Yep. Time to put up once and for all, knowing that this will be bumped if Roy is to lose, and convincingly, and we're going to get laughed at.
I'll be honest. I'm not convinced RJJ will win. I just think he has a much better chance than alot of people are giving him, and I myself was giving him initially. And I favour him to take it. And this is why-
1. Roy has said that the last 3 fights were for the purpose of preparing him for a huge fight like Calzaghe. At first, I wasn't convinced by that. But having revisted the Prince Badi, Hanshaw and Tito fights, it really makes alot of sense. I think he could have taken out all three fighters tbh, but didn't because it was like he wanted all the rounds to hone the fighter he has now become, especially in the Hanshaw and Tito fights. Three fights in which he could re-adjust mentally and physically after the Tarver-Johnson-Tarver run of fights.
I mean, I really wasn't positive about the way Roy was covering up and taking shots against the ropes, it reminded me too much of the Johnson fight. But I really think he can make this style work. Defensively, he is protecting his chin. I know shots are and can get through, but the gloves are taking their full power off them, as well as him leaning his head back. Of course, this is leaving his body exposed for attacks but I think Roy can take shots to the body really well, better than ones to the chin. And his countering off the ropes can be just terrific.
Stylistically, I have been hugley worried that Roy will lean against the ropes while Calzaghe wails away at him and takes round after round. But I really can see Roy peppering him with right hands. Bernard did, and it's something Calzaghe has always struggled with, right back to the Reid fight. Roy's handspeed is still fast as ****, and his accuracy is fantastic. During these 3 fights, it's like RJJ is happy to concede rounds so he can basically work on this new style. I still hope he doesn't do it as much as he done in the Tito and Hanshaw fights, but it's effective for him, defensively.
Btw guys, I know the opposition for 3 these fights were not stellar. But tricky enough for Roy to improve and refine himself. Essentially 3 tune up fights, yes, but ones which he has used valuably.
2. Roy has seen Bernard set the template to beat Calzaghe. Let him come to you and then counter, predominantly with the right. Of course where Bernard lost the fight (well, drew it in my eyes but I have no qualms with the decision) was the volume output. There just weren't enough. Now, Roy has also been somewhat economical in these 3 fights, but....he knows he's gonna have to throw more than 3 good punches per round, such is Calzaghe volume punching(even one who has been slowed down, as Bernard did to an extent). RJJ will be live to the fact that Calzaghe isn't defensively elusive and can be countered. I don't think he will let himself make the same mistake Bernard did.
3. Personally, I think skills wise, Roy is superior to Calzaghe. Even now, his punches have more pop, are straighter, his combinations crisper and more damaging, and his hands might even be faster too. I know Bernard is so ****ing elusive and tactically brilliant that he makes everyone look bad, but I thought one of the problems Calzaghe had with him was was facing someone with tremendous talent, an ATG. How many elite fighters has Calzaghe fought? Bernard and RJJ are two fighters who, IMHO, at their peak would have wiped the floor with Calzaghe. And even now, this sort of superior ability is apparent. Calzaghe has advantages over RJJ, but in terms of overall abiloty, Roy is more talented. Calzaghe has never faced fighters like Hops and RJJ. Bernard was the one who landed the cleaner and more effective punches and I think Roy will too.
4. Legacy. Roy has a massive ego and has just seen Bernard possibly overtaken after what he did to Pavlik. Beating Calzaghe would be a huge statement by Roy. This is redemption for Tarver and for Johnson. This is the fight of Roy's life. And yet....all the pressure is on Calzaghe. If he loses, all those doubts everyone has about him will be chrysalised. Roy will be going into this fight with much less pressure, even though, as I have said, his legacy could be massively affected by this fight too.
5. How much can Calzaghe realistically hurt Jones? I know Jones' chin isn't great, but Calzaghe hasn't shown serious power for a long time. I know he said he's gonna stop with the pitty pat bull****, but he said pre-Hopkins that he was gonna sit down on his punches, and he didn't. Roy has a vulnerable chin, but how much does he have to fear from someone moving up in weight who can't crack anymore?
This is without a shadow of a doubt a dimished ROy Jones Jr from his prime era. And maybe I am thinking with my heart a little too much. But I think he can do it.
War, Roy. War.
Signed, Keyser Soze.
EDITED TO LIST ALL THE PEOPLE WHO THINK RJJ IS GOING TO WIN- KEEP THEM COMING-
Pretty Boy1
RIZO
Hishaam15
TRUTH
Keyser Soze
MaTTuP
Kivian
The Gully Gad
The Scientist
djsygo
Kball15
boxa__ali
xzworks
vladimir303
chicano79us
Two Clips
Haglerwins
HTownTexan
TheGR8TESTOAT
NoFear24
El Dominicano
Kessler
mrlopez
mangler
Chups
kswizzy99
ericsantos
VERSATILE2K9
Welter_Skelter
817boy
SkilledBoxer
xxjace
DA1CATAS
ree****yalus
Shadow boxer 3
Queensdawg
ardistic
Jone2ts
MWMerlino
peleroy
lee majors
Macho Madness
McAlister
RAJA_SAAB
Mellow Mood
bluehefner
Eaner0919
larryx
checkmania
robjr
Chunk
SekondzOut
Bernard Hopkins
Lennox Lewis
Jeff Lacy (!)
Glen Johnson
Vernon Forrest
Winky Wright
Ray Ray
Sweet Pea 50
mt102879
Sox8055
Spiegelo
rambov
nickphilli
Brandish
roundingace
TheWire
KingArthur
Stepwome
VirusTI
Boxer12
rocki1
Uchi Deshi
luckylefty731
The Texican
mrlopez
Texas Made
southpaw_07
ippo
badboypeenoy
bearman3000
GreyAlien
el guason456
oaklandstephen
NeXt In Line
Ace R.
toyboy33
Nate Campbell
kING T
Mrvooh
KJB
LRcie03
flipside
xxjace
JACK BURTON
El Dominicano (!)
glasgo
Stimpy
Lights0ut
Killa Cam____
Wess
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