Could Prime Roy Jones Have Beaten Any Light Heavy Ever?

[Controversial]

I don't see why you laugh and mock me, in '02 Adamek was a dangerous, undefeated rangy Eastern Block fighter who had made a name for himself, wanted a crack and never got one, maybe you think at that stage he hadn't earned it. But by the time RJJ had come back to light heavy, Adamek was the man to beat at that weight

Not sure about that. By the end of 2002 Adamek was 21-0 but he hadn't beaten anyone of note. Most of his opponents had more losses than wins and almost all were on losing runs. He was knocking over journeymen, bad ones at that.

[dberry]

I don't see why you laugh and mock me, in '02 Adamek was a dangerous, undefeated rangy Eastern Block fighter who had made a name for himself, wanted a crack and never got one, maybe you think at that stage he hadn't earned it. But by the time RJJ had come back to light heavy, Adamek was the man to beat at that weight

Not sure about that. By the end of 2002 Adamek was 21-0 but he hadn't beaten anyone of note. Most of his opponents had more losses than wins and almost all were on losing runs. He was knocking over journeymen, bad ones at that.

When he come back to LHW he chose to fight Tarver, the lesser of the two major title holders (Tarver really only made a name for himself by defeating RJJ), over Adamek.
He avoided cruiser weight on his way up to heavy weight, despite a, then undefeated, Jirov calling him out and avoided Jirov at heavy.
I added this to IKSRTFO's claims that he avoided Benn, Eubank and McClellan. I don't know how insulated America is but this certainly got a mention here in the Australian boxing media. RJJ seamed to avoid the Eastern Block fighters of the time.
As for the title question, no body seamed to believe RJJ was beat-able until Tarver beat him, and no body started with the washed up bull shyte until Glen Johnson KO'd him.
He had good wins at middle and super middle against Hopkins and Toney, but denied them both rematches and I don't know how he would have gone against a prime Virgil Hill or Mike McCallum, let alone Spinks, Archie More or Ezzard Charles.

[King Carlos]

Yeah, Jones would've likely boxed Moorer's ears off, but then I've never been very high on Moorer and believe he gets quite overrated at the weight.

The best fighter I could see Roy conceivably beating at the weight would be Harold Johnson, although I wouldn't necessarily bet on it. I think both have strengths to capitalize on the weaknesses of the other, it just comes down to the night.

[raylawpc]

Could he? . . . Why not? He was a talented guy, and on the right night . . .

Would he? Not likely. I agree with Ezzard's assessment, except regarding Qawi. I was never terribly impressed with Qawi.

[Diamond WEAPON]

Hard to tell for me. Even though he beat slicksters like Hopkins and Toney handily, he avoided guys I think were more dangerous like Benn, Eubank and McClellan. If I were as good as Jones, I definitely would want to avenge one of the guys that beat me in the amatuers. (McClellan)

Well unfortunately that wasn't gonna be possible because Gerald wound up getting injured before a figt between them was feasible. McClellan didn't stay at MW very long after he first KO'd Julian Jackson for his title.

[IKSRTFO]

Hard to tell for me. Even though he beat slicksters like Hopkins and Toney handily, he avoided guys I think were more dangerous like Benn, Eubank and McClellan. If I were as good as Jones, I definitely would want to avenge one of the guys that beat me in the amatuers. (McClellan)

Well unfortunately that wasn't gonna be possible because Gerald wound up getting injured before a figt between them was feasible. McClellan didn't stay at MW very long after he first KO'd Julian Jackson for his title.

It definetly could of happend even though a small window. Actually, Jones moved up before McClellan beating Toney at 168 in 1994. McClellan move up to fight Benn in 95. Eubank was always around at that weight so I never got it.

[Rocky Balboa]

I have Foster knocking him out.

Very possible as well.

Very Likely! Jones chin was not the best, & Foster hit hard, very hard!

[klompton]

When he fought Hill Hill was coming off a year long layoff and a beating to boot. He also wanted that fight above LHW so his title wouldnt be on the line.

[dempseyfire]

Roy is not in the top 20 light heavies of all time, let alone a guy who could beat the ATGs in that divison. I don't see Roy beating a Lloyd Marshall at 175, let alone the likes of Moore, Charles, Tunney and Spinks.

[Goodnight, Irene]

Roy is not in the top 20 light heavies of all time, let alone a guy who could beat the ATGs in that divison. I don't see Roy beating a Lloyd Marshall at 175, let alone the likes of Moore, Charles, Tunney and Spinks.

BJerm is going to beat you to within an inch of your life.

[lucaselrey]

Jones was in my opinion an extremely over rated fighter. who did this guy beat worth mentioning? He beat B-Hop who at the time was still learning and didn't fight at the level he did latter in his career. he beat Paz who lets face it was a CHUMP! He beat Toney which i would say was his only great win. John Ruiz was a BUMMMMM all of his career and lost ALL his biggest fights and when it comes to Tito, Jones would have beaten him at any time in his career. i just have a hard time calling someone great when he lost to Tarver and a pillow fisted fighter in Glenn Johnson.