Roy Jones Jr Highlights – Champion & Olympic Medallist
Throughout his professional career that lasted for nearly three decades, Roy Jones Jr. has accomplished everything. Under his belt, the American superstar holds multiple records that will be tough to beat anytime soon. His extravagant behaviour has helped him achieve a cult status among the boxing fans, mostly because he was able to deliver every single time and put his money where his mouth is.
1988 Seoul Olympics
Starting off his professional career at the age of 19, Roy Jones Jr. was quick to impress the world with his speed and agility. His first major achievement came at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games where he won the silver medal, representing the USA as the youngest fighter. In the title bought, he lost controversially to the Korean boxer Park Si-hun, after the judges’ decision. After an investigation, all of the 3 refs were later banned for life.
In the sport’s world, however, it’s not an uncommon practice having questionable decisions in favour of the athletes who represent the hosting country. While this was a somewhat tough pill to swallow, Roy Jones Jr didn’t mourn for too long as he was about to take the boxing world by storm. As a bonus, we’ve included a Roy Jones Jr highlights career-best-of compilation for your entertainment.
Early Professional Success
A year after his first-ever medal, RJJ stepped on the boxing ring as a professional debutant against Ricky Randall. The American quickly built a 16-0 record, all of which by knockouts within the span of just 3 years. His first title shot came in 1993 versus Bernard Hopkins whom he defeated by unanimous decision. The win secured Jones’ first IBF middleweight championship and from there on Jones continued making history.
“I don’t know if I’m the best Pound-For-Pound fighter ever. I know I’m close. I gotta be Top 5.”Roy Jones Jr.
Weight Division Shift and Controversial Behaviour
Roy Jones Jr. went on to claim few more championship titles in different weight divisions throughout the following years. He wouldn’t settle down for just one weight class and was cruising up through Super Middleweight, Light Heavyweight, and Heavyweight, respectively winning titles in all of them.
After retaining his IBF middleweight title to Thomas Tate, in 1994 RJ challenged James Toney for the super middleweight title. At the time, Jones was undisputed 27-0 champion and nicknamed ‘Captain Hook’ for his devastating punching abilities. Meanwhile, Toney was rated the best boxer in the world at 168lb and undefeated in all his 46 fights. After vigorous 12 rounds and unanimous decision, Roy Jones Jr was crowned the new IBG super middleweight champion. You can watch a Roy Jones Jr highlights video compilation below:
In the following 2 years, Jones successfully retained his crown 5 times until moving up to the next steppingstone – the WBC light heavyweight title. In November 1996 a fight between Roy Jones Jr. and Mike McCallum took place in Florida before 12,000 exalted fans. On stake was the vacant WBC light heavyweight title, and after another 12 rounds hard-fought bout and a UD, Jones took home the grand prize.
While in his prime, Jones was virtually unstoppable. He would run circles around his opponents, humiliating them and doing whatever he wants with his unorthodox and off-balance moves. Roy Jones Jr. would’ve kept a perfect 50-0 record from his first 50 bouts had he not been disqualified against Montell Griffin.
In a light heavyweight title defence match in March 1997, RJ took an unnecessary action while his opponent was knocked down and continued punching him while on the canvas. This conduct, of course, led to a disqualification and ultimately to Roy Jones Jr first ever professional defeat and WBC light heavyweight title lose. Most likely ‘Captain Hook’ would’ve won the bout easily but the emotions took the best of him.
Roy Jones Jr Knockouts, Boxing Stats, and Records
| Total Fights | 75 | Wins | 66 | Wins by KO | 47 | Losses | 9 |
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After regaining his WBC light heavyweight title in the rematch against Montell Griffin with a knockout in the 1st round, Roy Jones Jr continued paving his way to the hall-of-fame. He defended his title 11 consecutive times collecting few other belts along the way.
In March 2003, Roy Jones Jr. managed to win the WBA heavyweight title against John Ruiz. Thanks to this huge accomplishment he became the first boxer since Bob Fitzsimmons in 1897, to win belts at both middleweight and heavyweight.
At the time, nothing seemed to be able to stop RJ on his way to greatness. He would go on from strength to strength breaking countless records. His phenomenal speed and footwork, as well as agility, were unmatched.Roy Jones Jr knockouts record would extend to 35 in his first 50 bouts. He was proclaimed the 1990’s Fighter of the Decade alongside other notable achievements:
- 1988 Seoul Olympic Games the Best Stylistic Boxer
- 1994 Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine
- 1996, 2000 and 2003 Best Boxer ESPY Award
- 2003 Fighter of the Year by World Boxing Hall of Fame
- Total of 12 titles and a record holder of seven belts simultaneously – WBA, WBC, IBO, IBF, NABF, WBF, and IBA light heavyweight
- The solitary boxer in history to begin his career as a junior middleweight and to finally claim the heavyweight title
Career Decline and Life Outside the Ring
Many argue that Jones Jr was a tat bit too late to retire. He practically achieved everything a sportsman could ever wish for. But it was never enough for ‘Captain Hook’. The real decline of RJ’s career began in 2004 after losing 3 consecutive fights to Antonio Tarver twice and Glen Johnson. The final bell of Jones’ magnificent career rang in 2018 when he defeated Scott Sigmon for his 66th career win.
Roy Jones Jr highlights include many achievements out of the boxing ring as well. He has shot 9 movies, with most notable appearance in The Matrix Reloaded. In addition, RJ has released 2 rap albums – Round One: The Album in 2002 and Body Head Bangerz: Volume One in 2004. His three sons will be another testament that Roy Jones Jr’s legacy will live on forever. An amazing sportsman, he became a favourite for many gamblers as well, since a bet on his name was technically a sure win. The things, on that matter, are getting much better since online gambling in the USA is developing with full power and many states are rethinking their laws in order to make space for online betting and casino markets. Great examples for it are the newest laws regarding New Jersey online casinos and Pennsylvanian online gambling.
