what had happened if RJJ had gained these fights

[THE REED]

Honestly, his style makes it tough to judge if he tires. In later rounds his counter-flurries seem to have less power (though tough to say as a viewer) and he tends to take longer between jumping in with a shot or a quick burst. Against lesser opponents this doesn't show because he was so talented he could walk over them. Against Hopkins it showed a bit though he saved some for a brilliant 10th round. In the later rounds, save for 10, he just didn't look as sharp.

Against Tarver, Johnson, and Calzaghe he did tire. For those fights he was ages 34-39. Against Joe he was just too old. Against Tarver and Johnson... well, maybe it was the pressure and maybe it was the weight and age. Tough to say since no one, outside of Hopkins, pressured him at all before then.

Pressure would have been brought by Michalczewski, Calzaghe, and Hopkins because that's how they fought. I don't think he would have beat all three but I would certainly not have bet against RJJ though. He was a great fighter in his prime when he felt like fighting*.

They would have been great fights.

*See first Griffin fight for him not feeling like fighting.

And to add... it was his 22nd pro fight against Hopkins...

At SMW, at his peak IMO.. the way he performed it is hard to see him tiring against anyone... it's really a moot point being it is unproveable.

All I will say is... your only examples are a 22nd pro fight... and his 51st++++ fight... at the age of 34-40, after dropping 20 lbs from HW...


So I would say using those as examples of how he would do in the dead of his prime, at 168lbs, do not hold too much water.

Good debate, though.

[LEFTYGUNZZ]

Roy in his prime was damn near invincible, I'm pretty sure his speed, power, and athleticism would've beaten these guys. He would've had a tough night with calz and B-hop tho but, I can't see either beating a prime Roy. Nunn has a glass jaw, Benn was a 1 dimensional power puncher(don't forget he lost to Thulani Malinga, a guy Roy whitewashed).

I don't think in all the years listed next to the fights for Roy that you could have considered him in his prime. But non the less I woul dhave given him a chance to outbox anyone on that list. I think he would have beaten Cals at that time 2001.....Lefty

[nachorjj]

I think roy can beat all this fighters with out problems