“His Legacy Is Definitely Tainted”: Roy Jones Jr Leaves Fans Disappointed as He Prepares to Take On a Bodybuilder in a Boxing Match

Roy Jones Jr. perseveres. In November 2020, he faced off against boxing legend Mike Tyson in an exhibition bout. Billed as Lockdown Knockdown, the fight shattered all expectations and managed to register 1 million PPV buys. In April 2023, he made his return after 5 years against Anthony Pettis, losing the fight via majority decision. And now, the 2003 Fighter of the Year will step in the ring for the second time this year against IFBB pro Robert ‘NDO Champ’ Wilmote. Wilmote led with, “Sometimes you gotta teach the legend a lesson!!” 

There are fighters like David Haye, who retired back in 2012, then returned to the ring in 2016, and Floyd Mayweather who has been fighting exhibition fights after his retirement. All have received a lot of criticism from fans. As one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the history of boxing, he is known for his exceptional hand speed, athleticism, and defensive skills. However, fans have their apprehensions about his return as well. Here’s why.

54-year-old Jones Jr. to face 39-year-old Wilmote in a high-stakes showdown

Jones Jr. has already carved himself an unmatched legacy. Stepping into his professional career as an Olympic silver medalist, he went on to clinch world championships in four divisions from middleweight to heavyweight. Some believe Jones Jr. is taking a huge risk of tarnishing his legacy while making a return at 54. After all, even the powerhouse George Foreman had to retire at the age of 48.

However, ‘Captain Hook’ is gearing up for a celebrity boxing match against an opponent of much larger stature, while being a ‘shadow’ of his former self. The fight will have five intense one-minute rounds between Roy and ‘NDO Champ’. In terms of background and experience, Roy Jones Jr. clearly holds the upper hand going into the fight.

Read More: Boxing Titan vs. Muscle Dynamo: Roy Jones Jr.’s Showdown With Robert Wilmote Is a Head Turner to Watch Out For

On the other side of the ring stands NDO Champ, a well-known IFBB bodybuilder and social media fitness star. Renowned for his imposing physique and entertaining presence, he has also ventured into the world of boxing in the past. Engaging in various training sessions in the boxing ring, he possesses limited competition experience overall. In a previous interview with Generation Iron, ‘NDO Champ’ revealed that he had been eagerly anticipating the opportunity to announce this fight to the world and expressed his excitement that the news is finally out in the open. In an official statement, he boldly declared, “I can’t wait to knock out Roy Jones Jr!”.

Recently, the two faced off again as they prepare for their Metaverse bout next Friday. The bodybuilder made a bold claim towards the end. He said, “Aye listen, I’m bigger, I’m faster, I’m stronger, I’m everything.” The video was shared by IFL TV on Twitter. Fans however are not all impressed with the match-up. There was a swarm of mixed reactions in the comments from fans.

Is Roy headed to get his ‘legacy tainted’?

The announcement has sparked a range of emotions, with some expressing disappointment and concern about the fate of his legacy following this bout. Roy Jones Jr. has had an illustrious and long career. He has participated in 76 bouts so far, with a record of 66-10 (47 KO wins, 5 KO losses) over the course of 33 years!

However, one fan disagreed with the previous comment. He claimed that “no way is his legacy stained”. He believed that it is alright for Jones to fight for money, as he is no longer in his prime.

Such sentiments are often shared by Mayweather’s fans as well. A user named Scott claimed that ‘NDO Champ’ will be “blowing hard after one round.” He claimed that the fight looks like an “easy money grab”.

However, to some, this fight may remind them of Rocky 3 where ‘Rocky’ faced ‘Thunderlips’ who was much bigger in size in comparison to him. Meanwhile, one fan shared their concern that Jones may sustain serious injuries and further tarnish his legacy.

Fans shared their mixed responses towards the fight. What do you think about the bout in the meta-verse? Do you think it tarnishes Jones’ legacy? In addition, how do you see this fight playing out? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

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