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You can try to debate the topic all you want, but when it comes down to it, there has not been a more dominant fighter, a more athletic fighter, or a more skilled fighter then Jones Jr., but let us move beyond boxing, let us examine the sports world in its entirety. Is Roy Jones Jr. the greatest athlete of our era? Is he on an even playing field with the likes of Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, or Barry Bonds. Is he or was he that dominant?
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We may never see such a precise combination like the one he used to dispatch of Vinny Paz in 1996. We may never again see a left hook so swift and deadly, one like the one that crushed Montell Griffin in their rematch in 1997. And we may never again see the hands behind the back knockout like the one against Glenn Kelly a few years back. We may never again see an athlete play a pro basketball game by day, then go out knock out a reasonable contender, Eric Lucas, by night.
People will talk about Michael Jordan's sick game against the Utah Jazz in the NBA finals, Barry Bond's 73 home run season, and Tigers Woods 1997 Masters performance, but what about Roy? What about his near shut out win over James Toney in 1994? What about his shut out of John Ruiz for the WBA Heavyweight crown?
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So Roy may go quietly in the night as the best athlete that our generation never talked about. At 35 his Royness or "Super Roy", what ever he wants to be called, has accomplished more then any other fighter since Muhammad Ali. You could make an argument for others, but don't even try it. Roy is a one of a kind, much like a Vincent Van Gogh work of art, there will never be another. Roy will go down in history, as someone or something, but unfortunately we just don't know what yet.
Antonio Tarver, Can He Win?
With all the positive things I said about Roy Jones, Antonio still could win this fight this Saturday.
Yes he can beat Jones Jr. For anybody who watched the fight last year in November, Tarver is the Kryptonite that Jones can't ignore. At 6'3 tall, Tarver's smooth boxing, southpaw stance and punching power will always give Roy Jones Jr. problems.
In order for Tarver to give Roy the same kind of fight that he did last year. He will have to pressure Roy and keep him on the ropes. He has to hurt Roy early and often. We all know Roy is the most confident fighter since Ali, so the only way to take that away is to hurt him.
A lot of people are saying Roy will destroy Tarver, but I am not so convinced. Don't forget about Tarver in rematches (Eric Harding) and while Roy has an edge in every single category, we look at in scouting. Jones lacks the most important one, the intangibles. Tarver has the mental edge on Roy, knowing that he has given Roy his toughest fight and in his mind he thinks he won that first fight. So what do I think will happen?
The Verdict
I think Roy wins another close decision victory and this one may even be closer then the last one. Tarver will always give Jones trouble, and now we all know Roy is human. But like I said Roy is special, yes styles make fights, but Roy is Roy. And he will find a way to eke out a close split decision.
Good Time to Be a Boxing Fan
It is a great time to be a boxing fan. We had a great fight last weekend between Manny Paquiao and Juan Manual Marquez. We have Roy Jones-Antonio Tarver this week, and next week we have Pretty Boy Floyd, making his debut at 140 against Chop Chop Corley. And on June 5th we have Hopkins and De La Hoya in separate tune-ups on a PPV card, before their fall blockbuster.
This is an excellent time to be a fight fan.
Chicago Boxing
Chicago fight fans will be treated to something special on May 15th. On that day they will get to see their favorite son David Diaz take on former World Champion Ener Julio in a excellent Jr. Welterweight fight. Also on the card will be Miguel "Macho" Hernandez and Luciano Perez, two crowd-pleasing Chicago contenders. Former Olympian heavyweight unbeaten contender Calvin Brock is featured in the main-event.
Also hats off to NBC and 8 Count-Productions for bringing excellent boxing back to primetime television and to the Windy City. Check out www.8countproductions.com for ticket information.
TalkingBoxing Chats
Also TalkingBoxing has almost been around a year now. In June it will be a year. So I just want to say thanks for all the support we have been getting over this past year. To make TalkingBoxing the fastest growing boxing news Website on the Internet, and pound for pound the best boxing Website around.
Also check in this Thursday May 13th and next Thurday, May 20th to chat with Middleweight contender Kenny Ellis and US Amateur Heavyweight Champion Matt Godfrey, respectively. All chats are at 8:30 eastern standard time. To sign up for the chats, click here!
Just for fun, here is my preview on their first fight...HERE
For questions and comments email: jstecker@talkingboxing.com
