There is no doubt Roy Jones Jr. will one day be inducted into the IBHOF in Canastota. His resume speaks for itself.
As we all know, as of late "Superman" hasn't looked so 'super'. When I watched Danny Green drop Roy in the first round yesterday, it was downright depressing. A prime Roy would box circles around Green, yet I was treated to a sad shell of a once great fighter get blown out in the first round. If the brutal KO losses to Johnson/Tarver and the schooling by Calzaghe weren't proof enough Roy's time is over, then this was the nail in the coffin as much as I hate to say it.
Roy was such a great athlete he could do things and get away with things that no boxer of our time could do. But old age catches up with everyone, and the reflexes that once made Roy "unbeatable" are now his un-doing.
When it's all said and done and Roy finally hangs up the gloves, what will be the first thing that comes to your mind? For me, it will be as the lightning quick fighter who won titles in multiple weight classes, culminating in his history making victory over John Ruiz, not as the guy who fought on way past his prime and tarnished his legacy. When people think of Ali, they think of his greatness, not as the fighter who dropped fights to Leon Spinks and Larry Holmes in the twilight of his career.
I think this will be the case with Jones, unless he keeps fighting and getting knocked out by guys of Green's caliber. Look at Evander Holyfield. Many people overlook his finest moments (upset of Tyson, trilogy with Bowe, 4 time World Champ) in favor of the guy "who just didn't know when to quit".
Maybe this is the last time we see Roy Jones Jr......hopefully.
