Moscow, Russia- Saturday night former pound for pound king and multi title champion Roy Jones Jr. was knocked out in horrific fashion by Denise Lebedev. This was Jones third consecutive loss and his second by devastating knock out. Through out the 90’s into early 2003 Roy Jones simply dominated with no peer his extremely gifted athleticism and cat like reflexes allowed him to break all the rules in boxing to create his own unique style and world within the sport he was a rapper an actor and basketball player.
However, in the last seven years Jones has become one of the saddest stories in the sport next to Evander Holyfield’s dubious quest to once again become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. Roy is 5-7 in his last twelve fights four of those losses have come by brutal knockouts. People from outside the world of boxing are shocked when they find out Roy is still fighting and those in the boxing circle are asking, “When will it end?”
Roy was welcomed to Moscow with open arms as all legends in American sports, foreign countries still hold are athletes in high regard. At the press conference, Roy was greeted by fellow legend and trainer of Denis Lebebev Kostya Tyszu with a hug and a bow. Roy promised the Moscow crowd that he would put on a show and he did not disappoint. Jones surprised the many American critics and writers as well as me who thought he would not make it out of the first round but Denis showed him a little bit of respect and decided to carefully break down the shopworn fighter.
Roy showed glimpse of his former self landing crisp right hand leads and dancing to the delight of the 25,000 in attendance even stunning the young fighter in round four. Thirty seconds left in round ten Jones backed into the ropes and Lebebev landed three solid left hands Jones bent over and covered up as if to say no more and the referee Steve Smoger being a veteran referee but known for letting fights go on longer then they should allowed Lebebev to land one more big solid left hand while Roy was defenseless. Roy fell to the canvas in the preverbal heap and it was over.
Doctors and Jones team rushed in to the fallen warrior who lay on the canvas squinting in pain. Lebebev mimicking Roy Jones in his fight with Vinny Pazienza walked around the ring arms out shrugging his shoulders as if to say I did not want to do it but the ref did not stop it.
Once Roy was on his feet he did not open, his eyes he kept them closed for at least five minuets while doctors put smelling salt under his nose trying to still revive him. What was sad and ironic about witnessing that scene was Roy’s good friend Gerald Mcclellan laid on the canvas with his eyes closed in pain Fortunate for Jones he got up for Gerald however he has the mind of a three year old is and is completely blind.
Roy Jones has stated he would never end up the stereotypical story of the fighter that does not really know when to call it quits. However, here we are Jones being interviewed in the center of the ring telling everyone in attendance that he may be back in the ring, WHAT!
This has become the never-ending story in boxing and it seems that it will never change no matter how much money a fighter makes they have been programmed from a very young age to be fighters. Once something is instilled in you over that period instincts take over, you feel that is all you have, and I believe if other athletes could do it they would continue in their perspective fields as well.
Alton Merkerson trainer of Jones should tell his friend enough is enough its time to hang up the gloves and bow out gracefully Roy showed once again in this fight without his athletic gifts and tremendous reflexes he has nothing else in his toolbox to call upon. He was so gifted that he never kept his fundamentals strong such as his jab and defense those two basic skills could have preserved Roy Jones and beat some of the opponents that embarrassed him over the years (Antonio Tarver, Glen Johnson, and Danny Green)As of right now Jones is getting fights on his name alone and his status will see Roy Jones in the ring again? Only time will tell. Like most fighters, Jones and his team will try to see all the positives in the fight that fact he made it ten rounds with a young strong fighter and the fact he stunned Denise on two occasions in the fight. Nevertheless, if I were Alton Merkerson I would do an intervention and put the DVD of Gerald Mccellen in the player and when thinks he getting to watch his past performance he will see his possible future and realize that this is the end.
- The Boxing King -
