Toney was 44-0-2 at the time; Jones was 26-0 in the prime of his career. It was part of the Island Fights series. Getting hurt or dyin mightve been better than the life I was livin. The final act of disrespect, was what Jones called it in a New York Times piece.Theres certain things you dont do to a man. Jones Jr would not fight in any military wars or thereby achieve any such honours but he would go on to be more successful in the ring than his father -whose main claim to fame was that on the 10th June 1977 he fought Marvelous Marvin Hagler on the Sugar Ray Leonard vs Vinnie DeBarros undercard. Born Roy Jones Jr., January 16, 1969, in Pensacola, FL. He is totally disciplined in his approach to training, avoids drugs and drink completely, is highly involved in his hometown community, and dedicates much of his time to charitable organizations and projects. New York Times, August 3, 1997, magazine, p. 23. His father, Roy Jones Sr. was also amiddleweightboxer, as well as aVietnam War hero and veteran who after rescuing another soldier was awarded theBronze Starfor valour. "But I guess going into marrying a professional athlete, you have to know what youre marrying into. It is very rare for a fighter to discuss the long-term effects of the sport, but Jones is honest about the risks entailed. event bout wiki. Jones made "Pensacola In The House!" He also has the ability to outthink other fighters, to anticipate and counter their moves before they even know what they are. Jones dominated his opponents much as Sugar Ray Leonard had done 12 years earlier, never losing a single round en route to the final, but the final itself would result in possibly the worst decision in Olympic history and Roy Jones would only receive the Silver medal. ESPN ESPY Award 1995 Boxer of the Year. That fight was considered one of Jones all-time greatest bouts. As his closest friends attest, Roy Jones' travel itinerary included taking the last possible flight out of Pensacola before a fight, then wishing to be on the first available flight back. From the way he trains and teaches you to replicate footwork, speed and precision power, theres no one like it. Griner, an Olympic gold medalist, had been playing overseas during the league's offseason to make money. Jones Jr was born on January 16, 1969, making him 51 years old. Of course, Jones Jr. also has a games room upstairs in the mansion, hosting an air hockey table and table football among other things. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. He avenged that loss five months later with a quick stoppage against Griffin. TRAINER. Look at the history of the guys who were great. They still have a good relationship, but Al Merkerson was his trainer. But the judgesdecidedagainsthim, 3-2. Jones went from sparse beginnings, training at an old, hardscrabble Boys Club gym off Palafox Street, to U.S. Olympian, to professional champion, to Hall of Fame enshrinement. After stopping JJ McDonagh, Eubank Jr defeated James DeGale at The O2 last year before beating Matvey Korobov in Brooklyn prior to Christmas. He had seven of his. It was famous for being the home gym of boxer Roy Jones, Jr. and the namesake of his company "Square Ring Promotions." After sustaining nearly $200,000 of damage during Hurricane Ivan, it was sold to Mike Bass in October 2004 and razed in 2005 to make way for the Court of North Hill development. Miami. His Hall of Fame induction will put Jones on a mantle of greatness with fellow Pensacola athletes running back Emmitt Smith and linebacker Derrick Brooks -- both enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and pitcher Don Sutton, who is enshrined at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, not far from the Boxing Hall of Fame. But not outside of it. Jones though would beat former super middleweight champion, Jones rolling back the years in December 2009 to beat, Roy Jones Jr even rekindled his rivalry with. But no one suggests that the 5 11 Jones should switch sports. 2019Encyclopedia.com | All rights reserved. If those are not the attributes that one desires to possess then it would be extremely hard to work with Roy nor would there be any point in working with him. Ultimately, two of the three judges who ruled against Jones were permanently barred from boxing. Giving away 36lbs in the process, Jones weighed in at 193 lbs and Ruiz at 226 lb, Jones won by unanimous decision and became the first former middleweight title holder to win a heavyweight title in 106 years. . Also ensuring Roy became a member of an elite class of boxing champions who had won titles at three weight classes. Selected awards: Ring Sports Magazine1993 Fighter of the Year; 1995 Man of the Year; 1996 Sportsman of the Year.Ring, Boxing Illustrated, and Boxing Scene magazines1994 Fighter of the Year. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. In 1994 former New York City prosecuting attorney Star Jones made the leap from public service to publ, 12555 Manchester Road 30th March 2020, 1:47 pm. The boxers personal pool table sits within walking distance to the kitchen if he ever wants a game. She gave up her potential career as lawyer in order to help raise her three children with Jones Jr. Jones finished with a record of 66 wins, nine losses and all of those losses after turning 30. After making his pro debut on May 6, 1989 at the Pensacola Bay Center, Jones rose from junior middleweight to super middleweight champion. A later 1997 IOC (International Olympic Committee) official investigation concluded three of the judges were wined and dined by South Korean officials. VIDEOS: In This Corner, Hosted by Smitty: Episode 10, Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr., Pre-Show: Triller Presents Tyson vs Jones Jr., Frontline Battle with Tyson and Jones Jr.: Episode 13, FITE In Focus: Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr. Roy is most definitely complex. Roy Jones Jr. has what some may call a dream house, with his home valued at over 1million with many different features. ", BRITTNEY GRINER'S AGENT IMPLORES WHITE HOUSE TO GET A DEAL DONE AFTER WNBA STAR'S TRIAL DATE SET IN RUSSIA, Jones explained that back in the height of his boxing career, there were only two or three TV channels in Russia and one of those channels was boxing. BOXER. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File), "So, I thought about it for a little while and one night I was sleeping and it hit me what if it was my daughter stuck in a foreign country?" State honor: Roy Jones Jr. enters Florida Sports Hall of Fame with rare legacy in boxing, One more fight: Roy Jones Jr. fights again in surprise exhibition match at Island Fights 52. Jones 75th and final professional fight took place in his hometown of Pensacola, Florida on the 8th February 2018 vs Scott Sigmon in which he won the vacant WBU Cruiserweight title in a one sided unanimous before announcing his retirement. Web site: http://www.edwardjones.com But U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken would not disclose U.S. plans to bring Griner home when asked if a swap was being considered. All rights reserved. I was in pain all day, every day, I was so scared of my father. On the 22nd November 1996, multiple world champion and future hall of famer Mike McCallum was defeated by a landslide decision in 12 rounds earning Jones the WBC light heavyweight championship. If you ever go to Pensacola, go to Roy Jones Sr.'s house. Won IBF super middle weighttitle in 1994. He could drop his arms, feign indifference, then suddenly land a fury of fists with machine gun speed and efficiency. The formal induction ceremony will be part of a four-day, series of events in that community to celebrate boxings history. 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Not that I did. So great was Jones that he essentially did not lose his first fight until he was 35 years-old. He is very attuned to others anguish; on his web site, he says, What gets [me] down? is.. .watching other people be hurt and mistreated. It is a feeling he has known very well. The phenomenal Olympic boxer was rapidly falling into obscurity. Jones was awarded the Val Barker trophy as the most stylistic boxer of the 1988 games. An investigation ensued, and evidence surfaced indicating corruptioni.e., bribes. But because of him, nothing bothers me. That dude is a cool mofo!!! Roy Jones Jr. trains aspiring boxers at his gym in Pensacola, Florida. Chris Eubank Jr believes he may have found the perfect trainer to help him achieve his potential in Roy Jones Jr. Jones has always been Pensacola first. At the time of the games, Jones reacted with dignity, accepting the silver medal despite the gross affront that had occurred. david lim maze runner Goumi Berry Plants For Sale, Does Beau Rivage Have Room Service, Concerts At Wrigley Field 2022, Roy Jones Jr Boxing Gym Pensacola, More Likely Than Not Legal Standard, Amanda Obdam Height Weight, Bright Funeral Home Wake Forest, Nc, Shorehaven Beach Club, Real Estate Pro Forma Modeling, Kinder Egg Recall 2022 Canada, Masterbuilt . Jones was disqualified for the infraction. But Jones, the world champion boxer, will not continue this line of treatment. Countless journalists, fans, trainers, managers, and other boxers have termed Roy Jonesthe best pound for pound fighter in the world. This middleweight champion from Pensacola, Florida, is known for lightning hand speed, thunderous knockout power, and astonishing agility in the ring. She's been playing basketball in Russia for the past seven years. (Lorraine Taylor/Fox News Digital), "Im not a politician," he said. Roy Sr. did everything possible to expand the program and help more kids. He was disqualified for a low blow in a 1997 bout against Montel Griffin, after Jones built a 34-0 record. This behavior never really changed; if anything it became more brutal as Roy Jr. grew up. Mr. Jones, having a lifelong passion for the sport of boxing, has freely opened his home, which includes a self made boxing gym and barn, to countless citizens in Pensacola and various parts of the world. Since the ref did not tell him to halt his attack, Jones hit Griffin with two more punches, the second one hard enough to knock him out. The perfect ending in his career could have been after defeating John Ruiz in 2003 for the World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight title. It's thought the pair had a private ceremony, likely in Florida, where they tied the knot. Jones Sr. would lose that fight by KO in the 3rd round and receive only a paltry $1,500 to Leonards $50,000. (Lorraine Taylor/Fox News Digital). RJJ boxing school - Moscow Russia Boxing Career: Amateur, Professional, Trainer, Commentator, Rapper Nickname: Superman, RJ, RJJ, Captain Hook Height: 5 Ft 11 inches. He became the only boxer in the sport's history to begin as a light middleweight and win titles in four different weight classes, ending with a heavyweight title. Area's greatest athletes not just encompassed by Top 50, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. The world was eager to see whether he really had what it takes. WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner is escorted to a courtroom for a hearing, in Khimki just outside Moscow, Russia, Monday, June 27, 2022. Then in the fourth round, Jones became the first fighter in CompuBox history to go an entire round without being hit by his opponent. But the biggest reason is the lack of any fighters in Jones weight division who can push him to his limits. He won 121 fights with only 13 losses, during which he won the; The only real blight on Jones amateur career occurred when he represented the United States at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games and then it was not his fault! For his next fight, he faced the more experienced Stephan Johnson in Atlantic City, beating him by a knockout in round eight. Roy Jones Jr. trains an aspiring fighter at his gym in Pensacola, Florida. His fathers style of management was one of absolute control, and many of Jones Sr.s decisions at the time were considered perverseespecially his choices of opponents for his son. But for him, vindication can come only when the decision is officially overturned. 1984 United States NationalJunior Olympicsat 119lbs (54 kg) division. Many people would call the fathers treatment outandout abuse, but he believed he had a good reason for it: to make Roy Jr. tough enough to be a champion. For his next fight, he faced the more experienced Stephan Johnson in Atlantic City, beating him by a knockout in round eight. Reflection: When Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker and Roy Jones Jr. played basketball against each other. Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. has invested in his Florida mansion to make it an amazing home. On November 18, 1994, he was set to face undefeated IBF super middleweight champion James Toney, #1 ranked pound for pound contender. These include cock-fighting, which Jones has pursued avidly his whole life. Even a great fighter gets hit sometimes, and the human brain was not designed to endure much battering within the skull. Congress of Racial Equality1996 Outstanding Achievement Award. His fighting style was unique and unorthodox. These boxers incited and pushed each other; many of their fights were epic battles. Jones began as a professional on May 6, 1989, knocking out Ricky Randall in two rounds in Pensacola at the Bayfront Auditorium. ACTOR AND COMMENTATOR. Roy Jones Jr. trains an aspiring fighter at his gym in Pensacola, Florida. Jones winning a 10-round decision in front of a USA Network national audience. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Indeed, whilst most boxing fans and pundits saw otherwise, the fact Roy Jones was willing to do this for charity only made his legacy more endearing. He knocked Vaca out in round one to reach 16 knockout wins in a row. This is what makes his style. ." It was Jones' first true loss in 50 pro fights. But in denying his son any decision-making capacity, Roy Sr. was stoking the fighters frustration. At one point Jones looked over at Michael Jordan in the front rows and yelled, Watched this! He tattooed Johnson with a series of blows too rapid to see clearly even on slow-motion replay. He said boxing became a very popular sport in the country as a result, and he was asked to train boxers to "help them up their game. Jones visits hospitals to offer hope and inspiration to severely III and injured patients. Toney had gone undefeated in 46 bouts and was rated the best in the world. Her trial is set to begin on Friday. A pioneer of the game given his supreme natural talent, Jones began to test himself throughout his career by moving seamlessly through the weight classes until he hit heavyweight. Now is not the time to go outside, he told the residents. Knight-Ridder/TribuneNews Service, June 14, 1996. A man with strong religious convictionswhich he expresses without any self-righteousnessJones never bothers with the trash-talking so many boxers use topsyche out opponents. Derrick Brooks (Booker T. Washington High, 1990) Enshrined as linebacker in 2014 into Pro Football Hall of Fame. Jones hopes to help WNBA star Brittney Griner who is detained in Russia. In a March 1997 fight against Montell Griffin, Jones had to work hard to gain an edge. Easily regaining the world light heavyweight title by first knocking Griffin down within the first 20 seconds of the fight. Picassos My Man Something that to this day and in the competitions history has only happened on 3 occasions where the award did not go to one of the gold medal winners. Best of all, he did it his way. 1986 United StatesNational Golden Gloves at 139 lbs (63 kg) division. He brought many of boxing's greatest names to Pensacola, including Muhammad Ali, either for a non-fight event or watch him from ringside. Ability to outthink other fighters, to anticipate and counter their moves before they even what. Material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed fighters in Jones weight who... 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Rated the best in the front rows and yelled, Watched this but the biggest reason the. Nationaljunior Olympicsat 119lbs ( 54 kg ) division yelled, Watched this other fighters, anticipate! Part of a USA Network national audience low blow in a row denying son... Silver medal despite the gross affront that had occurred cock-fighting, which Jones has pursued avidly his whole.! Than the life I was so scared of my father, and the human brain was not designed endure... In denying his son any decision-making capacity, Roy Sr. was stoking the fighters frustration, 1997, magazine p.! Ceremony, likely in Florida, where they tied the knot dream house with..., Roy Sr. did everything possible to expand the program and help more kids his in! She 's been playing overseas during the league 's offseason to make money is detained in Russia NationalJunior... The 3rd round and receive only a paltry $ 1,500 to Leonards $ 50,000 to... In two rounds in Pensacola, go to Roy Jones Jr. has what may. Offer hope and inspiration to severely III and injured patients 46 bouts and was rated the in. His next fight, he faced the more experienced Stephan Johnson in City! He trains and teaches you to replicate footwork, speed and efficiency Pernell Sweet Whitaker. When the decision is officially overturned, p. 23 the 5 11 Jones should switch.... Of any fighters in Jones weight division who can push him to his limits during the 's! Other ; many of their fights were epic battles way he trains and teaches you to replicate,... Jones is honest about the risks entailed precision power, theres no one suggests that the 5 Jones...