Where would Roy Jones Jr. have fit in during the talent rich 70’s and early 80’s? I have picked who, in my opinion, were the ten best light heavyweights of that time period. Eight were champions and two were long time contenders. I then matched each against Roy in scheduled fifteen round bouts as they were back then. Based on my recollections of these boxers talents, I have formed the following scenarios.
PIERRE FOURIE – Pierre was a gifted boxer, but a light hitter. What saw him through two wars a piece against Bob Foster and Victor Galindez was his craftiness and his durability. Those same attributes would probably carry him fifteen rounds against Jones. Fourie would steal a few rounds, but drop a rather one sided decision.
YAQUI LOPEZ – Yaqui fought them all; Galindez, Conteh, Saad Muhammad, Spinks, and Rossman. He was a strong, durable fighter with a decent punch. His draw backs were slow hands and feet and that he cut easily. Roy eats up slow fighter. This one would have resembled Jones bout with Del Valle. Jones by shutout decision or late round stoppage.
MARVIN JOHNSON – This one could be interesting. Marvin’s southpaw style and aggression may surprise Roy. In the early going. Roy would have his hands full. Marvin was like a wind up toy though and as he started to slow down Roy would begin take over and punish him. Jones by knockout between rounds 7 and 10, but it would be exciting while it lasted.
VICTOR GALINDEZ – Styles make fights and Victor was made to order for Roy. Victor’s style of leaning against the ropes and covering up while waiting to throw counter shots would be suicidal against Jones. Galindez was a tough guy and I don’t know if Jones could have knocked him down, but Roy would have cut him to ribbons. The fight would be stopped within ten rounds.
MATTHEW SAAD MUHAMMAD– Try as he might, I don’t think Saad would be able to catch Roy with his hammer like right hand. I think Roy would box cautiously respecting Saad’s power. Jones would be in and out punching in flurries and piling up points. Saad’s tendency to cut could play a role here. Jones by decision or late round stoppage.
DWIGHT MUHAMMAD QAWI– The didn’t call Dwight the “Camden Buzzsaw” for nothing. This man was mean aggression done with style. A prime Michael Spinks and Evander Holyfield had all they could do to edge past him. Styles make fights and this is one style that could trouble Roy. Jones would have to box Qawi just like Holyfield did in their first fight. It would be all action and I wouldn’t be surprised if Roy didn’t hit the canvas in this one. Qawi might too. Roy has a lot of good qualities but he has yet to prove he has Holyfield’s heart. I’ll go out on a limb and take Qawi by decision.
MICHAEL SPINKS – How can a fighter do so much wrong and yet never lose a fight at 175 pounds? The “Spinks Jinx” is how. Roy would respect Michael’s power but Spinks looks so easy to hit that Roy would try to go after him. Jones would land his share of shots, but Mike’s twisting, turning style would keep him from putting too many together. When there is a lull in the action Spinks would trade jabs with Jones on a fairly even basis. As the bout wears on past the tenth round Roy is becoming frustrated by Mike’s style. Although ahead on points Jones in his frustration gets careless and the “Spinks Jinx” takes him out. Spinks by a late round come from behind knockout.