Roy Jones Jr. vs. Evander Holyfield (2003)

[EdwardRevolver1993]

This fight was tentatively scheduled for Oct.4th, 2003, at Madison Square Garden and would've marked Jones' 1st defense of the WBA heavyweight belt, that he won from John Ruiz.

As it stands, this fight (like Roy's other potential fights at HW) didn't happen. And instead of Jones-Holyfield and Toney-Hopkins (which was also discussed around that time) we got Toney-Holyfield (on that same Oct.4th) and Jones-Tarver at LHW.

But what would've happened had Jones and Holyfield faced each other?

I know, many people think that Jones would've lost to Mike Tyson (had they faced in 2003).

Holyfield, on his part, would be coming into this fight with a record of 1-1 in his last two (a win over Rahman, a loss to Byrd). He also would enjoy a very good start in that Toney fight (which he otherwise will lose badly).

Could Holyfield clip Jones and snatch that HW belt from him?

[gilgamesh]

This is the career course that Roy Jones should've taken rather than going back down to meet Tarver. He'll never get credit for beating Tarver in that 1st bout as it's overshadowed by his losses in the rematches, but if he'd stayed at Heavyweight in the first place. I think it's quite possible he could've stayed on top for another year or so with fights like this one, and possibly even become a unified Heavyweight Champion against Chris Byrd.

He made the braver, and harder choice, and paid the price for it. It probably affects his ranking in history, but what can you do. Can't relive the past.

But anyway. That's a long winded way of me saying I think Roy would've beaten Holyfield in 2003.

[EdwardRevolver1993]

This is the career course that Roy Jones should've taken rather than going back down to meet Tarver. He'll never get credit for beating Tarver in that 1st bout as it's overshadowed by his losses in the rematches, but if he'd stayed at Heavyweight in the first place. I think it's quite possible he could've stayed on top for another year or so with fights like this one, and possibly even become a unified Heavyweight Champion against Chris Byrd.

He made the braver, and harder choice, and paid the price for it. It probably affects his ranking in history, but what can you do. Can't relive the past.

But anyway. That's a long winded way of me saying I think Roy would've beaten Holyfield in 2003.

Good analysis. Yes, indeed, Roy had several options had he stayed at HW. And aside of Lennox Lewis, a lot of those other options were winnable. Roy may have been favoured against Tyson, Holyfield, Toney in a heavyweight rematch and in a fight against Corrie Sanders (which was also discussed after Sander's win over Klitschko, but failed to materialize).

[DrDuke]

At that stage of their careers, both Tyson and Holyfield would be easily outboxed by Jones. It's interesting, how Jones could gather more money and fame at the HW division at that period. Why only he missed that opportunity? Since Lewis was retiring back then, only Klits would be a real danger for Jones. The Sugar Roy could capture more belts in this intermediate era.

[elmersalsa]

By 2003, the great Evander Holyfield was through. Done! He didn't had no business in the ring by then.

The great Roy Jones Jr by decision. And very wide enough to say a shutout.

[EdwardRevolver1993]

At that stage of their careers, both Tyson and Holyfield would be easily outboxed by Jones. It's interesting, how Jones could gather more money and fame at the HW division at that period. Why only he missed that opportunity? Since Lewis was retiring back then, only Klits would be a real danger for Jones. The Sugar Roy could capture more belts in this intermediate era.

That's what I think, too. Roy could've unified with Byrd, he could've had fights against Tyson and Holyfield and he probably would've been favoured to win both fights at the time. Not sure whom I'd have picked to win Jones-Toney rematch at HW. But stylistically, Roy would've always been a difficult match for James.

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Roy maybe a shutout