jezzamundo wrote:I don't think anyone has mentioned it yet, but the first Montell Griffin fight is surely a mark against Roy Jones's greatness. Jones did seem to be on his way to stopping Griffin before the DQ, but until then it was a highly competitive fight - one judge had Griffin ahead, the other two had it close and Griffin had clearly outlanded Jones throughout the fight. Griffin was a good light heavyweight, but certainly not great and for eight rounds he gave RJJ all he could handle. Of course, Jones destroyed Griffin in a single round in the rematch, but for me, the first eight rounds of the Griffin fight still count against him when considering his ATG status.
Griffin was a good fighter.
Got screwed against Harding. Tompkins and Marotta (I think it was Marotta) couldn't believe Harding got that decision.
I agree, Griffin was a good fighter, just not an ATG light heavyweight. I guess my post was more directed to those who keep mentioning that Roy barely lost a round in his prime. It's true, but largely due to his weak competition. When he faced a live opponent in Griffin, it was very close the first time around. It's no black mark against his name, rather it's evidence that even in his prime, RJJ wasn't quite the unbeatable machine that some made him out to be.
jezzamundo wrote:I agree, Griffin was a good fighter, just not an ATG light heavyweight. I guess my post was more directed to those who keep mentioning that Roy barely lost a round in his prime. It's true, but largely due to his weak competition. When he faced a live opponent in Griffin, it was very close the first time around. It's no black mark against his name, rather it's evidence that even in his prime, RJJ wasn't quite the unbeatable machine that some made him out to be.
Anybody could be an unbeatable machine fighting the kind of opposition Roy Jones, Jr fought. A great talent that wasted his time fighting the majority of his time TOMATO CANS! THAT WAS THE END OF STORY. THE WAS THE WHOLE TRUTH ABOUT HIS CAREER.
A top 50 great pound per pound fighter? Never. A top 100? yes.
At the time Jones said he wasn't willing to travel to Germany and risk being ripped off like at the Olympics. Somwhat at odds with the later stage Jones happy to travel anywhere. Dariusz was very deceptive and really seemed to wear out all his opponents in the late rounds. He could have given a peak Jones a test, but probably utimately would have lost on points.
