, before his long awaited fight with former undisputed middleweight champion, Bernard Hopkins (49-5-1-1NC,32 KO’s). That fight essentially is now kaput, with Jones having suffered a staggering and inexplicable first round knockout loss to the young Australian, Danny Green. Needless to say, there were no excuses from Jones. But one now has to question, whether or not it is worthwhile for Jones to continue on in his professional endeavor as a boxer. He’s now becoming the type of opponent that at one time he’d so effortlessly face on the way to some much celebrated victory. No longer is Roy Jones Jr, the most dominant fighter of his generation. In essence his fall from grace , mirrors his abrasiveness and unwillingness to admit that he’s no longer the top dog in the kennel. He’s now become the mutt that everyone finds ugly to look at and who’s essentially become the butt of everyone’s jokes .

Four-division world champion Roy Jones Jnr of the US lies on the mat after being hit by Australian titleholder Danny Green during the IBO cruiserweight World Title bout in Sydney on December 2, 2009. Green took just 122 seconds to TKO Jones in the first round. picture appears courtesy of AFP/Getty Images/Torsten Blackwood .........

Green for his part, can now march to the beat of his own drum. He’s successfully defended his IBO cruiser-weight title and now can await the numerous big money offers that are bound to come his way. Especially after his devastating one punch knockout of a former legend of the ring.

Green’s devastating knockout punch that has or should essentially
end Jones’ career, forthwith ! Roy Jones Jr now , is simply looking his age , an old worn out battered warrior. Simply put , he no longer gives you, your bang for the bucks you’re said to be shelling out. And the same can be said of his peers, Antonio Tarver, Jeff Lacy and Glen Johnson. ‘They’re over the hill’ ! But they’re far too dumb to realize it.

And as I now view it, it couldn’t have happened to a more deserving individual ! Sorry Roy but it’s now time to hang up the gloves, once and for all ! Otherwise, you’ll continue to be the tomato can that everyone has begun to beat up on and kick around the ring. C’mon man, call it a day ?

NB : Click the following two links for a complete chronology of Jones’ professional fight career and bio.

Roy Jones Jr’s fight career stats. Roy Jones Jr’s bio