Roy Jones, Jr.

[Robert Crisman]

Roy Jones, Jr., a man that God would have ducked in the '90s.

A left that would send you to hell, and a right that would put you the second tier under.

And speed--how'd you like to get hit, say, this Wednesday and wake up the week before last?

He now gets kayoed by guys who couldn't have carried his jock strap back when.

Ali, Evander, the great Sugar Ray--that's Robinson, son--they hung on too long and died by the inch from the poundings they took, and now Roy.

And what's left are the roaring crowds' echoes from times when dreams claimed all flesh, a flesh that sleeps now as the bell tolls out ten.

[Robert Crisman]

@Deborah: The reason Jones is losing isn't because he's focused on other things. He was focused on other things.such as recording albums and playing basketball games the day of a fight, when he was beating everybody. The difference is, he can no longer physically bring it the way he used to be able to do. This was obvious when, for example, Calzaghe toyed with him the way Jones used to toy with opponents in the '90s. One final irony in all this is, too many more Lebedevs and he's going to be in no demand whatever as a motivational speaker. Even today the general run of commentary with regard to him has taken on an increasingly sad tone accompanied by a shaking of heads. Guys like that don't often get called on to inspire people.

Jones started losing after he went up in weight and beat Ruiz for the heavyweight championship. That took something out of his body that he's never been able to reclaim.

[Gita]

a flesh that sleeps now as the bell tolls out ten. beautiful. brilliant.

[Teresa]

We seem to find a hole of obsession and push to fill it, even if it's all an illusion.  I only watched one fight, ever, Muhammad Ali in 1976.  Was he fighting Sugar Ray?  I watched and couldn't stop watching.  If you think about it, watching two men beat each other up is like watching a cockfight.  The only difference is, it's televised and legal.

[Bill Floyd]

This could apply to a lot of athletes, artists, etc.  People want to recapture that glorious feeling of invincibility, and it costs.  Good five-six combo.   

[Deborah Jovan Reed]

@ Kristine. I don't think he keeps fighting because he's afraid of his future. He's released music and been in film/tv... that's the main reason I think he's started losing so many times, he's focused on other things. Before/since his losing streak started he'd released two albums, a single, and been involved in four movies. He's a celebrity and knows when the time comes if he wanted he could get off doing the music and movies or, like Michael Vicks, become a mentor/motivational speaker. He has the whole 'tragic childhood' life story to fall back on. Look what I did with myself...

[Stephen Torelli]

Great tale. Boxing isn't as popular as it used to be.

[Bob Clay]

I've always admired boxing and boxers ... but you do have to wonder if boxers .... even the greats .... actually won anything in the long run other then a " A one-way ticket to Palooka-ville!"

[Jeanette Cheezum]

It's a tough way to make a living. Thanks for the info, Robert. I used to cuddle up next to my granddaddy and we would yell at the TV if our fighter didn't win, or if he did.

[Jadie Jones]

stirring, lean, and inspirationally jarring. Favorited

[Kristine_ES]

really liked "died by the inch."

i rely on you for sixes like this because i learn.  today i learned who Roy Jones, Jr. is. who he was.  man, he's only one year older than me, and that's too long for boxing, i guess.  i wonder if he's afraid of his future and that's why he keeps fighting?