Did Roy Jones start losing at LHW when his competition stepped up?

[IMDAZED]

James "Buddy" McGirt once pointed out that while everyone ooh'ed and ahh'ed at Jones' blinding hand speed, the punches being thrown were actually well designed moves that had been honed in the gym. At 35 and 50 fights in, everyone had watched Jones' playbook many times over. And he had slowed enough to where they could implement their own gameplan.

[THE REED]

James "Buddy" McGirt once pointed out that while everyone ooh'ed and ahh'ed at Jones' blinding hand speed, the punches being thrown were actually well designed moves that had been honed in the gym. At 35 and 50 fights in, everyone had watched Jones' playbook many times over. And he had slowed enough to where they could implement their own gameplan.

Floyd is getting to that point as well, the bag of tricks has been dumped out at this point.

Weve seen it all.

[therealpugilist]

Thanks for your contribution therealpugilist.

I agree that Jones was gunshy and low on confidence when he faced Jones. However, I feel that people don't give Glen the credit he deserves for a great performance that night. He jumped on Jones from the first bell, and didn't give him time to settle. When he gave Jones time and space, Roy demonstrated he still had his hand speed, combinations and foot speed. At that point, Roy had been at LHW for over 18 months, I think he had plenty of time to become accustomed to making 175. Indeed he was 35, but he was an elite athlete with the most expensive nutritionists and personal trainers advising him.

Are you still wrestling today?

nope never did in college

[IMDAZED]

Floyd is getting to that point as well, the bag of tricks has been dumped out at this point.

Weve seen it all.

Yessir. And opponents keep adding little tidbits from previous strategies that had a modicum of success, while implementing their own. Mayweather won a wide decision Saturday night against a game, experienced champion but his somber mood and talk of "there's nothing else out there" had a lot to do with how he felt on Saturday night and the realization that his body is beginning to cave.

[THE REED]

Yessir. And opponents keep adding little tidbits from previous strategies that had a modicum of success, while implementing their own. Mayweather won a wide decision Saturday night against a game, experienced champion but his somber mood and talk of " there's nothing else out there" had a lot to do with how he felt on Saturday night and the realization that his body is beginning to cave.

He saw them coming in, but that reflexive pull back and shoot to hit wasnt as efficient as he was used to it being...

[IronDanHamza]

Yessir. And opponents keep adding little tidbits from previous strategies that had a modicum of success, while implementing their own. Mayweather won a wide decision Saturday night against a game, experienced champion but his somber mood and talk of "there's nothing else out there" had a lot to do with how he felt on Saturday night and the realization that his body is beginning to cave.

I think he realises it's time for that final fight with Pacquaio before he heads off into the sunset.

Atleast I hope.

If these two keep fighting people other than each other, one of them, or possibly both of them will lose.

[SergioMaravilla]

James "Buddy" McGirt once pointed out that while everyone ooh'ed and ahh'ed at Jones' blinding hand speed, the punches being thrown were actually well designed moves that had been honed in the gym. At 35 and 50 fights in, everyone had watched Jones' playbook many times over. And he had slowed enough to where they could implement their own gameplan.

That's a fantastic point IMDAZED, when Jones was fighting lower opposition they simply did not have the ability or tools to deal with the moves Jones used. When he fought higher quality opposition, that felt they could beat him (Tarver, Johnson, Calzaghe) it seems Roy's offence was not as efficient, and they found holes in his defence. It would have been great for Roy's legacy if he travelled to Germany and beat Darius Michaelczewski when he was the lineal LHW champion.

[IMDAZED]

He saw them coming in, but that reflexive pull back and shoot to hit wasnt as efficient as he was used to it being...

Yessir: The Sequel. Him giving that "you got me" nod after a stiff Cotto jab in round six said a lot. He saw it. Didn't even move. The sport is a game of inches. And they wonder why a fighter like Jones can go from being "Mr. Unknockoutable" to "goddamn, I wish this muther****er would just retire!"

[IMDAZED]

That's a fantastic point IMDAZED, when Jones was fighting lower opposition they simply did not have the ability or tools to deal with the moves Jones used. When he fought higher quality opposition, that felt they could beat him (Tarver, Johnson, Calzaghe) it seems Roy's offence was not as efficient, and they found holes in his defence. It would have been great for Roy's legacy if he travelled to Germany and beat Darius Michaelczewski when he was the lineal LHW champion.

Yes, lower opposition like James Toney.

[PeacefulFury]

I have to disagree with that statement. After his loss to Tarver, Roy's attitude changed. However, in his prime, there were several fights the public wanted, that Roy didn't make. Like against Eubank, Benn, Michaelczewski, Collins, Nunn, Mclellan, a rematch with Hopkins.

At the time Roy was in his prime, HBO even called him 'Reluctant Roy'

1) Michaelczwski did claim Roy was ducking him. Except for the fact that Roy Jones Jr told him that he would fight him ANYWHERE BUT GERMANY. Roy had been robbed of Gold in the Olympics, so hey, that's what he wants. Why would anyone want to fight in Germany especially after the Reid vs Ottke debacle?

and don't forget...Roy was the CHAMPION. Who is he to tell Roy we fight in Germany or we don't fight at all....

2) Eubanks?? When Roy moved up to 168, Eubanks had suffered TWO losses to Steve Collins... there was no demand for this fight.

3) Nunn?? Once again, by the time Roy moved up to Super Middleweight, Nunn suffered a few losses. And on top of this, Jones fought a man who beat Nunn in James Toney around that time.

4) Hopkins... Roy already beat Hopkins decisively in Hopkins prime. Roy won the fight 10 rounds to 2, those 2 rounds going to Hopkins in the 11th and 12th round only because Roy began to coast and rest a little bit at the end. Not sure why you are claiming this is "ducking" when Roy already dismantled him.

I'll give you Collins.

I'm afraid I don't rank Jones nearly as highly as you do, there are too many holes in his record. I didn't realise until someone pointed it out to me that Roy Jones never beat a single lineal, unified or undisputed champion in his whole career.

and how is this Roy's fault?