Roy Jones Jr. finally took some fists to the face

[Awsi Dooger]

My seat was high in the rafters, but damn I could see Jones' swollen features even from there. A speed fighter who is almost 35 and dropped 24 pounds to make weight suddenly looked very vulnerable, hardly the best ever as some have tagged him, including myself. Plus this was a lousy handicap by Jones, Antonio Tarver a 6-2 southpaw with fast hands and no fear.

Friday night I watched Roy Jones walk thru Caesar's Palace with only one friend alongside. No entourage. No autograph hounds. No turned heads whatsoever, despite complete absence of disguise. It blew me away, given Jones' 15 years of dominance and the Las Vegas treatment I've seen for boxers and athletes of much lesser stature.

Boxing historians will assure Jones' legend into the coming generations, even if the public ignores or doubts him. But Saturday night definitely suggested a move back to small heavyweight, and no more than a few carefully selected bouts. Jones/Tyson would feature near pick-em odds and thankfully no chance I would have to pay to see it, since Tyson can't get licensed in Nevada for some silly reason.

[Saudade]

1. Jones

I'd like to see Jones v. Toney, but I doubt it will happen.

[Awsi Dooger]

2. Jones won't bite on a rematch

Toney will scream for one, especially after Saturday night. But Jones doesn't seem to grant rematches, primarily because none of his fights are ever competitive enough to warrant them.

I agree, Saudade, Jones/Toney would definitely be intriguing at a higher weight and advanced age. Both would favor Toney compared to '94.

I attended that first fight at the MGM, carrying a major betting slip with Jones at + 1.15. It's the only time Jones was ever an underdog, and he was simply too fast and skilled for Toney at that weight. I think it was Jones' best performance, along with the Montell Griffin rematch following the DQ debacle.

[Saudade]

3. OK

Having seen both of them live, who do you think would win at HW? Jones or Toney? Also, do you think that last night's performance indicates that Jones has aged, or do you attribute it more to the weight loss and/or Tarver's considerable skill?

[kodi]

4. he should be happy he did not have to fight another korean

jones is/was a great fighter and vastly underrated in his sport.

the "fights" sure ain't what they used to be, eh?

i sure miss the late 70's-'80s when we had hearns, haigler, and robinson beatin' the snot out of each other yearly.