Jones’ shock KO leaves career in tatters
THE LEGENDARY career of nine-time world champion Roy Jones Jr is in tatters after he was knocked out by Australia’s Danny Green in the first round of their cruiserweight title fight.
Jones, widely regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in history, lasted just two minutes and two seconds before being stopped by defending champion Green in Sydney last night.
The American, 40, looked well short of his best as his attempt to become the first fighter to win world titles at every division from middleweight to heavyweight ended in only his third ever knockdown, from 60 fights.
Green, who went into the bout as the underdog, felled Jones with a huge overhand right to the temple and, although the veteran got to his feet, he was helpless and referee Howard Foster had little option but to stop the fight.
The Western Australian, 36, only came out of a 13-month retirement in April, and said: “I am just overwhelmed. This is the greatest victory in my entire life.”
Jones had been due to fight fellow great Bernard Hopkins, but Green added: “One hundred per cent, that fight’s off. And you know what, Bernard Hopkins just s**t his pants.”