One view of Roy Jones...

[Vladimir303]

One thing to consider, though... RJ was boxing at a very high level as an amateur from at least when he won the National JO's in 1984 (at 119 pounds) all the way until he fought Antonio in 2004. Thats a SOLID 20 years of non-stop training, sparring, running, pressure,etc etc. Antonio didnt even make it big in the amateurs until 1994 or 1995 after Roy had quite afew pro fights and was inhis prime... then Ant went pro in 1997... when Roy was already a pro for EIGHT full years. So they were the same age only in actuality, not in boxing terms.

While you do make a great point it still sounds like an excuse to me. You could only use that explanation with guys like barrera or Morales who have been in actual wars and blood and guts battles. You add the training, sparring, running, pressure as you said and they're used up and washed up in their early 30's ready to retire. Roy on the other hand hasn't been in any wars in that ring. He only had a few difficult fights and even then he didn't get beat up. He was basically a dominant fighter prior to meeting tarver in that ring so all the stuff you listed can't be used. Besides it's not like tarver benefited from not fighting for as long as roy has. The guy was doing drugs during his amateur days for god sake. What kind of an advantage does a fighter have if he turns pro in his late 20's (besides the heavyweights) and gets his first title shot in his mid 30's like tarver did? I'm sorry Roy is great but he blew it vs tarver. You can't excuse that

[ICEMAN JOHN SCULLY]

Vlad... you have to understand the life of a fighter... number one the gym wars are much tougher overall down the stretch than the fights.... and wehter it is wars , tough figths or simple boxing exhibitions the fact is that RJ was involved in the sport of boxing throughout that time period on the highest levels in the ring and out while Antonio was not. Mentally that is a tough load, to stay sharp likethat for along time. It is not any type of excuse, it is an explanation, a reason

[Knicksman20]

Good read Ice & very honest. Alot of posters & other people have been hard on him since his fall from the top. I'm glad to see you put things in perspective when it comes to RJ. I look forward to getting your book as well.

[Vladimir303]

Vlad... you have to understand the life of a fighter... number one the gym wars are much tougher overall down the stretch than the fights.... and wehter it is wars , tough figths or simple boxing exhibitions the fact is that RJ was involved in the sport of boxing throughout that time period on the highest levels in the ring and out while Antonio was not. Mentally that is a tough load, to stay sharp likethat for along time. It is not any type of excuse, it is an explanation, a reason

It's not an explanation or a reason why he got his ass beat in that third fight. That's my only beef with roy. Been a fan of his even after he got knocked out twice but that third fight and the way he performed was disappointing. Tarver wasn't at his best either so it was an even fight. With two guys both looking tired you have to suck it up and win the most important fight of you career and he didn't even try. He was just happy to go 12 rounds with tarver and made excuses later on that he lost because of his father. That's bullshyte

One more thing: the reason roy lost against Glen johnson and Tarver in the third fight is not because he is sooooo past his prime that he can't compete on a high level anymore, it's because ROy got punch-shy.. After that embarissing KO against tarver he got shy to throw meaningful punches fearing he might get caught again. True story