He is part of a nine-member 2022 class which includes James Toney, also 53, who Jones defeated in 1994 a 12-round unanimous decision for a super middleweight title. 1984 United States NationalJunior Olympicsat 119lbs (54 kg) division. Boxing is his profession, but he has loads of other passions. Jones began as a professional on May 6, 1989, knocking out Ricky Randall in two rounds in Pensacola at the Bayfront Auditorium. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko). To briefly recap for those unfamiliar, South Korean fighter Park Si-Hun was pounded around the ring for three rounds. She gave up her potential career as lawyer in order to help raise her three children with Jones Jr. He was so fast, the guy couldnt lay a glove on Roy. The same article includes a quote from U.S. Olympic Committee director of media services Bob Condron:It was not, in any sense of the word, close. The decision was such a blatant injustice that 50 Korean Buddhist monks went to Jones to express their shame. As Kevin Monaghan, NBCs boxing correspondent at the games, said inUSA Today, It was an absolute joke. She appeared in court Monday for a preliminary hearing. You dont give a kid $2 million and the prestige of a world title. Area's greatest athletes not just encompassed by Top 50, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. TRAINER. Roy Jones Jr. enters Florida Sports Hall of Fame with rare legacy in boxing, Roy Jones Jr. fights again in surprise exhibition match at Island Fights 52, When Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker and Roy Jones Jr. played basketball against each other, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Even playing a song from the CD during his ring entrance on route to defeating future world champion Clinton Woods by technical knockout in September 2002. He avenged that loss five months later with a quick stoppage against Griffin. Roysamateurcareer was a pretty impressive one to say the least. The world was eager to see whether he really had what it takes. It evolved as expected with both men battling fatigue, age, and well-past-prime skills, but they occasionally showed some flashbacks. Assn. Protect yourself. A further loss to Glen Johnson on the 25th September 2004 by KO in round 9, with Jones laid out on the canvas for a full 3 minutes after being counted out, did not bode well! This bout was unsanctioned by the Florida boxing commission. History was his. His opponent that day, Canadas Eric Lucas, was widely considered easy pickings for Jones, so a fatiguing basketball game was one way to even the field a little.Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service quoted Jones as saying, a little defensively perhaps, At least this gives the guy a chance. Clearly, basketball is far more than a casual hobby to Jones. /KO1996 Best Pound-for-Pound Fighter in the World and 1996 Best Fighter in the World (in poll of boxing experts). Roy Jones Jr. trains aspiring boxers at his gym in Pensacola, Florida. Roy Jones Jr. was set on doing it his way 33 years ago when entering the professional boxing world. 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. Natlyn attended Florida State University and had aspirations of becoming a lawyer before falling head over heels for Jones Jr. Attended Pensacola Junior College. Griffin was proving himself a tough adversary, and it had gotten to Jones. Father, an exfighter, was Roy Jr.s boxing teacher.Education: Graduate from Washington High in Pensacola in 1987. After stopping JJ McDonagh, Eubank Jr defeated James DeGale at The O2 last year before beating Matvey Korobov in Brooklyn prior to Christmas. After he won the heavyweight title? Middleweight Championship of the World, Super I was in pain all day, every day, I was so scared of my father. He even improvises with his technique, launching punches from unlikely angles and surprising opponents with unexpected moves and flurries of blows. It's still has boxing but I'm sure it's not what you want. Toney had gone undefeated in 46 bouts and was rated the best in the world. He had the platform to stage fights in Pensacola and he chose to do it as much as possible. Roy Lavesta Jones Junior, a former American professional boxer, ring technician and absolute legend of the sport holds one particularly unique career achievement. I want a personto-person life.. His only loss in his first eight years of fighting was a controversial disqualification in 1997 against Montel Griffin for the World Boxing Council Light Heavyweight title. Id guess 95 percent of people reaching out wanted something from him. RJJ boxing school - Moscow Russia Boxing Career: Amateur, Professional, Trainer, Commentator, Rapper Nickname: Superman, RJ, RJJ, Captain Hook Height: 5 Ft 11 inches. Jones has always been Pensacola first. There was no escape, no excuse, no way out of nothin. The fight was the most anticipated and biggest fight of the year with Toney actually predicted to win by many experts due to the superior level of competition he had faced. Total Fights: 75, Wins: 66, Wins by KO: 47, Losses: 9, Draws: 0. 655 views 3 years ago Legend Roy Jones jr training boxing contenders to be the next breakout stars. Actor But towards his own son he was merciless, driving Roy Jr. to the brink of exhaustion, screaming at him in front of all the other fighters, assaulting him. On the 21st December 2013, Jones defeated Zine Eddine Benmakhlouf by unanimous decision for the vacantWBUcruiserweight title, in a Winner Takes All match in Moscow, Russia. Jones, a Booker T. Washington High graduate, makes it a Fab Four for Pensacola with enshrined Hall of Fame athletes. Vaca was summarily dispatched by KO in round one to reach 16 knockout wins and Jones even extended it to 17 KO wins, before finally being taken the distance for a first time against future world champion Jorge Castro. A fresh take on sports: the biggest news and most entertaining listicles, Boxing: Roy Jones Jr.s spectacular 1 million mansion has some very interesting features, Tommy Fury vs Jake Paul: Damning comparison of two on the pads, Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury: New angle shows how much Tyson Fury shook Problem Child. However, the date of retrieval is often important. The Jones/Toney fight was ultra-hyped, and Jones for the first time in his career was the underdog. He knew Pacienza was past his prime but also had the kind of grit that would keep him going even if the going got dangerously self-destructive. Jones was 34 years-old then in climbing four weight classes. 1 talking about this. The phenomenal Olympic boxer was rapidly falling into obscurity. After six rounds, a TKO finally was called. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Over the course of the 12-round unanimous decision, Jones demonstrated his greatness. 1987 United States National Golden Gloves at 156lbs (71 kg) division. FILE - Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner pauses on the court during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm, Sept. 3, 2019, in Phoenix. But Jones, the world champion boxer, will not continue this line of treatment. So who was this guy? Don Sutton (Tate High, 1963 graduate) Enshrined as pitcher in 1998 into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Future legend Roy Jones, Jr. at 17-years-old in a Pensacola, Florida gym. Given 5. International Boxing Federation1995 Fighter of the Year and 1995 Fighter of Unlimited Potential. In 1994 former New York City prosecuting attorney Star Jones made the leap from public service to publ, 12555 Manchester Road The Hall of Fame ceremony Sunday, which ends a four-day set of events at this venue, is billed as a Trilogy, since it will also enshrine classes from 2020 and 2021 events cancelled by the ongoing coronavirus. He has even considered bulking up to take on the heavy-weights or trimming down to fight the welterweight champions. Son of Roy Sr. and Carol Jones. In this pursuit, he was relentless, and Roy Jr. lived in constant fear of his fathers verbal and physical violence against him. you cant expect the same treatment on floyd gym though. The boxers home in Pensacola, Florida is 15,000 square-feet, built on 80 acres of land owned by Jones Jr. himself. The current interim WBA super-middleweight champion has enjoyed a revival in his career since he was beaten convincingly by George Groves over two years ago in the World Boxing Super Series. People assume every boxer wants to live the fast life. In that fight, Jones intent to avoid hurting Pacienza prompted the referee to issue a warning. Jones able to take solace from the fact Park himself apologised to Jones afterwards. It was Jones' first true loss in 50 pro fights. Updated: Jun 7, 2022 / 09:55 PM CDT. This bout was unsanctioned by the Florida boxing commission. The IOC however stood and still officially stands by its decision. He had seven of his. Reflection: When Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker and Roy Jones Jr. played basketball against each other. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Eubank Jr defeated James DeGale at The O2 last year. Jones aims to select matches that cany big purses, and he has expressed frustration that his weight class is paid is so much less than the heavy-weights are. He knocked Vaca out in round one to reach 16 knockout wins in a row. Since then, he has waged a campaign to get the medal he deserved. He did not want to be under any contract to have future fights controlled by one promoter or the other. Natlyn gave up her dream of becoming a lawyer, however, to be by Jones Jr's side throughout his career and to raise their kids. Roy is most definitely complex. 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. Jones has seen up close the effects of one severe knockout punch on a friend of his: Gerald McClellan, whose eyesight, hearing, and speech were badly damaged. Hed pull up in his truck and start lookin for something Id done wrong. The induction ceremony will be held June 12 in Canastota, New York, located 25 miles from Syracuse. That fight was considered one of Jones all-time greatest bouts. Bout is serving a 25-year sentence on conviction of conspiracy to kill U.S. citizens and providing aid to a terrorist organization. "If my athlete affiliations can help rectify the situation why wouldnt I try?" ", He continued, "I would feel bad sitting there comfortable at night knowing shes in that country in prison and I have citizenship in that country and Im not trying to do nothing to help. ACTOR AND COMMENTATOR. Derrick Brooks (Booker T. Washington High, 1990) Enshrined as linebacker in 2014 into Pro Football Hall of Fame. And despite hanging the gloves up not too long ago, Jones Jr wants in on that ring feeling once again. Im so honored that I get this opportunity and I cant wait to go to Canastota and see it come to fruition.. Born in Pensacola, FL. . News Corp is a network of leading companies in the worlds of diversified media, news, education, and information services. (Lorraine Taylor/Fox News Digital), "Im not a politician," he said. 2:59 ref: Frank Santore Jr Jay Kassees Fred Sauers Vincent Thomas. The fight was scored a draw, because, well, its boxing judging. Olympic team coach Alton Merkerson, whom Jones hired in the early 1990s as his trainer, said inSports Illustrated, Roys not only got the quickest hands in boxing, but the quickest mind.. Addresses: Online http://www.Royjonesjr.Com Pro-motion-Square Ring, Inc., 200 West LA RUA Street, Pensacola, FL 32501. 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. But Jones has found no credible, champion-grade warriors to take on. During his career, Roy won many versions of different titles - The boxers walk-in wardrobe is also a thing of beauty, housing all of his ring-gear, clothes as well as his trainer collection. Won IBF super middle weighttitle in 1994. After one more KO, Jones went the distance for the first time against future world champion Jorge Castro, winning a 10-round decision in front of a USA Network national audience. "They dont speak no English and she dont speak the language that they speak. As he said to USA Today, I care about my well-being after boxing. Jones said he has been unable to reach Griner or her family, but hes open and willing to communicate should they reach out. At a Glance . And it did enable him to connect with new generations who didnt see him in his prime, but they got glimpses in bouts of what made him great. on January 16, 1969, Roy Jones Jr. has shown the best ability he has in the boxing world. Private Company He became a four-weight world champion after defeating John Ruiz for the WBA title in 2003 somewhat incredulous considering he started at the same weight as Eubank Jr. Now he is passing on tips to Eubank Jr, as he looks to stay in top shape for when he returns to the ring once the COVID-19 outbreak has subsided. People from all walks of life have journeyed this land he calls home, including aspiring boxers, athletes, troubled youth and father-son duos. The way that sets him apart. 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. Get in on the latest boxing conversations in our Forum and comment on articles. It really made me wonder about what I do automatically., For Jones, fighting is a means to an end, but it is not how he chooses to approach life outside the ringor indefinitely in it either. He also has the ability to outthink other fighters, to anticipate and counter their moves before they even know what they are. Roy Jones, Jr. (Roy Levesta Jones, Junior) BORN: January 16 1969; Pensacola, Florida: HEIGHT 5-11: WEIGHT: . Middleweight, Super Middleweight, Light Heavyweight, Cruiserweight, Heavyweight. Education, and it had gotten to Jones 95 percent of people reaching out wanted something from him he... Web site, he was so fast, the world and 1996 Best Fighter the... `` Im not a politician, '' he said to USA Today, I was in pain all,... Kevin Monaghan, NBCs boxing correspondent at the games, said inUSA Today, it was an joke! A quick stoppage against Griffin stage fights in Pensacola, Florida.watching other people be hurt and mistreated, exfighter!: 75, Wins by KO: 47, Losses: 9,:... 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