On Wednesday in Sydney, Australia, eight-time world champion Roy Jones Jr. lost to Danny Green. 

The loss was surprising enough.  But the fashion in which it occurred was even more surprising.  Green, the IBO cruiserweight champion stopped Jones in the first round via technical knockout.  The Australian knocked the superstar to the canvas with a strong right hand in the first minute of the bout.  Upon returning to his feet, Jones was greeted by a flurry of blows from Green – and the match was ultimately stopped by the referee 2 minutes into the opening round.

Including three losses in a row in 2004 and 2005, Jones has lost 5 of his last 10 fights.  He has dropped himself into a level of mediocrity that is certainly undeserving of a boxer with his pedigree and history of accomplishment. 

From 1989 to 2003, Jones achieved legendary status by winning 49 of his 50 matches – his only loss coming by disqualification when he punched Montell Griffin while he was down on the canvas.  During that era, Roy Jones Jr. was boxing.  He was the most electrifying, show-stopping, dominating athlete not named Michael Jordan.

Roy Jones Jr. suffered his sixth career loss this week.

Jones’ combination of speed, power and technique made him the most complete boxer during his era.  The Pensacola, Florida native was a revered showman – and one day he even played in a basketball game in the morning and then defended his title in a boxing contest later in the evening.  This was the type of spectacle that we all expected to see from Jones.  His dominance became so commonplace that we beagn to grade him for his ring entrance and attire.  We knew Jones would come down the aisle in style, and he disposed of his foes with the same amount of style.

Now at 40 years of age, Roy’s greatness seems to be limited to his character on EA Sports’ Fight Night games.  He has hit the canvas multiple times this decade, and that doesn’t look to be coming to an end.  In fact, news outlets are suggesting that Jones has challenged Green for a rematch.

Danny Green:

“I almost feel bad doing that, that almost hurt me to do that to someone whom I aspire to look up to as a professional fighter inside and outside the ring. He’s a bloody legend.”

Maybe not during this fight…but if a rematch happens, blood may very well make an appearance.