via Getty
MASHANTUCKET, CT – AUGUST 16: Roy Jones Jr. during his match against Eric Watkins in the season two finale of NUVOtvs Knockout at Foxwoods Resort Casino on August 16, 2015 in Mashantucket, Connecticut. Jones won by a knockout in the sixth round. (Rich Schultz/Getty Images for NUVOtv)
via Getty
MASHANTUCKET, CT – AUGUST 16: Roy Jones Jr. during his match against Eric Watkins in the season two finale of NUVOtvs Knockout at Foxwoods Resort Casino on August 16, 2015 in Mashantucket, Connecticut. Jones won by a knockout in the sixth round. (Rich Schultz/Getty Images for NUVOtv)
Roy Jones Jr. is one of the best boxers of his generation. Defeating fighters like Reggie Johnson, James Toney, etc. The four-division champion was resilient and hard working. Hence, Jones doesn’t credit all of his success to talent alone.
via Imago
LAS VEGAS – NOVEMBER 18,1994: Roy Jones Jr. celebrates winning the fight against James Toney at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Roy Jones Jr.won the IBF super middleweight title by a UD 12.
(Photo by: The Ring Magazine via Getty Images)
Recently, fans called Jones an extremely gifted fighter, a comment that the American fighter didn’t take too kindly.
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Why did Roy Jones Jr. feel disrespected by the fans?
The 53-year-old has worked tirelessly his entire career spanning over two decades. Therefore, when fans praised Jones by calling him “Gifted”, the four-division champion felt insulted by the comments. During an interview with SHOWTIME Boxing, Roy Jones Jr. explained the reason he felt disrespected.
.@RealRoyJonesJr doesn't want to be considered a gifted fighter.
"That's disrespecting my hard work." 💯
Watch his full interview with @EricRaskin and @kieranmulvaney ➡️ https://t.co/HGN70ruy4o pic.twitter.com/59pUew75s5
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) June 12, 2022
According to him, by calling him gifted, the fans were discrediting the hours of hard work he put in to hone his craft and be the best. He said, “That’s disrespecting my hard work. You understand me. So people say oh he’s the most gifted. I mean it’s cool, but that’s bullsh*t. It’s bullsh*t because I got more hours in the gym going over the stuff back-and-forth day in and day out than anybody you know.”
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Additionally, Jones went on to add that apart from Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali, no other fighter has worked harder in the ring than him. He said, “Who up there today besides Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali can give you highlights that come close to make you wanna watch them.”
Jones’ greatest moments in the ring
Jones has a career highlight reel every boxer dreams of. ‘Captain Hook’ has defeated great boxers over the years to accumulate 66 wins in 75 fights. One of his best moments came when he won his world championship, the IBF middleweight title, by defeating Bernard Hopkins via decision.
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Additionally, another huge moment in the 53-year-old’s career came following his first defeat against Montell Griffin as he was disqualified for punching Griffin when he was knocked down. However, Jones got his hands on Griffin again as he violently defeated Griffin via knockdown and won the WBC light heavyweight championship again.
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What do you think about Roy Jones Jr’s comments about fans calling him gifted? Let us know in the comments below.
