Ruiz vs. Jones

[Jim Trunzo]

Thought you might be interested in my newspaper column this week. I'd love to see your thoughts on Jones vs. Ruiz:

Roy Jones finally stepping up to the plate!

Roy Jones has spent the last five years of his career in denial: denying he’s been ducking fighters like Dariusz Michalczewski and Bernard Hopkins; denying that he’s more interested in hip-hop than fistic bops; denying that he cares what anyone else thinks about him. And yet to misquote some foppish guy named Shakespeare, “Methinks he doth protest too much!”
There’s no question that Jones is a major talent and perhaps the best athlete in the sport of boxing, just like there’s no question that Jones has a huge ego. In spite of his declaration that the only person he has to please is himself, Jones’ pride has been stung by the growing criticisms that have been aimed at him as of late.
Goaded by the boxing media and in an effort to re-establish what he feels as his rightful place at the top of the pound-for-pound best list, Jones will finally make good on his tease to take on a heavyweight. On Saturday night via Pay-Per-View, Jones will step into the ring against John “The Quiet Man” Ruiz for Ruiz’ WBA heavyweight title.
Jones has hinted at trying on one of the big guys for size for several years; and at one point, it looked like Jones was going to take a shot at Evander Holyfield, though talk of a Jones vs. Lennox Lewis fight was completely disregarded. Now, though, Jones has found a heavyweight against whom he has more than just a fighting chance . . . pun intended.
John Ruiz is a competent heavyweight with a sneaky right hand, determination and endurance. He’ll also hold at least a forty-pound weight advantage over Jones. On the flip side, Ruiz is slow of hand, weak of chin and porous of defense.
As a matter of fact, it’s currently en vogue to call Ruiz the worst heavyweight champion ever. Obviously the so-called boxing experts who label him as such have never heard of Tommy Burns, Primo Carnera or, more recent suspects, like Tony Tubbs, Michael Dokes or Trevor Berbick.
Nobody will compare Ruiz to a Jack Dempsey or Rocky Marciano. Heck, for that matter, Ruiz isn’t a shadow of a prime Holyfield, Lennox Lewis or even Chris Byrd. But Ruiz is steady and courageous and, against the much smaller Jones, a definite power threat.
Of course, Roy Jones isn’t the first light heavyweight to invade the heavyweight division in quest of bigger game and higher purses. Boxing has a grand tradition of 175-pound fighters trying on the 200-plus pounders. The fact that most of them have failed to dent the heavyweights hasn’t been a deterrent.
Billy Conn appeared to have the great Joe Louis’ number until the cocky Conn decided to trade with the Brown Bomber, who promptly introduced him to a heavyweight punch and knocked him out. Bob Foster, one of the biggest punchers in light heavyweight history, made more than one foray into the heavyweight ranks, only to be soundly thrashed almost every time. Archie Moore, for all his greatness, never obtained a heavyweight crown in spite of several opportunities.
Light heavyweight champion Michael Spinks did win a title and successfully defend it against a past-prime Larry Holmes; and Michael Moorer made the jump and caught an ailing Evander Holyfield at the right time and annexed a portion of the heavyweight bauble, too.
But neither Spinks, who was brutally separated from his senses and the title by Mike Tyson, nor Moorer, who lost his belt to the ageless George Foreman, were able to hang onto their crowns.
So what chance does Roy Jones have against John Ruiz? In most estimations, a pretty good one. The fight breaks down quite easily. Jones wins if he can use his far superior hand and foot speed to out-maneuver the plodding Ruiz. If Jones can stay away from The Quiet Man, flurry in spurts, beat him to the punch and avoid prolonged exchanges, Jones wins going away in what would probably be a boring, ugly fight.
Jones will lose the fight if Ruiz can consistently muscle him into the ropes or corners and pound on him. Twelve rounds is a long time to avoid an opponent, especially when you can’t stop moving to clinch or catch a breather along the ropes. The inside isn’t an option for Roy because it’s simply too risky. He doesn’t have the bulk to out-muscle Ruiz inside and Ruiz can throw a power-uppercut.
Part of the intrigue of the bout centers on the chances of Ruiz, a legitimate heavyweight puncher, landing a solid punch and stopping Jones inside the distance. Jones has been shook by light heavyweights and has tasted the canvas but he’s never really been in serious trouble. It remains to be seen how it will withstand a blow delivered by a 220-pound fighter.
Jones’ power is generated as much from the speed of his punches as from innate strength. It’s an old boxing axiom that the punch that really hurts you is the punch you can’t see coming. Due to his blazing fists, Jones forte is landing exactly those kind of punches. Because Ruiz has a less-than-granite chin, it will be interesting to observe the effect of Jones’ shots on Ruiz.
The rule of thumb in boxing is that a good big man will always beat a good little man. The Roy Jones vs. John Ruiz fight, however, features a mediocre big man against a great little man. Jones is fighting for his historical standing; Ruiz is fighting for respect. May the best man win.

[JeffR]

Nice article, Jim. One comparison for Jones you missed: Mickey Walker. Walker started out even smaller than Jones, but fought a few heavyweights in the later part of his career, decisioning some so-so contenders (Bearcat Wright, King Levinsky, Paolino Uzcudun), drawing with Jack Sharkey, and getting stopped by Schmeling. Great little man vs. mediocre big man seems to go to the little guy, but any matchup closer than that and Jones is in big trouble.

(And I'm a little surprised to see Dokes and Burns on a list of worst heavyweight champs, particularly one that doesn't include Jim Braddock or Neon Leon.)

[Cap]

Well, I now question your knowledge of the ring, Jim. To include Tommy Burns in with the worst champions in the heavyweight division. I won't even bother to repeat all the facts that support the opposite opinion. At 5'7" and 175 pounds, Burns did more during his reign than the majority of no-talent American bums who held the title before and after him.

No point in arguing the subject with people who don't know what the heck they're talking about.

Cap

[jas80s]

Jim,

Enjoyed the article. I have to say, I am a Jones guy so take this for what it is worth. First, I have never been of the belief that Jones is ducking people. He fought Hopkins and beat him fairly easily, does it really make sense that he's ducking him now? Why? He won before and he is still bigger and faster. I, for one, am not even that interested in seeing them go again......It would either be the same boring, distance fight or perhaps a stoppage for Jones. I just don't see the scenario where Hopkins is now able to win when he couldn't before.

As for Michaelczewski, he's the one who will not fight outside Europe. I figure, after what happened to Jones at the Olympics, he has earned the right to be weary of horrible hometown decisions. I find it hard to believe that there has ever been any willingness on Michaelczewski's part to fight Jones in the US. On that, I have to admit, I could be wrong. However, Jones really has fought the guys that are out there for him throughout his career and I just don't see him thinking that this guy is just too good for him, if he thought that way he probably would have ducked James Toney. He was as fearsome a champion, at the time Jones took him on, as there was in boxing and Jones showed no fear. I think what frustrates people about Jones is that he won't make bad deals. He wants a deal to be right before he goes forward, witness the sweet deal he was able to orchestrate with Ruiz.

I am pumped for the fight, and despite my backing of Jones, I have to say, what draws me to this fight is the possibility that Jones may have finally met his match......He certainly hasn't up til now.

[DUDEKHAN]

No way Roy was ducking Hopkins-he listened to Hopkins demands (which were ridiculous) and personally called HBO to see if he could get the money for Hopkins. Hopkins really didn't want to fight Roy Jones and made it a point to keep his demands out of reach- {<>..<>}

[Jim Trunzo]

Don't get me wrong! I didn't say that he was ducking these guys; I simply stated that the he's been denying the perception that he's been ducking these guys. That said, Jones hasn't been the same fighter since the tragic Gerald McClelland incident. I don't believe that we've ever seen more than glimpses of what Jones could have been as a fighter. His athleticism and skills are incredible but he doesn't, in my mind, have the fire inside to let it all go . . . perhaps because he doesn't have to do so. I don't think Hopkins or Michalczewski had/have a chance against Jones; however, they were both big paydays for him, relatively risk-free, and a way to silence critics. I don't care if he'd have fought Michalczewski in Berlin on Germany's biggest holiday - he could have knocked him out within 5 rounds if he wanted to and not worried about a decision. With the world's eye on the fight and the German only the WBO champ, it would have been difficult to get away with a disqualification/robbery - not impossible, granted, but difficult. Whatever the case, Jones has finally taken a chance. We'll see just how big of one tomorrow night. Frankly, I believe Jones will win a lop-sided and boring decision.

[wildhawke11]

My personal take on Roy Jones.
He has fought two decent fighters by the standard i judge fighters
on.

James Toney who was in no condition to take that fight with Roy
and Hopkins who is only considered very good, because of the total lack of talent that is now in what i am sure Jim will tell you, was once considered the elite division to be in.

You may think i am living in the past ------ Nooooooooo
Jim and i remember the days when there were boxing clubs and gyms galore. So many young men wanted to be fighters, in some cases that was one of the only ways to put bread on the table.

The competition was fierce, and only the very best got to the top.
a fighter back then had to earn the right to even become a contender let alone get a Title Shot.
Just one example you mabe have heard of Jake LaMotta and his 6 fights with maybe the best pound for pound fighter of all time, Ray Robinson,who had 125 fights before he lost one. I think Ray only got a title shot himself after 75 fights.

LaMotta never got a shot at the title till he was a little beyound his peak. he was kept waiting and waiting by the Powers who controlled Boxing. Its hard to stay motivated and in shape when the fights are not coming your way.

A lot think Roy Jones is the best or near best ever, among the talent today i have no doubt he is.
But trust me on this one, if fighters like Tony Zale, LaMotta, Marcel Cerdan, Dick Tiger etc etc let alone Monzon Hagler, Greb, Walker and Robinson himself were around today, you would see the quality of fighters Roy has dealt with, and is judged on, there 3rd raters by these guys standards.

Take the Heavyweights today, now be honest, how many can turn a jab into a hook, or use fast combination punches.
how many do you see feint a head punch to bring the guys hands up, and then throw a hard body punch.

Today people talk about our Champ Lewis`s great jab and how hard it is to get past it, there right, because i often wonder if the moden HW has ever been taught how to deal with a jab.

All they know is to try and move backwards from it.
worse thing you could do, with Lewis your playing right into his hands, he likes to dictate from long range.

How many know how to block a jab, or push it aside and counter, or better still move inside a punch and work where Lewis is most uncomfortable on his back foot. He looks lot less of a good fighter when you dont play to his strengths.
Do you often wonder why fighters who have an great amateur carrear, dont do so good and look sometimes bad as a pro.
In there none pro fights, you have 3 rounds to impress the judges, hence most of the blows are head shots, also it takes more rounds for body punches to take affect.

When they turn pro its a different ball game, hence body shots are all new to them. Fighting inside is also all new. its like learning for most all over again.

Just a last thought Jim. imagine saying to a modern fighter like they did with say Harry Greb, ummm you best get in shape i have booked 3 fights for you this week :-)

Nice write up Jim but be a little harder on Jones next time LOL.

To sum up Jones has the drawing power to pick and choose his own fights, a luxury that many dont have.I know he has the skills but not a fighter today around to take him into the trenches and test his heart.

So in another way little unfair to Roy, as we will now never know how good or great he really was.

Wow i do ramble on even thought of not sending this LOL. Just some food for thought boxing fans.
Cheers

[Jim Trunzo]

With all of the above said, where would you rank Roy Jones among the all-time light-heavyweights? We can quickly drop him to third, behind Ezzard Charles and Gene Tunney. Then I don't think that he could have handled the pressure Harry Greb or the all around skills of Archie Moore. I kind of like Billy Conn over him, too, and Michael Spinks would have given him an excellent fight. Okay, that puts him no higher than 6th or 7th. Then we have to factor in fighters like Bob Foster (whom I think Roy would have had a very good chance of beating, based on his speed alone). Some of the old guys like Jack Dillon, Tommy Loughran and John Henry Lewis would have been even at worst with Jones. Jones would have beaten guys like John Conteh and Victor Galindez and, because styles make fights, Matthew Saad Muhammad, as well. Harold Johnson might well have out-boxed him and Jimmy Bivins, when he was right, could give anyone fits. I would have to say that Jones is a fringe Top Ten light-heavyweight, which is no shame. But, echoing some of the sentiments above, we'll really never know just how good he really is, due in a large part to the mediocre competition that he's been forced to face.

[PittPanther]

Sorry Jim, but come on now, by saying the Jones is denying ducking Hopkins and Dariuscz you are implying that he is ducking them. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

And with all do respect to my friend Danny, and you Jim, Jones is the real deal, and would easily eat up most of the fighters that are mentioned. Would I rank him among the best light-heavies ever? Sure. . .but you know what? It's tough to put your finger on Roy, which is a testament of the fighter he is. You really think that Billy Conn could beat him to the punch? (this question coming to you from a Pittsburgh native) Harold Johnson outboxing him? I can't disagree more.

In fact, I could run down the list that Danny provided and disagree with most of those comments. And, as you all know, I have the utmost respect for a lot of those middies that he refers to. The only three I see beating Roy in that list are Monzon, Greb, and my man Sugar Ray. . .


Jones doesn't get respect from people because he is not only good, but he is very cocky and aggressive. It's either a love hate relationship with Roy. . .I happen to enjoy seeing him, from the walk into the ring until the interview afterwards; he has a certain charisma that makes me root for him. No, he's not my favorite of all time, but I've seen him more than I have seen probably any other fighter, from his early days on Tuesday Night Fights, until now. He will clean your clock. He is a natural born fighter, the total package if you will.

As far as history goes, this fight proves to be even more of an enigma. I'm not sure what will happen, and although I'm not a betting man, if I did, I'm sure you know who my money would be on.

But the sad thing is, that even if Roy wins, he still won't get respect from most fight fans because they will point out that Ruiz was a bum and that Roy never fought anyone, while in the same breath they will utter how good Tyson is even though he has never beaten ANYONE that was ever good!

A little while ago there was a list that asked everyone to rank their top middies of all time. Guess what? Hopkins made most lists, and he deserved it. You can see where I would go with this. . . can't you? Should Roy be punished in our eyes because he took a chance and moved up? No way! Name one guy in people's top ten heavies that Tyson beat? Bet you can't! Ok, rant is officially over, and if any of you live in Pgh, I'm having a party tomorrow night if you want to come over, but beware, it's a strong Roy Jones camp!

One last note:I'm with Cap. Tommy Burns among the worst Heavies? Once again, I couldn't disagree more. . .

[wildhawke11]

Sorry about rambling on so much, but at least it might have made a few think. You have put me on the spot with the LHW division. So once again i will walk the walk as they say to the Ring and my fate :-)

Before i start Jim, as you well know its almost impossable to rate the old HW against the modern one because of the weight difference. Plus most people always in there minds take the fights forward to say 2003, which puts the old fighters at a big disadvantage. At least with the other divisions we are in with at least a better shot.

My way of rating fighters is to pick who i think is the top 10 of all time in a division.

Then pick say the next 40 or so best, in no special order.
Then i take my top 10 pick, and imagine them all fighting each of the other 49 or so in turn. This gives each fighter about a 50 or so fight career facing differing styles. Then I place my top 10 in order based on the results of the fights.

Just an example, if say Billy Conn had beaten more of the 50 then any other, even if he had lost to Foster and a couple more in my mind. He would be my Best of All Time. I Feel this is a much better guide then just saying, Foster would beat Conn, so Foster must be placed above Conn.

No good beating the top 3 and then losing to most of the others :-)

Also i imagine say Tunny also having the advantages of being able to study the modern fighter on video film like todays fighters can, and power training also be at hand if he so chooses to go that route. Failing that, we then to be fair have to say. Take the HW
Lewis and the power training and modern aids away and make him go 40 rounds with say Jim Jeffries in Jeffs time. So all factors considered and fights over 15 rounds here goes

Top 10 LHW
1 ---- Ezzard Charles
2 ---- Gene Tunney
3 ---- Archie Moore
4 ---- Sam Langford better at this weight i feel so have put him in
5 ---- Bob Foster
6 ---- Billy Conn
7 ---- Harry Greb holds his own and better i have a hunch in here
8 --- Michael Spinks
9 --- Jack OBrien -- most will i feel say WHO ????????? :-)
10 -- Bob Fitzsimmons

Roy Jones -- lingering near but with reservations, could drop lower due to age and over 15 hard rounds OK if he has the Heart and the desire maybe . Also as LH he would not be at his peak years maybe even to old. Dont forget the above are the Best of All and you would need to be at your very best with these guys at there peak.Now the above fighters would have brought the best or worst out in Jones and be a far better way to judge Roy place in History rather then on the John Ruiz fight, regardless of the result.


Talk about giving away weight how about the Great Tommy Loughran gave away 100lbs when he fought the less the average Carnera Loughran at least makes my top 20 no punch but great boxer.


After my Top 3 you could make changes to the order i have placed them in i agree.
Many others, John Henry Lewis, etc etc could easy replace some above. course i am not right Jim but who would be.

Please forgive my Grammer and spelling All but it is about 1am and i have had a long day. Its Hell being retired :-)
I know i must have missed out on at least a couple of other Great Fighters but without more time to think best i could do.

Course my list is far from perfect but who the hell could get it right.
Danny

[wildhawke11]

Panther
Read again what i said please, in my previous thread
I more or less said those fighters would do the same as Jones and beat them. just as he has.
If you think all the guys Jones has beat are good fighters
all bar i feel 2 or 3 will not even be remembered in 20 years time.
By All means disagree with me no problem we all see it different.

Just a small point Panther i note you used the list that the guys on here put to say Hopkins was in the there Top 10 of the MW men

Did you somehow forget to mention that Tyson the one you are so quick to put down was in nearly everyones Top 10 when we made the HW list

Cheers enjoy the fight

Danny (Wildehawke11),

When it comes to appreciating the fighters of the past, you and I sure think alike.

Your list of the all time great Light Heavyweights has lots of the same fighters as the list I posted a few months ago. You included a few fighters that I didn't, Langford, Fitzsimmons, O'Brien and Greb but I can't really disagree with those folks. Maybe Fitzsimmons, as Fitz was way past his prime when won the LHW championship. But he fought as a middleweight/lightheavyweight throughout his career (with great success) so I can see his high rating in the LHW category.

I also agree that Burns wasn't all that bad. He was certainly one of the best heavyweights of his time. He deserves a lot more respect as a fighter than most of the modern HW "champs" such as John Ruiz.

[PittPanther]

Originally posted by wildhawke11
Panther
Read again what i said please, in my previous thread
I more or less said those fighters would do the same as Jones and beat them. just as he has.
If you think all the guys Jones has beat are good fighters
all bar i feel 2 or 3 will not even be remembered in 20 years time.
By All means disagree with me no problem we all see it different.

Just a small point Panther i note you used the list that the guys on here put to say Hopkins was in the there Top 10 of the MW men

Did you somehow forget to mention that Tyson the one you are so quick to put down was in nearly everyones Top 10 when we made the HW list

Cheers enjoy the fight

You made my point for me Danny about Tyson. He hasn't beaten anyone, yet you say that Roy hasn't beaten anyone. . .Yet somehow Hopkins still is the champ at 160, and, at this point, after a convincing win against Trinidad and some 7/8 years as champ is regarded as one of the all time greats. You don't give Roy enough credit. By the way, Tyson didn't make my top ten list, and never would. I feel that ranking Tyson in the top 10 heavies of all time is to show extreme prejudice for a man who beat up an endless stream of Trevor Berbick's from the get go. . . Heck, if you want Tyson in your top 10, then you might as well put Lewis in there in there too, and I know you Brits Danny, you would love to do that! So, no I didn't mention Tyson being in anyone's top 10 list because it had absolutely no bearing on my point. . . but in hindsight, I guess it did. It helped strenghten my point, in that you, and many others are willing to give Tyson much more credit than he deserves, yet in the same breath you will say things like Jones hasn't fought anyone and that we will forget who he fought in 20 years. Name one decent opponenet that Tyson beat? Marvis Frazier doesn't count. . .

And you never give Greb enough credit! hahahahahahahahaha.......but that's another point entirely.

To sum it up, Mike Spinks a better light heavy than Roy? Sorry, I just can't see it. Plus Loughran deserves to be there more than Philly Jack, I think you just dropped his name to see who was paying attention. Just my opinion, but I see the light heavies a little differently. . .Although, light-heavies are the most awkward class to rate. . .

MY List edited
1- Gene Tunney---The cream of the crop
2--Sam Langford---"The Boston Tar Baby", I'm in agreement here with you, this guy was fantastic. Although its tough to speak his name without thinking of Johnson, Jeanette, and McVeigh
3- Ezzard Charles "The Cincinatti Cobra"
4- Harry Greb
5- Archie Moore. . .The Old Mongoose is one of the best of the best
6-Roy Jones
7- Bob Foster---devastating puncher, another one of the all time greats.
8- Ruby Robert Fitzsimmons -I belive the first 3 division champ
9--Billy Conn "The Pittsburgh Kid"
10--Dick Tiger

Now, as I recall the only guy to win the heavy belt as the standing light heavy champ was Spinks. . .And he gets no respect from me whatsoever, so I don't think it would be fair to say if Roy wins this fight he would be the greatest.

The real question would be, how many guys who were their best at Middy were able to win the Heavy title? Fitz, perhaps, but who else? And these guys that we mention, heck you could argue that a lot of them didn't fight much talent either. . .

Just my opinion. . . If I know you Danny, I know you will leave it, as opposed to take it, but we are different kinds of fight fans.

Hell, you probably don't like Oscar either.

[wildhawke11]

Panther just to clear a few minor points up.

I -- I am not British - born in Dublin in fact, and even if i was a Brit i would still not be a fan of the present Champ Lewis.
Two young men who i do like over here are David Bey and Ricky Hatton, providing there chins are good when fully tested.

2 -- While its on my mind I Like Oscar as it happens i think he is a very, very good fighter could hold his own with anyone.

3 -- As for me not giving Harry Greb enough credit i have not bothered to look back but i think i rated Greb in 3rd postion against your was it 2nd in the MW ( Pretty close i would say anyway ) I rate Greb as a LH the same almost as you, before you changed your mind i believe you placed him 6th at first
before moving him up to 4. which may indeed be correct so i have no problem on that move.

4 I think you got it right when you said words to the affect that most of my comments i have made early on you could disagree with. ( want the truth i was pretty sure you would )
Still thats your privalge. No i am not anoyed just, feel i am wasting my time and maybe i am.

My son Gary just read this thread and has said as he refilled my glass of wine.
" Dad i dont know why you bother your time would be better spent up the Boys Club that my friend runs "
So i will leave it at what i said and still believe to be correct

Leave you with one last thought Panther
Has it entered your mind that Harry Wills is now considered a greater fighter based MORE on the fact that he NEVER did fight Dempsey rather then if he had done.
With Respect
Danny

[PittPanther]

Danny, I apologize for calling you a Brit. I thought I read that somewhere else, but geeze man, I'm not attacking you. I was joking with you about Greb. Which leaves me at an impasse. This mode of communication just isn't the best to discuss fights, as everytime I disagree with you, you seem to be somewhat annoyed with me (I know you said you weren't, but I since that you are).

I apologize again for my mistake about you being a Brit and I hope you aren't too insulted with me, but I understand if you are. The truth being, I really enjoy reading your posts and I like to hear what you have to say about fighters. You know your stuff, and it's refreshing to discuss fighters with you.

Will we ever agree? Probably not, we are different fight fans. But that doesn't mean we can't discuss them.

Oh well, I'm gonna split for a bit and leave you guys alone. Danny I only wished you lived down the road from me, as I would really enjoy to sit and talk and watch fights with you. Then you would see, I'm not a bad guy and that you aren't wasting your time.

[wildhawke11]

Panther
No of course i was not insulted by you calling me a Brit, in fact my wife is English and my two sons 42 and 40,and daughter 37 are all English. So alone i stand waving the Green White and Gold flag :-) So no need to say sorry my Friend.

About sitting and having that drink with me. No i dont think your a bad guy, and in fact if you take another look at nearly all we have talked about in regard to past fighters and boxing in general, we agree in most cases. Even Ali and other Greats dont always see it eye to eye the same way at times, So why should we.

About communication, without being able to see the other persons face or hear the voice, i am 100% with you on that point.

( Wow we have at last agreed on Something )

I said that on purpose just now to prove our point, if we were both sitting face to face and laughing, no offence would be taken. But a first glance at the words above could be looked upon as a form of sarcasm, if like now, they are just words printed on a screen, instead of being word of mouth with a smile attached.

I can just picture you saying to a buddy of yours " This is my friend Danny from UK he likes boxing to "

When he replies " Hey Danny whats your take on Roy Jones aint he just the Greatest " and we both burst out laughing at his remark, remembering how we had crossed swords on this one :-)
After your friend picks himself off the floor from the left and right hooks that we both threw at the same time that decked him. Just imagine him then adding " Did i say something wrong Guys " LOL
Only Joking you know that

Bet you picture me as a little old guy stumbling along the road muttering to myself about the Good Old Days and being helped across the roads by little old Ladies. Then wondering in my fuddled mind just what the hell i wanted this side of the road for in the first place, as i took another swig out of the dirty old bottle that i just took from my faded jacket pocket, that like me had seen better days :-)
The above is also my Irish sense of humour

Truth is i am 64 on March 4th so will be looking forward to my sons and his friends coming around to see me with there girlfriends of course. With a bit of luck they might even bring a girl around as a present for me ( i should be so lucky dream on Danny Boy )

As per usual once, the guys get a few drinks down them, i will get asked to tell some storys from the past. Then the Ladies all bored, will sit and chat about the latest TV show or the great little dress they saw in the Mall the other day. Discussing quite rightly, how all men at heart are still little boys. Then adding, i told Joe before we came not to drink to much and just look at him now LOL.
On a last Note OK :-)
Cheers Roy Jones you did well.

[Pretecf]

Surely the regulars know where I stand on this one, but I really cannot leave it untouched. What exactly does Roy have to do to gain some respect? I suspect he has to reach a ripe old age, like the rest of us did, eh?

Boxing is about athleticism and intelligence. Ali had them both and although he was not respected in his time, he has become a truly respected legend in his sport. Jack Johnson showed that he possessed them both and he suffered as well before becoming a legend. Heart, determination, stamina, the ability to take a punch, and a good chin are all components that get measured when you no longer possess the athleticism or intelligence necessary to dominate your opponents.

Roy Jones has not ducked opponents AND he has never been defeated (Unless I am confused about his loss being a DQ for hitting an opponent who was down). Roy celebrated his 14th anniversary in the ring last night. Roy is old by boxing standards and, while avoiding no competition, has never been seriously tested. Mr. Roy Jones Junior will someday be mentioned with the greatest fighters who have ever tied on the gloves. The man has won more than 20 title fights and (if I am not mistaken) his opponent was on the canvas when Roy lost the only one.

Roy is a better athlete than any fighter that has come before him. Roy is a master of his craft. Roy is tactically on a par with Ali! Roy took a step last night that showed his bravery.

Roy is easily one of the best fighters of all time. We will just have to wait until Roy becomes history for the world to allow him unilateral respect for his ability and accomplishments.