Roy Jones Jr.'s Big 5: Part 4

Roy Jones Jr.'s Big 5: The debut title at the heaviest

How to win the heavyweight title in Superman's first match in the division

For 75 bouts in the professional ring in five different divisions, Roy Jones Jr. has provided immense enjoyment and a real spectacle to boxing fans. The 1984 Florida Youth Olympic champion in the bantamweight category is among the most attractive competitors of the recent past. In a series of articles, we recall his five most pivotal clashes that left a lasting mark on history.

We've also reached match number two in the ranking, which pits Roy against another American – John Ruiz. The fight is for the WBA world heavyweight title. After many years in other divisions, it's time for Jones to challenge someone in the heaviest. John Ruiz has over 40 fights in the pro ring and before the fight, the Chelsea, Massachusetts native had only 4 losses in his career. He is the holder of the belt of the World Boxing Association in the category, and his opponent is the 15 kilograms lighter "Superman". Roy, however, enters the fight as the holder of two titles - the World Boxing Association super light heavyweight and the World Boxing Council light heavyweight.

Since the end of 2002 Roy has been the undisputed world champion in the lower division and it is time to take the next step. A decision which, in view of his 47 successes in 48 games, makes him ideal to challenge world champion John Ruiz. The match between them is scheduled for March 1, 2003 and will be played at the Thomas and Max Center in Paradise, Nevada. In addition to weighing only 88 kilograms compared to Ruis's 103, Jones is also 8 centimeters shorter - 180 against 188 for the world champion.

Despite being behind in physical terms, the technique of "Superman" is more than remarkable. It was thanks to her that he dominated most of the fight as his straight punches and uppercuts often found Ruiz's head. The defending champion has struggled to match the more nimble Jones and managed just 89 accurate hits from 433 attempts, which is less than 21%.

In the fourth round, a jab from Roy led to the first major problem for Ruiz, who was bleeding from the nose. This proved to be a major problem in the remaining eight rounds, and although they were played out and the bout ended after a full 12 rounds, it became clear whose hand would be raised by the referee. The judges' cards show the following results: 118:100, 117:111 and 116:112 in favor of the challenger. That means a unanimous decision win. The unofficial referee hired by HBO, which broadcasts the match, gave an even more convincing success on points - 119:109 for the holder of titles in three lighter categories.

The victory not only brought Roy Jones the heavyweight title, but also made him the first boxer to become the middleweight world champion, and then triumphed at the heaviest in the entire 106-year history of the division. He also became only the second competitor to win the title in his first match since moving from light heavyweight to heavyweight. The first to do this was Michael Spinks in 1985, when the legendary boxer knocked Larry Holmes from the top.

Although many people are of the opinion that Roy Jones Jr. is closer to the end of his career, he shows something that manages to impress the whole world.

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