How Did Roy Look?

[Dr.Depravity]

Really its no small feat, I mean 18 years boxing pro and at 37 years of age still able to win a title. Impressive.

[Super_Lightweight]

It was funny at the end of the fight, when Roy said, "And if anybody wants my title they can come and get it." HAH. I'm ure Roy was joking in light of the fact that it's only a NABO belt, and he had this sarcastic kind of look on his face when he said it.

Good stuff.

[Njord777]

Prince Badi Ajamu is a fringe contender. The IBO ranks him 16th, while the WBC ranks him 5th. The WBA doesn't have him anywhere in the top 15, the IBF nowhere in the top 10. Let it be said that Badi Ajamu only went after Roy Jones, Jr. convincingly in one round- the first- and he seemed to be effective when he did so. The commentators were saying, "We've seen Roy play possum against the ropes..but..oh boy..this sure doesn't look like that...he might be in trouble here". How can you look impressive against someone who does nothing? Ajamu pretty much gave up at a point. He couldn't figure Jones out, because Roy is of a higher caliber, and started just hitting low blows- almost getting disqualifed. In total, three points were deducted because of his inability to do anything productive after the 1st and going South of the border.

So, did Roy look good? Yes, he looked better than he does when a legitamate threat is across the ring from him but- whatever you say about Ajamu- you can't say he was at threat. Not to Roy. Not tonight. Jones showed some speed. He showed some flashes of the old man...but was more like a flickering flashlight. A combo here, a good shot there- sure he pot shotted and landed at will- but....really...I think the old Roy Jones, Jr. could have finished Badi Ajamu, whose offense simply stunk tonight, without even trying. This man should have been on his back...and Roy never pressed that.

One thing I can say is Roy's body looked good, despite some fears around the board before hand, and his conditioning seemed solid. No problems with fatigue. Also, as I said, Roy had some offensive moments where he looked good...but mostly he relied on a formula that helped him glide to an easy victory by pot-shotting. He still has some speed, but I doubt there is quite enough left to take him back to the top.

Roy looked scared to me in the 1st when Badi bulldozed into him after the opening bell. He still has some mental fear after being visciously knocked out two fights in a row...and almost again in his last fight with Tarver. I think, in his mind, Roy will never be back to 'Mr. Unknockoutable' status and that will do quite a bit of harm for his fighting style.

Would I suggest Roy fight Tarver again? No. No. No. Roy should fight some lower ranked fighters, have a better test, before taking on any highly regarded Light heavyweights. Like I said, he looked pretty good- not great- against a fringe contender. For me to suggest Roy take on Taver, or Johnson, or Calzaghe- or Hopkins for Christ sake- he would have needed to do better than 'pretty good' against someone like Prince Badi Ajamu. A knock out. Some serious damage. A drumming...a clinic....

Roy is back in the sense that he can still step into a ring without looking like a complete ass, he can compete, but I'm not convinced in any means that he can fight at a high level anymore. Next for Jones should be maybe a Paul Briggs or a Rico Hoye...another test for him, this time against someone a bit better than Ajamu, to see if its safe or worth the risk of embarassment for Roy Jones, Jr. to be hyped up again and take on someone worth mentioning.

[the_truth_1984]

Now I wish I would have gotten the ppv.This may not be a huge win but it's a step in the right direction.I doubt he can beat the elite at 175 at this point.IMO he would have beaten both Johnson and Tarver easily in his prime but at this point he doesn't have enough left to beat any of the top fighters at lhw.Still he can beat a few fringe contenders and have some fun and then call it a day.Why not a move up to cruiserweight in the future.As bad as Vassily Jirov looked in the last couple of fights I've seen him win why not fight him.It would be a good win for either.

[Dr.Depravity]

Basically the NABO orginization from what I understand pushed this fight to Jones. I mean the Prince isnt going to bring any big money title defenses.
For three consecutive losses a good come back fight for Roy. No fighter would come back after three losses and challenge a top contender.

[Super_Lightweight]

Roy's conditioning was not as good as in past fights, and it never will be due to age and losing the muscle. That kind of effect stays with you. But, Roy gets credit for beating a guy he SHOULD beat if he is indeed still to be called a top 10 guy at 175. Ajamu could not take the wicked body shots.

[Njord777]

Roy's conditioning was not as good as in past fights, and it never will be due to age and losing the muscle. That kind of effect stays with you. But, Roy gets credit for beating a guy he SHOULD beat if he is indeed still to be called a top 10 guy at 175. Ajamu could not take the wicked body shots.

Honestly, maybe I'm wrong but his conditoning seemed fine to me. I attriubte it to Ajamu not making him work too hard to find him...but...when the camera was on him he didn't seem fatigued or to be wearing down quickly. Suppose it's just opinion, though.

[Super_Lightweight]

You can tell Roy's conditioning is not the same, and here's how: In the past, Roy would have been moving on his feet a lot more. Plus, in the past Roy averaged more punches. Sure, this seemed like a typical Roy fight...but closer to his prime Roy would have teed off more on this guy...and in the past his combos had more punches...

Basically he does not have the energy to be perpetual motion like he USED to be, and he does not have the conditioning that he had late in his lightheavy days (2003) to make up for his lack fo footwork by putting power on his punches. His punches were ok, but they didn't have quite the pop of yesteryear.

I think his wind is pretty much as good as it could be though. He had trouble making weight so I'm sure next time he could be just a tad better with his diet and it'll make his conditioning better. He shoulda stopped this guy in all honesty.

(not that it was bad..good, not great)

[DLT]

Call me insane but I actually think Roy has a much better shot at beating Tarver then he does Johnson. Im telling you that Tarver will look exactly how Roy has looked. He wont look good for atleast a few fights and he will look as dead as he was against Hopkins