One day, you wake up and you're old. It's not a slow progression. It's an overnight phenomenon. And after a single right hand to the temple, it's all over.

Let me start by telling the world two things: 1) Roy Jones, Jr. is my favorite fighter of all time, bar none, and 2) the Jones-Ruiz fight is what gave me the motivation to launch InsideFighting. With that said…

Roy, it’s time for you to walk away from the sport. Tonight, a B-level prizefighter knocked out the greatest boxer of this generation in brutal fashion. He didn’t stop him with a TKO. He didn’t knock him down and have Roy struggle to beat the count. No. Glengoffe Johnson, the IBF champion, knocked Roy Jones, Jr. the f*ck out tonight.

Watching Jones get knocked out made me afraid for the first time since Nigel Benn knocked out Gerald McClellan as Jones stayed motionless on the canvas with his eyes closed for several minutes after the fateful blow. In all honesty, I feared for Roy Jones' health. Watching him on the canvas motionless was the saddest moment of my career in the fight business.

From the opening bell, Glen was all over Roy. He came out pressuring Jones with volume punching just like the entire world predicted, but Jones simply had no answer. Roy Jones responded to the pressure by backing up into the ropes, covering up and eating punches. At the time of the stoppage, I had Jones down 7-2, and that was a GENEROUS score. In reality, he was probably down 8-1. For whatever reason, Roy simply refused to fight back in the face of unyielding pressure by the champion.

It’s not secret that a boxer walks a fine line after a brutal knockout. You never know how he will react in his next fight. Teddy Atlas said it best when he said that many fighters get gun shy after a knockout as they keep waiting for that big punch to land. Great fighters don’t become gun shy. Roy Jones did. Does that ruin his legacy? Thirty minutes after the most shocking knockout in the last 20 years I simply cannot answer that question.
Nevertheless, boxing is no longer a sport to the great Jones, Jr. It’s a job. When the sport becomes a job, it’s time to walk away. Five years ago, Jones would have toyed with Glen Johnson for a few rounds before stopping him. Today, Johnson came out and treated Roy like a sparring partner and beat the hell out of him from the opening bell. It was not the changing of the guard, because Glen Johnson has no chance against Antonio Tarver. It was the end of an era.

Roy Jones, Jr. is done as an elite level boxer. If he decides to fight Tarver or any aggressive heavyweight alive (no, John Ruiz would get beat to death again), he will get knocked out again. Can he beat Bernard Hopkins? Hell, I’m not sure. The passive Roy who refused to fight can’t beat Erik Morales. The aggressive Roy who fought Tarver in the first round beats Hopkins, Johnson or anyone else not named Tarver. But I honestly don't ever want to find out if that Roy exists anymore.

This is not the time to clown or criticize Jones. This is a time to remember a great champion who fought a few fights too many. It happened to Muhammad Ali. It happened to Sugar Ray Robinson. It happened to Harry Greb. It happened to Benny Leonard. And it happened to Roy Jones, Jr.

Tonight, we saw the end of an era. We saw the end of the greatest boxer of the last 40 years. Let’s celebrate his great career, rather than focusing on his recent fall.

However, Roy Jones, Jr. should never walk into a boxing ring again. Alton Merkerson, Roy Jones, Sr. and Derek Gainer if you love Roy, please tell him to stop.
http://insidefighting.com/betweenRoundsDisp.aspx?uid=937

Great acticle.

yup time to hang em up

He's always depended on his reflexes and now he doesn't have them. He's just a sitting duck for guys now

It all had to end sometime. I hope for his health he decides to retire.

yes...this is truely a sad time...a long time great of the past generation or two finally gone...i think? who else is there really? that has stayed in the spotlight this long?...i wonder how people he beat Toney, Hopkins feel now? are they actually talking ****?...or is there an actual comradery between these boxers even though they talk **** against one another in and out of the ring?

Crap apologist article...Roy could have beaten this guy but he CANNOT stop playing the character of "RJJ", he could have just tried to gut out in orthodox fashion an ugly sweaty decision but he fearfully fled back to what is familiar thus comforting, the whole "RJJ" schtick because he had NO confidence. Johnson was NOT interested in watching the "RJJ" show's magic tricks; he was here to clean out the basement,the attic, the backyard and take out the trash. Jones is fine physically...his will is broken. What this author is doing is making "RJJ" an icon assailable ONLY by G-d that's horse**** and self-serving to say the least....Roy gave up and let himself be KO'd. The end.

sort of members of the wizards basketball team wanted Michael Jordan off the team even though he was the greatest ever...

I was also afraid for the guy's health. He wasn't moving and his eyes we're just closed. I didn't even know if he was breathing. It was a sad moment to see ine the words of Merchant, "death of a king".

I don't think Roy Jones' age is the biggest factor. For me, he just had no hunger left in him whatsoever. Nothing left to be driven by. Jones is genetically a great athlete. I doubt he can get old THAT quick.

I mean the guy has had it all. Money, fame, glory, recognition, respect. When you reach the sumit of your career, what is there left to fight for? Even if he calls it quits here, he can leave the sport knowing that his career was complete. He strived to be the best, well he did. For a decent period of time I might add. And even if he did want to continue, maybe just maybe he can find a way to fend off the preasure of his opponents and maybe this experience will humble him even more. He believes more than anybody here that the Tarver punch was a lucky one. He didn't learn his lesson. But the chances for him getting up and fighting again are sli. Because like I said......what for?

roy has gotten old IMO. he depended on his speed and reflexes and both have left him.he has nothing left but the money and the accomplishments and it is time for him to move on. he was the best boxer of this generation bar none. no one compares to him and it will be tough to see him go.

Roy choked and then gave up.........

I might actually feel sorry for the guy if he wasn't such a jerk.

I feel bad for Roy.

This certainly answers any question about fight of the year.

Wow!

you made this fight ,fight of the year????

untill tito - mayorga my opinions are reserved..

also i aint seen it yet lol

to hear what has happened to my favorite fighter makes me want to ****ing cry. if it was as bad as you all are saying then i hope for his sake that he does go ahead and stop, he does'nt need to get hurt or tarnish anymore of his amazing career.

damn, im sad as hell.

I feel bad for Roy.

This certainly answers any question about fight of the year.

Wow!

I am not sure about the fight of the year credentials- to me this looked like a one sided beating that ended with the guy on the short end being knocked out. All in all it was fairly one sided.

I am not sure about the fight of the year credentials- to me this looked like a one sided beating that ended with the guy on the short end being knocked out. All in all it was fairly one sided.

two judges only had Johnson up by 2 -points and the other by 3. i didn't see the fight but that seems like a pretty close fight.

two judges only had Johnson up by 2 -points and the other by 3. i didn't see the fight but that seems like a pretty close fight.

It wasn't really...Jones just barely did anything. I couldn't understadn it. Okay first 3 rounds it's fine. But when it got to round 6, I wasliek wtf is he doing?!?

The fight was great! Nonstop action. both guys were landing lots of shots. Johnson was throwing furiously. Jones was more measured with his shots, but he was scoring with lots of powerful, clean body shots, as well as head shots s the fight progressed.

It was very disappointed to see Roy go down like that. He clearly was not the old Roy in terms of speed and movement. He needs to forget tarver.

Honestly, I don't think Jone's optimum weight is lightheavy. He could move down to Supermiddle and continue a successful career for several more years.

I also feel fairly certain he could still defeat BH. Maybe that should be his last big bout. I think he would win and then retire on an impressive win.

two judges only had Johnson up by 2 -points and the other by 3. i didn't see the fight but that seems like a pretty close fight.

It was a pro-RJ crowd, big time. Even when he was wobbled in the 5th round the crowd was chanting "Roy, Roy!". Lampley even said at the end that the scoring was too generous for RJ. Can't remember what the lederman card was, but it was more than a 3 point lead for Johnson I think.

I only gave RJ the 3rd round.

Nard would kill Roy now...perhaps literally.

in response to the great1. the judges thought it was close, but hell i didnt. i saw it 7-1 going into the ninth for johnson, judges were way off. as soon as the bell rang johnson ran at roy and threw everything, i dun kno y jones expected him to get tired, i mean 8/9 losses have been by decision. johnson jus kept doin his ting with no response from roy. it was either gona be an ez decision or a stoppage, i didnt expect him to get knocked out tho. but roy amazing career, first man in over how many years to go up from middleweight to HW and get a title, and move back down. but roy, your time is up. he will be known as the best pound for pound in his prime

roy jones was never that great. he fought b&c class fighters his whole career. he did have a few good fights with some b+ fighters but i am actually trying to think of a real class a fighter. james toney in 95? motell griffen? virgil hill? um.....i have a hard time seeing jones as a historical great. old? roy jones is old? the man is 35. the same age as the man that beat the doo-doo out of him last night. 4 years younger than b-hop. if i were jones i would run as fast as i could from a fight with the older more dangerous hopkins.

Nard would kill Roy now...perhaps literally.


No chance. When was the last time Hopokins fought a guy as big and strong as himself? Nar is a coward. He wouldn't show the guts to move up to Super middle to fight Roy. Roy will have to come down to middle. Even then Nard will find some way to puss out.

same here, I had Roy Jones winning round three where he had two to three flurries and I thought to myself ..."phew he'll make it out of this fight in decent fashion." after that round? I said to myself what the **** is he doing? He must have thrown 30 punches in the next 5 rounds. I heard his corner say okay you've had your breather rounds let's get going and still nothing...he was totally out of it...

It wasn't really...Jones just barely did anything. I couldn't understadn it. Okay first 3 rounds it's fine. But when it got to round 6, I wasliek wtf is he doing?!?

Well being a coward is something no one will ever remember in the future. Hopkins managed his career "his way" Had Jones immediately retired after the Tarver fight, 10-15 years from now he would have been viewed as THE Greatest....

roy jones was never that great. he fought b&c class fighters his whole career. he did have a few good fights with some b+ fighters but i am actually trying to think of a real class a fighter. james toney in 95? motell griffen? virgil hill? um.....i have a hard time seeing jones as a historical great. old? roy jones is old? the man is 35. the same age as the man that beat the doo-doo out of him last night. 4 years younger than b-hop. if i were jones i would run as fast as i could from a fight with the older more dangerous hopkins.
well...the main factor is that Glencoffe was a real hungry and really humble fighter. I loved what he said in the end of the fight "I am not the best, I am just the man who wants to fight the best." Roy Jones has already been demoralized and I am guessing the four months was not enough and who knows how long enough could have should have been. You can even tell in his face in Tarver II. He looked as if he wasn't sure if he was going to win or not. His body was dry as hell as well...I am really interested to see what he says about this fight...

Well being a coward is something no one will ever remember in the future. Hopkins managed his career "his way" Had Jones immediately retired after the Tarver fight, 10-15 years from now he would have been viewed as THE Greatest....
I wouldn't say the greatest. The greatest usually end their careers in good fashion...getting knocked the **** out in the last two fights puts one hell of a dent in your history...

I'm still in shock. I could not believe how he got ktfo...when he hit the canvas he was OUT. I though that he was going to die...Then he was so in shock that he didn't want to stand up. I though that Roy was going to this fight focused and show that Tarver's KO was a lucky punch, but then he started to do the RJJ show and start smiling when he was hit and taken to the corner by Johnson, the HBO crew didn't knew what to say...ppl say that he's old... please he fought a fighter that is his same age and didn't look as fit as RJJ. Well Roy is time to go...I think that now the path is clear for B-Hop to fight the winner of Tito-Mayo. :cool:

Did Roy comment after the fight? I also read that the only reason why Roy didn't try to get up immediately after the fight was over was that he wanted to make sure he could actually stand up. He didn't want to look like Griffin in their second meeting..

Did Roy comment after the fight? I also read that the only reason why Roy didn't try to get up immediately after the fight was over was that he wanted to make sure he could actually stand up. He didn't want to look like Griffin in their second meeting..
No, Roy didn't comment after the fight. Merchant talked to his trainer, but I really don't think RJ could have commented if he wanted to. He was laid out cold and I thought he'd have to be carried out on a stretcher. I was surprised he got up at all.

What did his trainer say?

What did his trainer say?
He said that RJ "always said he'd get out of the game when it seemed like work" and that RJ treats boxing like work now. He didn't say that RJ was going to retire, but that he gets hit more than he used to and him and RJ will have to talk.

Superman is dead, so it's time for Roy to rest his gloves...

Though I don't like his fighting style, think he's really one of the best pound for pound.

Roy should fight someone he can beat. then, he should hang them up. You don't wnat him to end his carrer by two KO losses.

enough is enough, ko two times in a row, time to retire before he get's seriously injured.

Tarver and Johnson were "someone he can beat" but he still didnt beat them. if he keeps searching for that fight he could end up finishing his career wit 5 KO losses in a row.

Rjj Has Done Enough For Boxing That If He Wants To Fight Again He Can Or He Can Go Out As He Did On His A$$.

I'm not a fan of Roy Jones Jr. but I take nothing away from him. He's a multi division titlist, considered the best P4P boxer in the world (though I STONGLY disagree), and although he didn't fight the best of the best all the time, his fights were entertaining. Plus, he's about due for retirement anyway. 15 years and some change. Look at Holyfield, Holmes, Leonard, Ali, Frazier, Louis and do the right thing. So long Roy. Thanks for the memories.

Roy wasn't "out cold" that long. For a long while he was laid there as a precaution. All the tests after the fight showed he was ok. That doesn't mean he should fight again, I'm jus setting the record straight. Check the press release from AP or ********* if they still have it.

Anyone who says Roy's legacy is tarnished by these losses is a moron, plain and simple...not even Bert Sugar said that, and I talked to him personally about it.

Anyone who says Roy's legacy


Which part of the legacy are you talking about?

The part where he ducked Nigel Benn FOR YEARS and didn't face a single opponent his level for a decade?

Or the part where he got punked twice in early rounds by non-great fighters? No great fighters went out like Roy did, get punked with two back to back pre-rd-6 ko's and quit like a lil hoe before the age of 35.

I remember when everyone thought Roy was hard after the Clinton Woods fight, Woods is a ****ty fighter from a ****ty circuit, people that think Jones had a legacy comparable to hagler or any other great needs to pull their heads outta their asses, (this means YOU) his win over McCallum meant nothing

You can tell Roy knows he isn't great when he gets in front of the camera. He has massive amounts of self doubt..

however I do think roy has a nice ring knowledge and is a good commentator

lmao DUMBASSES if u seen the jones tarver 3 fight

u would kno he's still too fast , too quick ,too everythin

4 tarver.....he wuz jus worried about gettin knocked out

all u had 2 see is the 5th round 2 kno he still has the goods

wait and see DUMBASSES....


ppl who abandon and question when sum1 goes down r jus sad lil ppl

real fans wait 4 them 2 pick themselves back up and fight on

which he did and that makes him a true CHAMP

kno ur **** b4 u criticize 1 of the best fighters 2 eva live

im gonna laugh at u dumbasses when he defeats tarve in #4

#3 wuz a tune up fight....and any1 willin 2 take a tune up fight

against sum1 who knocked them out is truly a CHAMP

lmao DUMBASSES if u seen the jones tarver 3 fight

u would kno he's still too fast , too quick ,too everythin

4 tarver.....he wuz jus worried about gettin knocked out

all u had 2 see is the 5th round 2 kno he still has the goods

wait and see DUMBASSES....


ppl who abandon and question when sum1 goes down r jus sad lil ppl

real fans wait 4 them 2 pick themselves back up and fight on

which he did and that makes him a true CHAMP

kno ur **** b4 u criticize 1 of the best fighters 2 eva live

im gonna laugh at u dumbasses when he defeats tarve in #4

#3 wuz a tune up fight....and any1 willin 2 take a tune up fight

against sum1 who knocked them out is truly a CHAMP
are you retarded? seriously, i am concerned.

roy should get comfortable like george forman at ringside with larry merchant lol