Roy Jones Jr. won his first world title in 1993, and so began an illustrious career for one of boxing’s most successful fighters.
Roy Jones Jr. was 21-0 when he fought for the IBF middleweight world title, the first title of his career. His win, which came on this day 32 years ago was the first of many, as Jones Jr. went on to defeat James Toney, Vinny Pazienza, John Ruiz and Antonio Tarver, who KO’d Jones in their rematch.
However, the man Jones Jr. beat on that day 32 years ago was not one to give up, and did not go away. Instead, that man trained and fought for years, before the pair came face to face once more.
Roy Jones Jr. lost to Bernard Hopkins 17 years after beating him for the world title
Bernard Hopkins is one of boxing’s most formidable fighters, known as ‘The Executioner’ for his sheer aggression, and as ‘The Alien’ for his freak ability, Hopkins proved his resilience from day one, when he lost his pro debut but decided to continue to box.
Hopkins went undefeated for 21 more fights before losing to Jones Jr., who won by a close but decisive unanimous decision.
The pair met for the second time in 2010, 17 years after the initial 1993 encounter. At the time, Hopkins was 45 years old and Jones, who KO’d a boxer-turned-police officer, was 41.
Hopkins, 50-5-1, had waited almost 20 years to exact revenge on the 54-6 Jones, and ensured, just as he did after losing his pro debut, that this time would be different. Hopkins won a clear unanimous decision over his former enemy.
Bernard Hopkins wanted to face an unexpected fighter next after beating Roy Jones Jr.
According to BoxRec, Hopkins said after the victory that he wanted to face heavyweight world champion David Haye next.
Thankfully this fight didn’t happen next, as it may not have ended well for Hopkins. Hopkins did however have nine more fights after beating Jones, but retired after Joe Smith Jr. sent Hopkins out of the ring.