Roy Jones Jr.'s Big 5: Part 5

Roy Jones Jr.'s Big 5: Part 5

How Superman dealt James Toney his first loss, and in emphatic fashion

Roy Jones Jr., Superman, RJ, Captain Cook, or just Junior. All of these titles have been used when it comes to the Pensacola, Florida-born boxer. Jones is one of the most successful fighters of the recent past in a sport where people are looking for the spectacle, the knockout victories, which in Roy's career are 47 of 66 total successes, and most of all the championship mentality. All of these qualities are present when we talk about Superman's career. His matches are undoubtedly filled with many exciting moments, and in a series of articles we have already talked about four of his most intriguing encounters. Only the greatest remained.

It takes us far back in time, to November 18, 1994. Jones' opponent is the far more experienced James Toney, who already has 46 fights in the professional ring and is undefeated. The bout takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Paradise, Nevada and features the World Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight world title. Roy was a contender for the honor and had won his first 26 bouts at the time, but was ranked eighth in the Ring magazine rankings. Superman is also a former IBF world middleweight champion, and now it's time for him to take the next step. Tony is five positions ahead according to the Ring, and that seems to make him the favorite, if only by a little bit.

However, James' problems are related to reaching the desired weight of 79 kilograms, which in the end played a bad joke. The '90s Bad Boy' as Tony is known has already proven himself in the professional middleweight ring having won the title defeating Michael Nunn and then defended it in fights with Reggie Johnson and Mike McCallum. Success also followed in the upper division against Ronnie Thornton, who lost the IBF belt.

Despite all that praise, Jones managed to completely dominate over 12 rounds at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Even though Tony gets hit very hard after a great left hook from the title contender, he stays on his feet. Referee Richard Steele only awards a knockdown as James stays upright and just needs to show he can continue after the referee counts to eight.

This is only the second knockdown of Tony's entire career to this point, only Reggie Johnson has managed to so seriously shake the boxer from Michigan. After that moment, the dominance of Roy Jones becomes logically even more tangible. Speed and successful combinations, as well as successful defense against Tony's great attacks, lead to a decisive victory by unanimous decision.

The cards of the three judges show different scores: 119:108, 118:109 and even 117:110, although it is abundantly clear whose hand will be raised. The match is simply a masterpiece that suggests that Roy Jones Jr. is ready to show us a lot more, ready to achieve even greater victories. After 27 successes in 27 matches and titles in two different divisions, his name echoes in the world of this combat sport. And many great moments await him. This outright dominance against an undefeated boxer, however, is arguably his most significant, greatest and most unprecedented non-knockout victory.