10 Most Memorable Roy Jones Jr. Fights

Roy Jones Jr. enjoyed a long and distinguished career, facing some of the toughest opponents. He delivered many performances that were only possible by a legend. Here are 10 of the best Roy Jones Jr. fights of all time.

10 Memorable Roy Jones Jr. Fights

Roy Jones Jr vs a bodybuilder in a boxing fight in the metaverse on PPV…

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— IFL TV (@IFLTV) July 1, 2023

Roy Jones Jr. vs John Ruiz

After many years of rumours, Jones made his move up to the heavyweight division in 2003 to face WBA world heavyweight champion, John Ruiz. Superman boxed brilliantly throughout showcasing his fast hands and slick combinations, which saw the judge’s scorecards read 116-112, 117-111 and 118-110 in favour of Jones Jr.

Roy Jones Jr. vs James Toney

1994 was the year we witnessed a masterpiece from Roy Jones Jr. He faced off against IBF super middleweight champion James Toney, and put on a masterclass. Superman knocked down Toney and dominated every round. He couldn’t lay a glove on Jones, who won via unanimous decision with the judges scorecards reading 119-108, 118-109 and 117-110.

Roy Jones Jr. vs Bernard Hopkins

In the first of two meetings between these two ring legends, we were able to witness the class and ring intelligence of Jones Jr. At the time of their first fight, both were at the top of the rankings. In terms of action and excitement, there were better fights. Jones outboxed Bernard Hopkins for the majority of the contest, winning via unanimous decision – with all three judges scoring the fight 116-112.

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Roy Jones Jr. vs Montell Griffin

Superman suffered his first professional defeat via disqualification against Montell Griffin. Jones Jr had the chance for revenge just a few months later, and he took the opportunity with both hands. He knocked down Griffin early and continued to pick his opponent off, which forced the referee to intervene in the first round and award Jones Jr the win.

Roy Jones Jr. vs Virgil Hill

Virgil Hill had all the tools to cause Superman problems. In 1998, the respected light heavyweight fighter, who only had two losses on his record went up against Jones Jr. The Florida-born fighter unloaded a brutal body shot in the fourth round, which left Hill in agony on the canvas, forcing the referee to call off the contest.

Roy Jones Jr. vs Antonio Tarver

In November 2003 Jones Jr cut 18-pound following his heavyweight triumph over Ruiz to take on Antonio Tarver at light heavyweight. The fight was close and tense throughout the opening rounds. Jones Jr seemed to be suffering from the weight cut, and his reflexes were greatly affected. However, he dug deep and landed some eye-catching shots in the final rounds, which saw the judges score the bout – 117–111, 116–112 and 114–114

Roy Jones Jr. vs Mike McCallum

Roy Jones Jr faced Jamaican boxer Mike McCallum and defeated him via 12 round unanimous decision. Jones was faster to the punch throughout and was too slick for McCallum from start to finish, and won the vacant WBC interim light heavyweight title.

Roy Jones Jr. vs Park Si-Hun

In the final fight of Jones’s amateur career, he went up against Park Si-Hun in the gold medal fight at the Seoul 1988 Seoul Olympics. Jones outclassed Park from start to finish, showcasing his devastating speed, which had seen him coast through to the final. Superman landed left hooks at will during the first round and floored Park Si-Hun in the second round. Jones again outclassed his opponent in round three, before three out of five judges’ inexplicable awarded the gold medal to Park Si-Hun.

Roy Jones Jr. vs Vinny Pazienza

Roy Jones Jr entered the record books in 1995 in his fight against Vinny Pazienza. Superman became the first and only fighter to go a whole round without taking a punch from his opponent. The defensive nouse of Jones was seen in this round. He eventually stopped the tough Pazienza in the sixth round, after Jones had knocked his opponent down for the third time.

Roy Jones Jr. vs Sugar Boy Malinga

On August 14, 1993, Jones Jr faced off against Sugar Boy Malinga, who had proven his awkwardness in coming close to defeating Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank on points. Jones let Malinga know early on the power and speed he had at his disposal. The South African-born fighter seemed bewildered by the American’s speed.

The inevitable end came in round 6 with a devastating left hook, which ultimately left Malinga unable to continue.

“Roy Jones is probably the best fighter of the last 30 years and only [Floyd] Mayweather and [Pernell] Whitaker can argue,” said acclaimed trainer and fight historian Stephen Edwards and its difficult to argue otherwise.