Roy Jones: Mayweather is TBE? Never Came Close To What I Did!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Jones believes, with confidence, that he entertained the crowd like nobody else ever did.

“The great thing today is it don’t matter what anyone says or what anyone writes, you can type 'sickest boxing highlights' into YouTube or Google and you see Roy Jones Junior doing this thing. Nobody can change your mind after you see that. That is pound-for-pound! I did what I did – it happened – it is a fact," Jones said. “Nobody else comes close. You can watch me side-by-side with anyone and it’s not close."

But Mayweather considers himself to be TBA (The Best Ever) - which Jones disagrees with.

He admits Mayweather made far more money, but never came close to his "prime" skills and performances.
Mayweather was a former five division champion, with world titles at junior middleweight, welterweight, junior welterweight, lightweight and super featherweight.

“Floyd Mayweather was TBE at making money, but look at his highlights and look at mine. You can’t pretend it’s the same. You can’t pretend there’s ever been anyone come close to doing what I did. Nobody you could name could touch me - and I’m talking about nobody who’s around now, nobody who was around in my prime, and nobody who was around any time you can mention outta your mouth," Jones said.

“In my prime, I was the ruler. Simple as that. I understand there’s a lot of great fighters who’ve followed me already since I was the champ - and I hope there’s another who comes along does even better because want to see that - but I haven’t seen anyone do what I did yet. I haven’t seen anyone turn pro at 154lbs and win the heavyweight championship of the world.

“Even the great Sugar Ray Robinson, the pound-for-pound guy that he was, couldn’t win the light heavyweight title after turning pro as a welterweight. He had a difficult time trying that. So that tells you how hard it is to jump up that kind of weight and win. So, pound-for-pound the greatest of all time? It isn’t hard to figure out, Roy Jones Junior is your king of the hill.”

[Enlightened-One]

On purely a pound-for-pound basis, the prime version of Roy Jones Jr., without PED testing, would have almost certainly beaten Floyd Mayweather Jr., because of a combination of his remarkable physical attributes, coupled with his unorthodox fighting style.

That being said, Money May’s boxing fundamentals and ring IQ were far more superior to Roy’s, which allowed Floyd to accomplish much more within the sport and also prolong his career.

Mayweather Jr. had the intelligence to adapt his fighting style to optimise his performance levels, even when his athleticism was on the decline… much in the same vein as Bernard Hopkins did for the final stages of his own career.

The reason why Jones Jr’s career declined so rapidly, became a shot fighter seemingly overnight, was his failure to adapt to his fighting style to cater for his own physical decline. He didn’t have the skills and ring IQ to fall back on, since he continuously tried to fight like the younger of himself against opponents’ whose athleticism was greater than his own.

We know that Roy Jones Jr. once tested positive for banned substances (i.e. the testosterone precursor androstenedione), but we don’t know how many times he consumed PED’s (voluntarily or otherwise) throughout the course of his career, since he wasn’t tested that often.

In today’s world, with VADA’s “clean” & “fair” boxing programs with the WBC & WBA, we can only speculate how effective Jones Jr’s in-ring performances would have been had the prime version of Roy been around today, since I honestly don’t know for certain whether some of his remarkable displays were due to his natural talent or cheating.

Would Roy Jones Jr. be capable of becoming the “king of the hill” (his words), in today’s sport, if he had to remain clean in order to compete at the highest level?

[Stuarty]

I'd have a prime RJJ in front of Mayweather in my P4P list. All this TBE bullshít with Floyd just leaves a sour taste in the mouth.

[DrDuke]

No question about their skills, but Roy was more talented, naturally gifted, while Floyd was more rational and dedicated. Roy looked more special, but Floyd had more big names in his list. Both had a huge impact on boxing.

[gilgamesh]

Neither one of 'em are the best ever so whatever

[greg]

...another pissing contest, there's enough place under the sun for both of them and many more..

[SenorPipino]

Jones can say what he wants in his run-up to selling his "final" fight.

Did he address the fact that Mayweather was also never left unconscious on the canvas as Jones was on several occasions?

[tigermoth87]

Jones was a drugs cheat, had a glass jaw and was a duck artist.

[Syntax Error]

Why is Jones Jr even comparing himself to Mayweather Jr?

Mayweather's highest weight was Jones's lowest weight, so the comparison is just meaningless.

Mayweather JR calling himself TBE is just the same as Ali calling himself The Greatest: It's just self promotion to put bums on seats & $$$ in bank accounts.

[KiwiRider]

Neither is the best ever. If there was one weight class in boxing, then you might be able to argue who is the best.
Anyway, Floyd has 4 counts of domestic battery, how many does Roy have?

[Lackeos]

I'm sure that Mayweather and RJJ both have very inflated senses of how good they are. They don't commonly go around speaking in humble tones. Even Ali has been periodically humble in retirement compared to RJJ and Mayweather.

[Taansend]

On purely a pound-for-pound basis, the prime version of Roy Jones Jr., without PED testing, would have almost certainly beaten Floyd Mayweather Jr., because of a combination of his remarkable physical attributes, coupled with his unorthodox fighting style.

That being said, Money May’s boxing fundamentals and ring IQ were far more superior to Roy’s, which allowed Floyd to accomplish much more within the sport and also prolong his career.

Mayweather Jr. had the intelligence to adapt his fighting style to optimise his performance levels, even when his athleticism was on the decline… much in the same vein as Bernard Hopkins did for the final stages of his own career.

The reason why Jones Jr’s career declined so rapidly, became a shot fighter seemingly overnight, was his failure to adapt to his fighting style to cater for his own physical decline. He didn’t have the skills and ring IQ to fall back on, since he continuously tried to fight like the younger of himself against opponents’ whose athleticism was greater than his own.

We know that Roy Jones Jr. once tested positive for banned substances (i.e. the testosterone precursor androstenedione), but we don’t know how many times he consumed PED’s (voluntarily or otherwise) throughout the course of his career, since he wasn’t tested that often.

In today’s world, with VADA’s “clean” & “fair” boxing programs with the WBC & WBA, we can only speculate how effective Jones Jr’s in-ring performances would have been had the prime version of Roy been around today, since I honestly don’t know for certain whether some of his remarkable displays were due to his natural talent or cheating.

Would Roy Jones Jr. be capable of becoming the “king of the hill” (his words), in today’s sport, if he had to remain clean in order to compete at the highest level?

Well thought out post

[Badhusker]

If Jones would have quit after winning the heavyweight championship, I would have him in top 5 all time, maybe top 3. Floyd would be in the top 20 somewhere, probably between 10 and 20.
I would have him #1 all time for defense though, followed by Sweet Pea if that matters.

[stujones]

I'm one of the biggest RJJ fans out there - absolutely loved watching a prime RJJ - BUT, nah - Floyd's a more talented boxer IMO.... Roy is a greater athlete, but Floyd is and was a more talented boxer... which is part of the reason why Floyd can continue to compete in an extremely strong division into his late 30s and Roy was effectively finished as an elite fighter as soon as the speed / reflexes went.

Roy had greater speed, greater power and possibly even a greater engine - but Floyd is and was a better fighter.

[stujones]

On purely a pound-for-pound basis, the prime version of Roy Jones Jr., without PED testing, would have almost certainly beaten Floyd Mayweather Jr., because of a combination of his remarkable physical attributes, coupled with his unorthodox fighting style.

That being said, Money May’s boxing fundamentals and ring IQ were far more superior to Roy’s, which allowed Floyd to accomplish much more within the sport and also prolong his career.

Mayweather Jr. had the intelligence to adapt his fighting style to optimise his performance levels, even when his athleticism was on the decline… much in the same vein as Bernard Hopkins did for the final stages of his own career.

The reason why Jones Jr’s career declined so rapidly, became a shot fighter seemingly overnight, was his failure to adapt to his fighting style to cater for his own physical decline. He didn’t have the skills and ring IQ to fall back on, since he continuously tried to fight like the younger of himself against opponents’ whose athleticism was greater than his own.

We know that Roy Jones Jr. once tested positive for banned substances (i.e. the testosterone precursor androstenedione), but we don’t know how many times he consumed PED’s (voluntarily or otherwise) throughout the course of his career, since he wasn’t tested that often.

In today’s world, with VADA’s “clean” & “fair” boxing programs with the WBC & WBA, we can only speculate how effective Jones Jr’s in-ring performances would have been had the prime version of Roy been around today, since I honestly don’t know for certain whether some of his remarkable displays were due to his natural talent or cheating.

Would Roy Jones Jr. be capable of becoming the “king of the hill” (his words), in today’s sport, if he had to remain clean in order to compete at the highest level?

An excellent post, but I would go further to say that because of Floyd's far far superior ring IQ - he would have found a way to beaten a prime, non tested, RJJ is somehow they were the same weight. Just like Sweet Pea's superior ring IQ meant he almost (and some said he did) beat a superior athlete in DLH at the time - Floyd would have beaten RJJ.

Just one thing on the RJJ testing scenario - I thought (and perhaps I am wrong) that there was clearly something dodgy going on in the testing centre at the time. Didn't his opponent also test postitive? Didn't Roy's B sample (from the same piss) come back clean?

[caldo2025]

I think that RJJR makes an incredible point here. He’s absolutely right that there isn’t a boxer alive or dead that could come close to his highlight film. It’s a new way of looking at a version of P4P comparisons. No one could do it as fantastically as he did for a period of time in his career.

[caldo2025]

Again, you guys don’t seem to understand what Roy is saying here. He’s not talking ring iq, belts or anything other than the highlights he created during his prime. You all can’t be serious that Floyd even comes close to Roy’s career highlights. Floyd’s most noteworthy KO punch was a sucker punch to Ortiz and a zillion shoulder rolls. Yawnnnnnnnnn. Read again at what he’s saying:


“Floyd Mayweather was TBE at making money, but look at his highlights and look at mine. You can’t pretend it’s the same. You can’t pretend there’s ever been anyone come close to doing what I did. Nobody you could name could touch me - and I’m talking about nobody who’s around now, nobody who was around in my prime, and nobody who was around any time you can mention outta your mouth," Jones said.

[squiggy]

I agree with that point that his highlight reel is top notch. Maybe not the absolute greatest ever, but one of them. But he does claim more than that, right there in the OP -- he takes his cherry-pick 'title' win over John frickin' Ruiz and uses it to slight the accomplishments of Sugar Ray frickin' Robinson. And that's some nonsense however you look at it.

[Harkins]

Mayweather was the best - not only cause he was a great boxer - but because he was the best promoter of a fight. Money talks - he has to be TBE - The GOAT.

With this in mind records are made to be broken - we will see greater PPV revenue drawing fights in future - key is to keep boxing relevant and in the eyes of the Non Sweet Science regulars.

Roy does have the the best highlight reels - hands down - game over #Respect

[jamesmcdonnell]

On purely a pound-for-pound basis, the prime version of Roy Jones Jr., without PED testing, would have almost certainly beaten Floyd Mayweather Jr., because of a combination of his remarkable physical attributes, coupled with his unorthodox fighting style.

That being said, Money May’s boxing fundamentals and ring IQ were far more superior to Roy’s, which allowed Floyd to accomplish much more within the sport and also prolong his career.

Mayweather Jr. had the intelligence to adapt his fighting style to optimise his performance levels, even when his athleticism was on the decline… much in the same vein as Bernard Hopkins did for the final stages of his own career.

The reason why Jones Jr’s career declined so rapidly, became a shot fighter seemingly overnight, was his failure to adapt to his fighting style to cater for his own physical decline. He didn’t have the skills and ring IQ to fall back on, since he continuously tried to fight like the younger of himself against opponents’ whose athleticism was greater than his own.

We know that Roy Jones Jr. once tested positive for banned substances (i.e. the testosterone precursor androstenedione), but we don’t know how many times he consumed PED’s (voluntarily or otherwise) throughout the course of his career, since he wasn’t tested that often.

In today’s world, with VADA’s “clean” & “fair” boxing programs with the WBC & WBA, we can only speculate how effective Jones Jr’s in-ring performances would have been had the prime version of Roy been around today, since I honestly don’t know for certain whether some of his remarkable displays were due to his natural talent or cheating.

Would Roy Jones Jr. be capable of becoming the “king of the hill” (his words), in today’s sport, if he had to remain clean in order to compete at the highest level?

An excellent post, but I would go further to say that because of Floyd's far far superior ring IQ - he would have found a way to beaten a prime, non tested, RJJ is somehow they were the same weight. Just like Sweet Pea's superior ring IQ meant he almost (and some said he did) beat a superior athlete in DLH at the time - Floyd would have beaten RJJ.

Just one thing on the RJJ testing scenario - I thought (and perhaps I am wrong) that there was clearly something dodgy going on in the testing centre at the time. Didn't his opponent also test postitive? Didn't Roy's B sample (from the same piss) come back clean?

I don't think so, I don't think that Floyd could have found a way to adapt to guy with such superior physical gifts. Jones had reflexes and hand speed that I've not seen in another fighter.

DLH wasn't anywhere near the athlete Roy was.

[squiggy]

Mayweather was the best - not only cause he was a great boxer - but because he was the best promoter of a fight. Money talks - he has to be TBE - The GOAT.

With this in mind records are made to be broken - we will see greater PPV revenue drawing fights in future - key is to keep boxing relevant and in the eyes of the Non Sweet Science regulars.

Roy does have the the best highlight reels - hands down - game over #Respect

Good Christ, "great revenue" has got to be most obnoxious way any sports fan can possibly assess anything. Why not just bypass sports altogether and be a fan of rich people? Maybe they have rich people trading cards with a cool list of bank figures on the back.

[Cloutov]

I think that RJJR makes an incredible point here. He’s absolutely right that there isn’t a boxer alive or dead that could come close to his highlight film. It’s a new way of looking at a version of P4P comparisons. No one could do it as fantastically as he did for a period of time in his career.

Don t want to compare but Loma is pretty entertaining so far.

[Evander]

Floyd has narrowed the gap in many ways and he's a very big deal, but we are comparing his boxing skills to Roy Jones Jr right.
I'll say this, you have to be very careful of older boxing fans like me and people prior as they hold onto things, newer boxing fans are more familiar and up to speed.
But I like to think I've stayed pretty current.
Here's a good example of older boxing fans before me who were extremely knowledgeable yet disagreed with me on what I thought was an easy fight to score.

Leonard v Hagler
The elite boxing fans before me almost entirely believed Hagler beat Leonard, I saw the decision on the cards as lopsided for Ray.

Onto Roy Jones Jr and Floyd Mayweather.
Me ... I'm convinced Roy Jones Jr was a better boxer than Floyd Mayweather for so many reasons.
That said it doesn't take away from Floyd's skills, the fact that I'm willing to compare them to that of Roy's makes them justifiably a talking point.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Floyd has narrowed the gap in many ways and he's a very big deal, but we are comparing his boxing skills to Roy Jones Jr right.
I'll say this, you have to be very careful of older boxing fans like me and people prior as they hold onto things, newer boxing fans are more familiar and up to speed.
But I like to think I've stayed pretty current.
Here's a good example of older boxing fans before me who were extremely knowledgeable yet disagreed with me on what I thought was an easy fight to score.

Leonard v Hagler
The elite boxing fans before me almost entirely believed Hagler beat Leonard, I saw the decision on the cards as lopsided for Ray.

Onto Roy Jones Jr and Floyd Mayweather.
Me ... I'm convinced Roy Jones Jr was a better boxer than Floyd Mayweather for so many reasons.
That said it doesn't take away from Floyd's skills, the fact that I'm willing to compare them to that of Roy's makes them justifiably a talking point.

I don't agree, I think a lot of people thought Ray won it quite clearly. People who actually score fights rather than going with their emotions anyway.

I'm an older fan, and I thought Ray clearly won the fight.

As for Floyd or Roy, I think they were both the standout fighter of their generation, different skill sets, and Roy carried power up the weights much better. Both were dominant, Floyd only really ever came close to defeat twice, and Jones in his prime, only lost due to DQ. He went on too long, but for me, that doesn't tain his legacy, as his prime was superlative in every way.

[Paci]

After the Ruiz-fight something happend. Roy should have stayed at crusier or heavy, instead of moving down to Lt.heavy to fight Tarver.
But it happend, and Roy became beatable when he lost the speed. Losing that weight took its toll.

Great fighter in his prime. Could have been greater, but didn't take care of his health and lost his mojo in the ring.