History of Roy Jones Jr. in Timeline
Roy Jones Jr., an American professional boxer, is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters ever. He achieved multiple world championships across four weight divisions: middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight. Notably, he holds the unique distinction of being the sole boxer to begin his career at light middleweight and eventually secure a heavyweight title. In his amateur days, he represented the United States in the 1988 Summer Olympics, earning a silver medal in the light middleweight category, though his loss in the final remains a highly debated decision in boxing history.
January 16, 1969: Birth of Roy Jones Jr.
Roy Levesta Jones Jr. was born on January 16, 1969. He would go on to become a professional boxer, holding multiple world championships in four weight classes.
1984: National Junior Olympics Victory
At the young age of 15, Roy Jones Jr. won the 1984 United States National Junior Olympics in the 119 lb weight division, demonstrating his early talent and potential in boxing.
1985: Historic Heavyweight Title Victory
On March 1, 2003, Roy Jones Jr. made history by defeating John Ruiz to win the WBA Heavyweight title. This victory made him the first former middleweight title holder to win a Heavyweight title in 106 years and the first fighter to start his career as a light middleweight and achieve this feat. His accomplishment mirrored Michael Spinks' in 1985, becoming the second reigning light heavyweight champion to claim a major heavyweight championship in his first fight in the division. Jones' win over Ruiz, who had previously defeated Evander Holyfield, solidified his place in boxing history as one of the sport's most versatile and accomplished fighters.
April 12, 1986: Goodwill Box-offs
Roy Jones Jr. participated in the Goodwill Box-offs in the 156 lbs weight division, which took place at Caesars Tahoe, Lake Tahoe, Nevada, on April 12, 1986.
1986: Goodwill Games in Moscow
Roy Jones Jr. participated in the 1986 Goodwill Games held in Moscow, Soviet Union, in the 139 lbs weight division, showcasing his talent on an international stage.
1986: National Golden Gloves in Cedar Rapids
Roy Jones Jr. participated in the National Golden Gloves tournament held in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on May 9-10, 1986.
1986: First National Golden Gloves Title
Roy Jones Jr. won the 1986 United States National Golden Gloves in the 139 lb division, adding a prestigious amateur title to his burgeoning boxing career.
June 26, 1987: Junior World Championships
Roy Jones Jr. participated in the Junior World Championships in the 156 lbs weight division, which took place in Havana, Cuba, on June 26, 1987.
1987: National Golden Gloves in Knoxville
Roy Jones Jr. participated in the National Golden Gloves tournament held in Knoxville, Tennessee, on April 17-18, 1987.
1987: Second National Golden Gloves Title
Roy Jones Jr. secured his second United States National Golden Gloves title in 1987, this time in the 156 lb division, showcasing his skills and dominance at a higher weight class.
March 29, 1988: U.S. National Championships
Roy Jones Jr. competed in the U.S. National Championships in the 156 lbs weight division, held at the Olympic Sports Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on March 29, 1988.
July 16, 1988: Olympic Box-offs
Roy Jones Jr. participated in the Olympic Box-offs in the 156 lbs weight division, which took place at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 16, 1988.
1988: Olympic Trials in Concord
Roy Jones Jr. participated in the Olympic Trials for boxing in the 156 lbs weight division, held at the Concord Pavilion in Concord, California, from July 5th to 10th, 1988.
1988: 1988 Seoul Olympics
As the youngest member of the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team, Roy Jones Jr. won the silver medal in the light middleweight division at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.
1988: National Golden Gloves in Omaha
Roy Jones Jr. participated in the National Golden Gloves tournament held in Omaha, Nebraska, on May 16-20, 1988.
1988: Amateur Boxing Success and Controversial Olympics
In 1988, Roy Jones Jr. represented the United States at the Summer Olympics in the light middleweight division. He reached the finals but lost a controversial decision to Park Yong-sam, which is considered one of the biggest robberies in boxing history.
1988: Val Barker Trophy
Despite the controversial loss at the 1988 Olympics, Roy Jones Jr. was awarded the Val Barker trophy, recognizing him as the best stylistic boxer in the games. This marked a rare occurrence where the award didn't go to a gold medalist.
May 6, 1989: Professional Debut
Roy Jones Jr. began his professional boxing career on May 6, 1989, knocking out Ricky Randall in two rounds at the Bayfront Auditorium in Pensacola.
January 10, 1992: Pay-Per-View Debut and Victory over Jorge Vaca
On January 10, 1992, Roy Jones Jr. faced former World Welterweight Champion Jorge Vaca in his first Pay-Per-View fight, winning by knockout in the first round and extending his knockout streak to 16 wins.
May 22, 1993: IBF Middleweight Championship Victory
Roy Jones Jr. won his first world title on May 22, 1993, defeating Bernard Hopkins by unanimous decision in Washington, D.C., to claim the IBF middleweight championship. Despite entering the fight with a broken right hand, Jones showcased his technical skills and resilience to secure the victory.
November 18, 1994: Showdown with James Toney
On November 18, 1994, Roy Jones Jr. faced undefeated IBF super middleweight Champion James Toney in a highly anticipated match dubbed "The Uncivil War." This fight was a significant test for Jones, as he was considered the underdog for the first time in his career.
1994: Successful Title Defenses and Dominant Performances
Throughout 1994, Roy Jones Jr. defended his IBF title with impressive victories. He knocked out Danny "Popeye" Garcia in six rounds and then successfully defended his title against Thomas Tate, winning by knockout in two rounds in Las Vegas on May 27th.
1994: Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year
Roy Jones Jr.'s exceptional performances in 1994 earned him the prestigious recognition of "Fighter of the Year" by The Ring magazine.
1995: Dominant Title Defenses and Historical Feat
Roy Jones Jr. continued his reign in 1995, successfully defending his super middleweight title multiple times. He secured a first-round knockout victory over Antoine Byrd in Pensacola, marking the first championship fight in his hometown. In a memorable bout against Vinny Pazienza, Jones made history by becoming the first fighter in CompuBox history to go an entire round without being hit by his opponent, ultimately winning the fight in six rounds. He finished the year with another impressive victory, knocking out Tony Thornton in three rounds.
November 1996: Interim WBC Light Heavyweight Champion
In November 1996, Roy Jones Jr. faced former three-weight world champion Mike McCallum at the Ice Palace in Tampa, Florida. Jones secured a shutout decision victory, winning the vacant Interim WBC Light Heavyweight title after knocking down McCallum in the 10th round. He was later upgraded to full champion.
1996: Victorious Year in Boxing
In 1996, Roy Jones Jr. continued his winning streak, defeating Merqui Sosa and Eric Lucas. Notably, he became the first athlete to participate in two paid sports events on the same day by playing basketball in the morning and defending his boxing title in the evening. He also strategically held a press conference in the ring, addressing questions about his opponent choices and later defeating Bryant Brannon.
1996: First Best Boxer ESPY Award
In 1996, Roy Jones Jr. received his first Best Boxer ESPY Award, showcasing his popularity and recognition beyond the boxing world.
1996: U.S. Olympic Committee Calls for Investigation
In 1996, the U.S. Olympic Committee requested an investigation into the 1988 Seoul Olympics after documents from East Germany's Stasi secret police suggested judges were bribed to favor South Korean boxers.
1997: IOC Investigation into 1988 Olympics
An official IOC investigation concluding in 1997 found no evidence of corruption in the boxing events at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, despite allegations of judges being influenced.
1997: First Professional Loss
Roy Jones Jr. experienced his first professional loss in 1997 against Montell Griffin in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Despite leading on the scorecards and having Griffin down in the ninth round, Jones was disqualified for hitting Griffin while he was taking a knee. This marked a significant setback in Jones' otherwise successful career.
1998: Comeback and Unification
Roy Jones Jr. made a strong comeback in 1998, knocking out Virgil Hill and winning against Lou Del Valle to unify the WBC and WBA light heavyweight titles. Despite being knocked down for the first time in his career during the Del Valle fight, Jones showcased resilience and boxing prowess to secure the victory. He ended the year with another knockout win against Otis Grant, solidifying his champion status.
1999: Undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion
In 1999, Roy Jones Jr. continued his dominance, knocking out Rick Frazier and then defeating IBF champion Reggie Johnson to become the undisputed light heavyweight champion. This victory made him the first to unify the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles in that weight class since Michael Spinks in 1983, further solidifying his place in boxing history.
1999: Undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion
In 1999, Roy Jones Jr. unified the WBA, WBC, and IBF light heavyweight titles, becoming the undisputed champion of the division.
2000: Second Best Boxer ESPY Award
Roy Jones Jr.'s continued success in the ring earned him his second Best Boxer ESPY Award in 2000, solidifying his status as a top athlete in the eyes of fans and experts.
2000: Triumphs and Firsts
The year 2000 saw Roy Jones Jr. achieving significant victories despite challenges. He defeated David Telesco despite a fractured wrist, showcasing his adaptability and determination. This fight also marked the first boxing event at Radio City Music Hall. Jones continued his winning streak, with a knockout victory against Richard Hall in another first-time boxing event at the Conseco Fieldhouse. He ended the year with a stoppage win over Eric Harding, maintaining his undefeated record.
November 2001: Musical Debut and Title Defense
In 2001, Roy Jones Jr. expanded his horizons by releasing his rap album "Round One: The Album." In the ring, he continued his dominance, defending his title against Derrick Harmon with a knockout and securing a unanimous decision victory against Julio César González. This win also earned him the World Boxing Federation's light heavyweight title in November 2001, further cementing his legacy in the sport.
2001: Rap Music Debut
Roy Jones Jr. launched his rap music career in 2001 with the release of his debut album, "Round One: The Album," featuring the single "Y'All Must've Forgot."
2002: Dominating Performance and The Ring Championship
Roy Jones Jr. continued his impressive run in 2002, knocking out Australian boxer Glen Kelly in a dominant seven-round performance. Prior to this bout, Jones was awarded The Ring Championship belt, further solidifying his standing as one of the top pound-for-pound boxers of his era.
March 1, 2003: Historic Heavyweight Title Victory
On March 1, 2003, Roy Jones Jr. made history by defeating John Ruiz to win the WBA Heavyweight title. This victory made him the first former middleweight title holder to win a Heavyweight title in 106 years and the first fighter to start his career as a light middleweight and achieve this feat. Jones' win over Ruiz, who had previously defeated Evander Holyfield, solidified his place in boxing history as one of the sport's most versatile and accomplished fighters.
November 8, 2003: Return to Light Heavyweight and Title Defense
On November 8, 2003, Roy Jones Jr. returned to the light heavyweight division, facing Antonio Tarver. Despite showing signs of the toll from his heavyweight fight, Jones secured a majority decision victory, retaining his IBO and The Ring Light Heavyweight Championships, and winning Tarver's WBC and the vacant WBA (Unified) titles.
2003: Heavyweight Championship Victory
Roy Jones Jr. made history in 2003 by defeating John Ruiz to win the WBA heavyweight title. This victory made him the first former middleweight champion in 106 years to achieve this feat.
2003: World Boxing Hall of Fame Fighter of the Year
Roy Jones Jr.'s dominance in boxing earned him the "Fighter of the Year" award from the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003, recognizing his achievements and impact on the sport.
May 15, 2004: First Knockout Defeat
On May 15, 2004, Roy Jones Jr. faced Antonio Tarver in a rematch. Despite being the heavy favorite, Jones was knocked down in the second round and, for the first time in his career, was ruled unable to continue. This marked a turning point in Jones' career, signifying the potential decline of his once-dominant reign.
May 2004: Jones Jr.'s Recent Performances
Leading up to the April 2010 rematch against Hopkins, Jones Jr. had a record of 5 wins and 5 losses in his previous ten fights since May 2004.
September 25, 2004: Second Consecutive Knockout Loss
On September 25, 2004, Roy Jones Jr. aimed to reclaim the IBF light heavyweight title from Glen Johnson. However, he suffered a knockout defeat in the ninth round, marking his second consecutive loss by knockout. This fight further illustrated the challenges Jones faced as his career progressed.
2004: Forms Body Head Bangerz
In 2004, Jones formed the rap group Body Head Bangerz, releasing their debut album "Body Head Bangerz: Volume One." The album featured collaborations with prominent artists like B.G., Juvenile, Bun B, Petey Pablo, Lil' Flip, and Mike Jones.
2004: Glen Johnson vs. Roy Jones Jr.
In 2004, Glen Johnson defeated Roy Jones Jr., a victory that added significance to his fight against Omar Sheika in 2009.
September 2005: Omar Sheika's Last Fight
Omar Sheika's fight against Roy Jones Jr. in March 2009 was only his second fight since September 2005.
October 1, 2005: Roy Jones Jr. vs. Antonio Tarver III
On October 1, 2005, Roy Jones Jr. faced Antonio Tarver for the third time in a highly anticipated match at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida. This marked only the second time in his career where Jones entered the ring as the underdog.
November 19, 2005: Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Sharmba Mitchell
Roy Jones Jr. returned to his role as a commentator for HBO World Championship Boxing on November 19, 2005, for the Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Sharmba Mitchell fight.
December 3, 2005: Jermain Taylor vs. Bernard Hopkins Rematch
On December 3, 2005, Roy Jones Jr. provided commentary for the Jermain Taylor and Bernard Hopkins rematch as part of his role with HBO World Championship Boxing.
2005: Moore's Hiatus
Rodney Moore did not fight between 2005 and 2012.
January 2006: Jones Jr. Exits HBO Analyst Role
In January 2006, Roy Jones Jr.'s time as a ringside analyst for HBO World Championship Boxing came to an end. The network cited his alleged lack of commitment to attending production meetings as the reason for his departure.
June 2006: Hopkins' Recent Performances
Leading up to the April 2010 rematch against Jones Jr., Hopkins had a record of 4 wins and 1 loss since June 2006.
July 29, 2006: Roy Jones Jr. vs. Prince Badi Ajamu
Roy Jones Jr. stepped back into the ring on July 29, 2006, to face Prince Badi Ajamu at the Qwest Arena in Boise, Idaho. Jones secured a unanimous decision victory, earning the WBO NABO light heavyweight title.
July 14, 2007: Roy Jones Jr. vs. Anthony Hanshaw
On July 14, 2007, Roy Jones Jr. fought against undefeated boxer Anthony Hanshaw at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Mississippi. Jones emerged victorious with a unanimous decision, claiming the vacant International Boxing Council light heavyweight title.
January 19, 2008: Roy Jones Jr. vs. Félix Trinidad
Roy Jones Jr. faced off against former three-weight world champion Félix Trinidad at Madison Square Garden in New York City on January 19, 2008. Jones, with his size and speed advantage, won the fight by unanimous decision. This victory marked the first time a former heavyweight champion successfully returned to fight at 170 lbs.
September 20, 2008: Roy Jones Jr. vs. Joe Calzaghe (Postponed)
A fight between Roy Jones Jr. and Joe Calzaghe for The Ring Light Heavyweight Championship was scheduled for September 20, 2008, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. However, the fight was postponed due to a hand injury sustained by Calzaghe during training.
March 21, 2009: Roy Jones Jr. vs. Omar Sheika
Roy Jones Jr. triumphed over Omar Sheika in a fifth-round technical knockout on March 21, 2009, at the Civic Center in Pensacola, Florida. This victory earned him the vacant WBO NABO light heavyweight title.
August 15, 2009: Roy Jones Jr. vs. Jeff Lacy
Roy Jones Jr. faced former super middleweight champion Jeff Lacy on August 15, 2009, at the Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Mississippi. Jones won the fight after Lacy's corner stopped the fight in the 10th round, marking the first time Lacy had been knocked out or stopped in his career.
December 2, 2009: Roy Jones Jr. vs. Danny Green
Danny Green defeated Roy Jones Jr. via a first-round TKO on December 2, 2009, in Sydney, Australia. Despite initial acceptance of the loss, Jones later filed a formal complaint, alleging Green used illegal hand wraps. However, the result of the fight remained unchanged.
December 2009: Difficulties with Sparring Partners
In the lead-up to the December 2009 fight against Danny Green in Sydney, there were reported difficulties in getting Roy Jones Jr.'s sparring partners into Australia.
February 2010: Roy Jones Jr. vs. Bernard Hopkins Rematch Confirmed
Despite the loss to Danny Green, Roy Jones Jr. and Bernard Hopkins officially agreed to a rematch in February 2010, scheduled for April 3.
April 3, 2010: Roy Jones Jr. vs. Bernard Hopkins II
Seventeen years after their first encounter, Roy Jones Jr. and Bernard Hopkins met again in the ring on April 3, 2010, at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Hopkins emerged victorious with a unanimous decision, avenging his previous loss to Jones.
2010: Jones Jr. Returns as Guest Analyst
In 2010, Roy Jones Jr. made a return to HBO, this time as a guest analyst for several boxing matches.
February 2011: Negotiations for Jones Jr. vs. Denis Lebedev
In February 2011, negotiations began for a fight between Roy Jones Jr. and Denis Lebedev, ranked #4 cruiserweight by The Ring at the time, to take place in Moscow.
December 10, 2011: Roy Jones Jr. vs. Max Alexander
Roy Jones Jr. ended a three-fight losing streak on December 10, 2011, with a unanimous decision victory over Max Alexander in Atlanta. This win also earned him the Universal Boxing Organisation (UBO) Intercontinental cruiserweight championship.
2012: Moore's Return
Rodney Moore returned to fighting in 2012 after a hiatus.
December 21, 2013: Jones vs. Benmakhlouf
On December 21, 2013, Roy Jones Jr. triumphed over Zine Eddine Benmakhlouf at the Dynamo Palace of Sports in Moscow, Russia, winning the vacant WBU cruiserweight title. Jones's victory came via unanimous decision, with the judges scoring the bout 120–108, 119–109, and 118–111. The fight, billed as "Winner Takes All," saw Benmakhlouf taking a knee in the third round after a powerful left hook from Jones.
July 26, 2014: Jones vs. Fry
Roy Jones Jr. secured a victory against Courtney Fry on July 26, 2014, at the Ķīpsala International Exhibition Centre in Latvia. Jones, who was ahead on all three judges' scorecards, won the fight via RTD (Referee Technical Decision) in the 5th round.
September 26, 2014: Jones vs. Atiyo
Roy Jones Jr. triumphed over Hany Atiyo on September 26, 2014, at The Basket Hall in Krasnodar, Russia. The fight ended in the 1st round with a knockout by Jones after just 75 seconds. This marked Jones' second consecutive stoppage and fifth straight victory.
March 2015: Jones vs. Vasquez
Roy Jones Jr. last fought in Pensacola in March 2015, when he knocked out Paul Vasquez in the first round.
August 16, 2015: Jones vs. Watkins
Roy Jones Jr. achieved his 62nd professional victory and 45th knockout win by defeating Eric Watkins on August 16, 2015. The fight ended in the 6th round with a knockout by Jones.
August 19, 2015: Jones Seeks Russian Citizenship
Roy Jones Jr. met with Vladimir Putin in Sevastopol, Crimea, on August 19, 2015, to request Russian citizenship, citing his frequent business travels to Russia and the convenience a Russian passport would provide.
October 28, 2015: Jones vs. Maccarinelli (Rumor)
On October 28, 2015, a rumor circulated that Roy Jones Jr. would fight former WBO cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli for the WBA 'super' world cruiserweight title. The rumor, however, turned out to be false. It was later announced that the two would fight on December 12, 2015, in a non-title cruiserweight bout.
December 12, 2015: Jones vs. Maccarinelli
Roy Jones Jr. faced Enzo Maccarinelli in a non-title cruiserweight fight on December 12, 2015, at the VTB Ice Palace in Moscow. This marked Jones' first fight since becoming a Russian citizen and he entered the bout with eight consecutive victories, including four knockouts.
March 20, 2016: Jones vs. Phillips
Roy Jones Jr. fought MMA fighter Vyron Phillips on March 20, 2016, at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona. Phillips, who was making his professional boxing debut, had earned the opportunity to fight Jones through a Facebook vote. The fight ended in the second round with Jones knocking down Phillips, leading the referee to stop the fight.
December 2, 2016: Jones vs. Gunn Announcement
On December 2, 2016, it was confirmed that Roy Jones Jr. would face undefeated bare-knuckle fighter Bobby Gunn for the vacant World Boxing Foundation Cruiserweight championship. The announcement for the fight, scheduled for February 17, 2017, was made at a press conference on December 6 at the Chase Center in Delaware.
February 17, 2017: Jones vs. Gunn
Roy Jones Jr. claimed the vacant World Boxing Foundation cruiserweight title by defeating Bobby Gunn on February 17, 2017. Jones stopped Gunn in the 8th round after dominating the fight, leaving Gunn with an injured nose.
December 3, 2017: Jones Considers Retirement, Then Continues
After initially hinting at retirement, Roy Jones Jr. expressed his desire to continue boxing on December 3, 2017, following Miguel Cotto's farewell fight.
December 30, 2017: Jones Announces Final Fight
On December 30, 2017, Roy Jones Jr. announced his final fight, scheduled for February 8, 2018, at the Bay Center in Pensacola, Florida, against Scott Sigmon.
February 8, 2018: Jones vs. Sigmon
Roy Jones Jr. concluded his professional boxing career with a unanimous decision victory over Scott Sigmon on February 8, 2018. Jones dominated the fight, winning the vacant World Boxing Union cruiserweight title in the process. This marked his final fight at the Bay Center in Pensacola.
February 2018: Record for Unified Light Heavyweight Title Bouts
As of February 2018, Roy Jones Jr. holds the record for the most wins in unified light heavyweight title bouts in boxing history, with twelve victories.
July 2020: Jones vs. Tyson Exhibition Announcement
In July 2020, Roy Jones Jr. signed a contract to fight former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in an eight-round exhibition match sanctioned by the California State Athletic Commission.
February 6, 2023: Jones vs. Pettis Announcement
On February 6, 2023, it was announced that Roy Jones Jr. would face former UFC and WEC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis in an exhibition boxing match on April 1 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
June 24, 2024: Announces Son's Suicide
On June 24, 2024, Roy Jones Jr. tragically revealed that his son, Deandre, had died by suicide two days prior at the age of 32.