A major Roy Jones Jr is, for a lot of, the best fighter of all time, however even the person himself has admitted to being second-best to at least one extraordinary particular person.
Whether or not Jones reached his peak at super-middleweight or light-heavyweight is probably up for debate, however his performances in each divisions nonetheless cemented him as a pound-for-pound legend.
The American secured arguably his most notable win at 168lbs in opposition to James Toney, when his sheer explosiveness and athleticism was sufficient to assert a unanimous choice in 1994.
Even previous to that, Jones had captured the world middleweight title in opposition to Bernard Hopkins, outpointing him with only one hand, earlier than finally campaigning at a extra snug weight of 175lbs.
It was there the place gorgeous victories over the likes of Antonio Tarver and Virgil Hill established him as maybe the best light-heavyweight of all time, his unbelievable velocity usually making for a largely one-sided affair.
However nonetheless, Jones believes that one man – and one man solely – ought to be thought to be the extra well-rounded competitor in his prime.
Whereas talking with ATSFight, the previous multi-weight world champion was requested whether or not Pernell Whitaker was a greater fighter in his prime, to which he mentioned: “[It’s] shut.”
Then, after dismissing the likes of Lennox Lewis and Oleksandr Usyk, Jones interjected as quickly as he heard the title ‘Muhammad Ali’.
“Now you may cease – that’s the one place you may cease at. The remainder of them are superior, they’re nice fighters, however [not better than him].
“Within the ring, it’s nonetheless questionable, however [Ali’s] at all times going to be the best to me, as a result of he laid the platform for me.
“With out that platform, I’d have by no means been me, so he’ll at all times be the GOAT in my eyes.”
Certainly, Ali is broadly thought to be one of many all-time greats, particularly when contemplating his legacy-defining triumphs over heavyweights corresponding to George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Ken Norton and Sonny Liston.
