Roy Jones Jr. would likely be a lot of boxing fans’ top pick when it comes to greatest fighter of all time as he was a true legend of the game.
Retiring with a record of 66-10, Jones Jr. was able to pick up ‘Knockout of the Year’ awards, as well as become world champion in four different weight classes.
Some standout performances from the fighter include Jones Jr. beating James Toney and Bernard Hopkins, as well as stopping Clinton Woods.
In another impressive performance, Jones Jr. was able to stop a dangerous title challenger coming off a notable win.
Roy Jones Jr. defended his super middleweight title against Vinny Pazienza in 1995
A first-round TKO win over Antoine Bryd in March 1995 would be the 28th win of Jones Jr.’s career, as he defended his IBF World Super Middleweight title.
For his second defense of his title, Jones Jr. would take on fellow American Vinny Pazienza. The bout took place on June 24th, 1995, in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The ‘Pazmanian Devil’ was six years older than the champion, going into the bout with a record of 40-5. However, recent form saw him defeat Roberto Duran twice in his previous three fights.
The challenger was also a former lightweight and super welterweight champion and was now looking for a super middleweight title.
However, it was a great showing from Jones Jr. to extend his unbeaten record to 29-0. After leading the bout in the five completed rounds, the champion closed the show in the sixth.
Jones Jr. scored three brutal knockdowns in the round, as with just two seconds remaining in the round, the champion was announced the winner.
Roberto Duran hits harder than Roy Jones Jr., according to Vinny Pazienza
In a 2019 interview with Fight Hub TV, Pazienza admitted that it was Duran who hit harder between him and Jones Jr.
Despite beating Duran twice, and being stopped by Jones Jr., the former champion felt ‘El Cholo’ was the bigger puncher.
“He hit me the hardest that anyone has hit me. 1000%.” Pazienza said.
The fighter specifically mentioned a punch in their second meeting that stunned him as Pazienza said, “He hit me with a shot, and I don’t even know where I was.”