Oscar De La Hoya Dragged In as Roy Jones Jr. Reveals Why He Left Bob Arum’s Top Rank

$750,000! That’s how much Floyd Mayweather gambled in a life-changing decision to leave Top Rank. Ever since then, Money May kickstarted his record-breaking journey. While the circumstances surrounding his departure from Bob Arum’s promotional stable remain a topic of discussion, another boxing legend’s similar move warrants attention. It’s none other than Roy Jones Jr.

The boxing world has long been plagued by controversy and surprise twists. A notable example is Roy Jones Jr.’s highly publicized departure from Bob Arum’s Top Rank. While many speculated about the reasons behind his exit, the truth remained a mystery until now. Interestingly, this saga also ensnared another boxing legend: Oscar De La Hoya.

A snub too far

Roy Jones Jr.’s departure from Top Rank has been a topic of discussion among boxing enthusiasts for years. Finally, in a candid conversation with Andre Ward on the All the Smoke Fight podcast, the Pensacola native poured his heart out over Bob Arum’s betrayal.

As he sat down with Ward, he opened up about the events that led to his departure from Top Rank, and the story is nothing short of astonishing. “I was with Bob Arum and Top Rank, right… So, we had a three-fight deal, fought two fights, [and] the third fight, we fought in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi,” Jones Jr. told Ward on the ATSF podcast.

“I fought a lot of my career… My amateur career was fought in Mississippi. Mississippi is a straight drive over an hour and 20 minutes over this way to the west, and you have Mississippi. I was raised up in Mississippi. Top Rank branded me as based out of Mississippi—And made the Golden Boy [referring to Oscar De La Hoya] the main event and made me the co-main event. I am the IBF middleweight champion of the world!” Roy Jones Jr. exclaimed.

According to the 55-year-old icon, the final straw was when Top Rank almost made Oscar De La Hoya the main event while relegating him to the co-main event. Notably, De La Hoya beat Renaldo Carter via TKO, while Jones Jr. knocked out Thulani Malinga in the event headliner at Casino Magic in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, on August 14, 1993.

Consequently, this decision was particularly galling for Roy Jones Jr., who was not only a world champion at the time but also branded as a native of Mississippi, where the fight took place. Meanwhile, the Golden Boy was a rising star, with only eight fights before this event.

Roy Jones Jr. reflects on God’s plan

Frustrated over his relationship with Bob Arum, Roy Jones Jr. gambled his contract with Top Rank—with James Toney being his last fight with the promotion. Notably, Oscar De La Hoya also featured on the same card, where he retained his WBO lightweight title by beating Carl Griffith via TKO.

Meanwhile, the boxing legend etched his name in the history books with a dramatic knockdown en route to a decision victory over then-IBF super middleweight champion James Toney. Proving his mettle again, Jones finally decided to split with Bob Arum’s Top Rank. However, the betrayal left the boxing legend heartbroken—making him reflect on the God almighty’s plan for his future.

Andre Ward, taken aback by Jones Jr.’s revelation, asked if he had indeed been upset by the decision. “You weren’t feeling it?” Ward asked. Jones Jr.’s response was telling as he recounted his inner turmoil. Jones Jr. replied, “What? Are you kidding me? But, once again, God always gonna get me ready for what’s coming for me. God knew how it was gonna make me feel.”

“So, after that, you don’t know it. But ain’t nothing you can do to make me sign with you again. You just… x my name out of the contract. So, soon, just the fight date is up—I am not messing with you,” Jones Jr. concluded.

After finally knowing the truth behind Roy Jones Jr.’s departure from the Top Rank stable, what do you think about the entire situation?