Why exactly did Roy Jones Jr not fight Lennox Lewis after defeating Ruiz?

[PurePugilist216]

After failed negotiations with a potential fight with Evander Holyfield fell through for $25 Million, he moved on to Mike Tyson for a fight for $50 Million. When that fight failed to materialize, he then moved on to Lennox Lewis for a proposed bout of a $100 Million. When those talks also failed, his promoter at the time Murad Muhammad was trying to secure him a bout with the South African South Paw Heavyweight; The late Corrie Sanders for substantially less money. Even less than what he earned for the John Ruiz fight. Since the reward was not worth the risk, He subsequently abandoned the Heavyweight division altogether, to go back down and compete at his natural and most comfortable weight class of 175 lbs to challenge Antonio Tarver for the WBC title belt, he had previously relinquished, in order to challenge Ruiz' for his WBA Heavyweight title belt.

Nice informative post man

[PrinceNaz88]

If Jones had fought Lewis he certainly would not be fighting now.

[Luilun]

This fight actually almost happened. Does anyone know why it didn't? At the time, Roy was just coming off a nice win against Ruiz and looked great and fighting Lewis was the next big fight. But instead he moved back down. Why?

He would have been knock out that's why

[Daddy T]

This fight actually almost happened. Does anyone know why it didn't? At the time, Roy was just coming off a nice win against Ruiz and looked great and fighting Lewis was the next big fight. But instead he moved back down. Why?

it din't 'actually almost happen' Roy never had any legit intention of fighting Lewis sure the fight was talked about by others but roy knew his limits

[IronDanHamza]

Roy Jones went to Heavyweight to fight Evander Holyfield. That was his priority but the fight couldn't get made.

After Ruiz beat Holyfield, Roy Jones fought Ruiz.

The only other fight that he wanted at HW was against Mike Tyson, but, that fight couldn't get made either.

So, he then turned his priority to equaling Bob Fitzsimmons record of winning a Title at LHW, going to HW and winning a title then reclaming his title at LHW.

So, that's what he did.

[Gojira]

Because he wanted to go and get knocked out several times in a row instead of just one, single defining KO loss...

[RiC-DiC]

he was too small to **** with Lennox. Period.

[DLT]

cause Lewis was big and had skills and could punch like a mofo.

in the case of the ginger vs Floyd, all the ginger has is size... he's not as skilled, nor is he a tremendous puncher. the ginger is easy pickings for Floyd

Um, you underrate Canelo severly, espically his power

[LacedUp]

I see where this thread is going.

Floyd is not Roy, and Canelo most certainly isn't Lennox!

[M4RK]

Geez both Tyson and Lennox would've killed Roy. I mean if Tarver and Johnson could ko roy imagine a lewis straight or tyson uppercut.