Roy Jones Jr dismantled boxing’s oldest-ever world champion with ‘one hand’ to achieve career milestone
Roy Jones Jr came into his maiden world title shot carrying an injury, but he delivered a masterclass to clinch the crown. Jones Jr had a perfect record of 21 victories with no defeats and was continuing to build his reputation as a majestic talent, following his controversial defeat in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Jones Jr was injured and faced an uphill battle against HopkinsGetty He received his first ever attempt at becoming world champion in 1993 in a huge fight with fellow American operator Bernard Hopkins, who was generating equal interest. Hopkins had been defeated just once by majority decision on his professional debut, and the pair were vying for the chance to seize the IBF strap. Rumours viciously circulated that Jones Jr was carrying an injury into the bout, but he refused to lay down and withdraw, ploughing ahead with the event. But despite being ranked second out of the pair in line for the crown, he delivered a punch-perfect display. Jones was able to use his speed and strength in tandem to beat Hopkins to the punch in several rounds, taking control of large periods of the contest. He looked considerably heavier on the night and despite not looking entirely at his fluid best, was able to capture the IBF strap. The boxing icon had been delighted with his performance as he was declared the victor by unanimous decision with all cards at 116-112 in his favour. With huge pride, he raised the belt, and was able to do it in seriously adverse circumstances. He claimed at the time and has since reaffirmed that he had suffered a pre-fight injury to his right hand. And the boxing legend, who astonishingly went on to win world titles in four weight classes, insisted he was able to win by largely just using one hand. Jones Jr outclassed Hopkins but later claimed he largely used one handGetty He told Ring Magazine: “I remember when my best friend Derrick “Smoke” Gainer, he knew my right hand was completely gone. “He said, ‘Why you taking the fight now.’ I said, ‘If you try to wait for the perfect situation and turn it down, I may never get this opportunity again. “In this world you don’t always get second chances and it’s not always the perfect chance but it’s your time to go.’ He said, ‘But still your hands bad, why would you fight him with one hand?’ I said, ‘Truthfully, I should be able to beat him with one hand.’ and I did. “[Hopkins] had an entourage, two big bodyguards. I knew I had a hurt hand I went to him and said, ‘I’ve been watching you, you aren’t bad. If you deal with my speed, you might have a chance. “I already knew I was the best fighter in the world so for me to be on anybody’s undercard was almost disrespectful to me because it was Riddick Bowe, and he was heavyweight champion and he’s my friend; I was cool with it. In most cases, I wouldn’t have been cool with it. “The fight happened; he didn’t know I’m one handed but I do [Laughs.] I basically beat him with one hand. That put me on the scene because now I’ve achieved what every former amateur wanted to accomplish when they turn pro. Jones Jr became champion for the first time, but belts continued to fall his wayGetty “My goal was to world champion. One accomplishment down, plenty more to go. I didn’t celebrate; I went for a run the next day.” Jones Jr pulled off a remarkable feat, a sight that boxing fans became familiar with throughout his stellar career. Unfortunately for ‘Captain Hook’, Hopkins did get his revenge 17 years later outpointing him in 2010 in their rematch. Hopkins became known for his incredible longevity, and became the sport’s oldest ever world champion aged 49 in 2013. He was ranked as a real legend of the game alongside Jones, who incredibly becoming the first boxer to win titles at both middleweight and heavyweight in 100 years. Hopkins retired in 2016 after an equally resounding spell in the sport, with Jones Jr hanging up his gloves in 2018. But the latter has since returned facing heavyweight legend Mike Tyson in a lucrative exhibition in 2020. Three years later, he made a full professional return, losing to ex-UFC fighter Anthony Pettis in 2023. But his legacy as a pound-for-pound great will remain. Follow talkBOXING on social media talkBOXING is now on Twitter and Facebook. Follow us on social media for big breaking boxing news, exclusive interviews and the best bits from our talkBOXING YouTube show. Like our Facebook page HERE Follow us on Twitter HERE Sign up for our WhatsApp channel HERE
Roy Jones Jr came into his maiden world title shot carrying an injury, but he delivered a masterclass to clinch the crown.
Jones Jr had a perfect record of 21 victories with no defeats and was continuing to build his reputation as a majestic talent, following his controversial defeat in the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
He received his first ever attempt at becoming world champion in 1993 in a huge fight with fellow American operator Bernard Hopkins, who was generating equal interest.
Hopkins had been defeated just once by majority decision on his professional debut, and the pair were vying for the chance to seize the IBF strap.
Rumours viciously circulated that Jones Jr was carrying an injury into the bout, but he refused to lay down and withdraw, ploughing ahead with the event.
But despite being ranked second out of the pair in line for the crown, he delivered a punch-perfect display.
Jones was able to use his speed and strength in tandem to beat Hopkins to the punch in several rounds, taking control of large periods of the contest.
He looked considerably heavier on the night and despite not looking entirely at his fluid best, was able to capture the IBF strap.
The boxing icon had been delighted with his performance as he was declared the victor by unanimous decision with all cards at 116-112 in his favour.
With huge pride, he raised the belt, and was able to do it in seriously adverse circumstances.
He claimed at the time and has since reaffirmed that he had suffered a pre-fight injury to his right hand.
And the boxing legend, who astonishingly went on to win world titles in four weight classes, insisted he was able to win by largely just using one hand.
He told Ring Magazine: “I remember when my best friend Derrick “Smoke” Gainer, he knew my right hand was completely gone.
“He said, ‘Why you taking the fight now.’ I said, ‘If you try to wait for the perfect situation and turn it down, I may never get this opportunity again.
“In this world you don’t always get second chances and it’s not always the perfect chance but it’s your time to go.’ He said, ‘But still your hands bad, why would you fight him with one hand?’ I said, ‘Truthfully, I should be able to beat him with one hand.’ and I did.
“[Hopkins] had an entourage, two big bodyguards. I knew I had a hurt hand I went to him and said, ‘I’ve been watching you, you aren’t bad. If you deal with my speed, you might have a chance.
“I already knew I was the best fighter in the world so for me to be on anybody’s undercard was almost disrespectful to me because it was Riddick Bowe, and he was heavyweight champion and he’s my friend; I was cool with it. In most cases, I wouldn’t have been cool with it.
“The fight happened; he didn’t know I’m one handed but I do [Laughs.] I basically beat him with one hand. That put me on the scene because now I’ve achieved what every former amateur wanted to accomplish when they turn pro.
“My goal was to world champion. One accomplishment down, plenty more to go. I didn’t celebrate; I went for a run the next day.”
Jones Jr pulled off a remarkable feat, a sight that boxing fans became familiar with throughout his stellar career.
Unfortunately for ‘Captain Hook’, Hopkins did get his revenge 17 years later outpointing him in 2010 in their rematch.
Hopkins became known for his incredible longevity, and became the sport’s oldest ever world champion aged 49 in 2013.
He was ranked as a real legend of the game alongside Jones, who incredibly becoming the first boxer to win titles at both middleweight and heavyweight in 100 years.
Hopkins retired in 2016 after an equally resounding spell in the sport, with Jones Jr hanging up his gloves in 2018.
But the latter has since returned facing heavyweight legend Mike Tyson in a lucrative exhibition in 2020.
Three years later, he made a full professional return, losing to ex-UFC fighter Anthony Pettis in 2023.
But his legacy as a pound-for-pound great will remain.
