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

[robertzimmerman]

I remember Roy's father saying he wasn't going to allow Roy to take that fight, and saying something like, "You don't run a ferrari up against a Mack Truck."

Yeah, it was big Roy. He said Volkswagen instead of a Ferrari. It was said in 1998 though, in regards to Roy signing to fight James "Buster" Douglas.

[paulf]

Because he wasnt a fuckin' ******. At least at the time.

[robertzimmerman]

Holyfield or Chris Byrd would have beat him, Lennox would have possibly literally killed him.

I'd definitely have fancied Roy over Evander back in 2003.

A Byrd fight would have been very difficult, and very lacklustre. I think it would have sent the fans to sleep.

[robertzimmerman]

He fought Ruiz because Ruiz was slow as molasses and had no intention of making a career at HW. Sums it up.

He was never going to stay at HW for a prolonged period, but I think he'd have taken on Evander and Mike had they been viable.

[Derranged]

I remember Roy indicated that Lewis was avoiding him. He said something to the effect "I was talkin about a fight with Lewis and he retired a week later". Yea right, Roy.

[robertzimmerman]

I remember Roy indicated that Lewis was avoiding him. He said something to the effect "I was talkin about a fight with Lewis and he retired a week later". Yea right, Roy.

No. Roy's team had spoken to Lennox's team, and Roy was told that Lennox hadn't made a decision on whether he was going to retire or not. That was after the Vitali fight and just prior to Roy's fight with Tarver. There was no implication of a duck.

[torosboxing75]

Roy would've lost that fight by parkinson.

[Derranged]

No. Roy's team had spoken to Lennox's team, and Roy was told that Lennox hadn't made a decision on whether he was going to retire or not. That was after the Vitali fight and just prior to Roy's fight with Tarver. There was no implication of a duck.

Twas the way Roy said it but then again it was a while ago, so who knows..

[juggernaut666]

No. Roy's team had spoken to Lennox's team, and Roy was told that Lennox hadn't made a decision on whether he was going to retire or not. That was after the Vitali fight and just prior to Roy's fight with Tarver. There was no implication of a duck.

If Lewis took the Jones fight and not the Vitali rematch he would look like two things .....a chicken and a coward . If hetook the Jones fight anyway he would have no excuse not to give Vitali the rematch he promised over a 5'11 180 pound Jones ,he would be ridiculed to this day ,which is why he persued a Tyson second fight and when Tyson declined he then announced retiring . Really the Jones fight didnt happen bc of Vitali who was knocking on Lewiss door for that rematch ,thats the only duck here which robbed the fans not the fighters .

[robertzimmerman]

If Lewis took the Jones fight and not the Vitali rematch he would look like two things .....a chicken and a coward . If hetook the Jones fight anyway he would have no excuse not to give Vitali the rematch he promised over a 5'11 180 pound Jones ,he would be ridiculed to this day ,which is why he persued a Tyson second fight and when Tyson declined he then announced retiring . Really the Jones fight didnt happen bc of Vitali who was knocking on Lewiss door for that rematch ,thats the only duck here which robbed the fans not the fighters .

Yeah, as you know, Lennox gave a few interviews prior to his fight with Vitali, where he was speaking of potentially fighting another 2-3 times. In my opinion, he never thought Vitali would have caused him so much trouble. I think had he have beaten Vitali comfortably, he'd definitely have prolonged his career. His whole demeanour changed after Vitali, although he says it was his mother who pleaded with him to retire. Who knows? But under different circumstances, I think he'd have pushed for the fight against Roy.