Can’t Help But Get Excited…
November 8th marks an anniversary of sorts for Roy Jones Jr. It was November 8th, 2003 when he first showed signs of normality. He labored through a close decision over light heavyweight Antonio Tarver, after having beaten John Ruiz convincingly just months earlier at heavyweight. Roy then went on to lose three fights in a row, two by knockout. It looked like it was over for Roy. He just wasn’t the same after rapidly cutting to light heavyweight after the Ruiz fight. He looked like a shot fighter after three straight losses.
Yet to the surprise of many, Roy is back in the spotlight. Tomorrow night he faces off with unbeaten super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe. My logical side tells me that Roy is far past his prime, and I shouldn’t be interested in this fight. Logic is losing the argument for me however. As a youngster, I vividly remember watching Roy Jones in 1988 as an amateur on the US Olympic team. It was that year’s Olympic games that sparked my passion for the sport of boxing. I recorded all of the fights and still have the old VHS tapes. Roy Jones Jr. was the one fighter who stood out to me.
Years later, I received an 8 x 10 autograph that was personalized to me from Roy. Former world title contender John Scully (a mentor of mine) had gotten it for me. He knew Roy since the amateurs and later trained with him as a pro.
You can actually see a brief video of John sparring with Roy back in 1988 at the the link below. The two were sparring in preparation for the 1988 US Olympic Trials. The sparring took place at Sugar Ray Leonard’s gym in Maryland.
There is no question that the interest sparked from the 1988 Olympic games is at least partially responsible for where I am today. It was then that my passion for the Sweet Science took off. It’s hard to believe that it has been over 20 years since those Olympic games. I would have never imagined that Roy would still be fighting at this level.
The kid in me is excited about this fight. Calzaghe has been a dominant champion throughout his career. I remember reading about his interest in fighting Roy Jones many years ago in the International Boxing Digest magazine. I wish it had happened back when Roy was in his prime, but it wasn’t meant to be.
Here we are however and I’m excited about tomorrow night’s fights. Scully and many other fighters from our old gym are actually making the drive to New York to see the fight live. We are all hoping for the old Roy, as opposed to an old Roy. Calzaghe is a great fighter however, who has not received the credit that he deserves.
Regardless of the outcome, I hope that it turns out to be an exciting, fan pleasing fight. To those who are not familiar with either fighter, below are two highlight clips that you may enjoy.
Enjoy the fights!
Ross
PS - One last thought worth mentioning… I’ve written about Roy in this entry as I followed his career since the amateurs. This should not take away from Joe Calzaghe however, who has been a dominant force in boxing throughout his career. He is unbeaten and will certainly be very difficult to beat. I wouldn’t bet money on this fight.
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I have very similar feelings for this fight. Good post.
Don’t know much about boxing, although I do know that Roy Jones Jr was very good when he was in his prime.
Didn’t he win belts and fights in several different divisions ranging from lightweight to heavyweight? Is this something many other fighters have done in the past?
I hope this is and exciting fight.
One thing which is very fascinating is the fact that Enzo Calzaghe has trained his son joe all by himself Without any boxing experience himself.
Ross, I would be really interested in knowing what you think of Enzo and what he’s accomplished with joe.
Hi Ross,
Good post. I particularly like the nostalgia aspect to the piece and the fact that you acknowledged Joe Calzaghe so well. I will be watching a recording after paying my respects at Rememberance Sunday. Let’s hope it is a good one!
Lee.
I have the same excitement, but my old vhs memories of Roys greater days are now backed up on dvd
Lets not forget that Calzaghe is no spring chicken himself. Both have been two of the most skillful I have ever seen, and this fight could be anyones!
Good luck to both of them.
Great blog! I’m so excited for this fight! It’s times like this when I wished I lived on the east coast so I could be there live. Go Roy!!!
Roy also has a rap cd if anyone is interested- “Body Head Bangerz”
Great fight for Calzaghe! I wish they had fought many years ago, when both were in their prime, but it wasn’t meant to be. I hope Roy will walk away from the sport now. His best days are long gone.
Ross
Yeah, he shined in that first round but otherwise he should move on. Great guy for athletics in general.
Hey Ross!!! It’s your boy Chuck!!!
Roy was indeed an amazing fighter Ross, i always told people the stuff he did in the ring is just something you don’t see in reality it’s like things you see in a comic book.I always loved boxing it’s just something i was born and made to do but then when i saw Oscar Delahoya fighting in the olympics, my grandfather who is a big reason for me boxing as well always would tell me to watch oscar he would say this kid is gonna be a great fighter one day.
I began following Oscar from there n just fell in love with his style n still to this very day he’s still hands down my favorite fighter. But i have to admit when i came across Roy i suddenly had to favorite fighters, when i seen this man i was like WOW!!!! I said this man is freaking amazing, man we could look at the old timer fighters , present fighters, and future no matter where we look there will never be another Roy Jones Jr. Roy thank you for all the memories n jaw dropping looks you put on my face, you will not be remembered by this loss but by your greatest moments in my heart.