Roy Jones Jr. Nickname Origin - Boxing Lines

Roy Jones Jr. Nickname Origin – Boxing Lines

Written by on October 2, 2020

Although Roy Jones Jr. was never as popular as Mike Tyson, for true boxing fans, those who know the sport, Jones Jr. had a unique style that fans had never before seen. Roy was easily one of the most gifted boxers in history. He decimated opponents so thoroughly during his prime years that he garnered the nickname “Superman”. What made Roy Jones Jr. one of the greatest fighters of all time? Check out how Superman created one of the greatest records in boxing history and solidified his position as one of the Top 10 pound-for-pound fighters of all time so you can keep preparing your bets for the fight against their Mike Tyson Odds.

Why Boxing Fans Called Roy Jones Jr. Superman

Jones Jr. used technique and ring intelligence to dominate his opponents

Jones Jr. was faster and stronger than most of his opponents. But that’s not what made him such a great boxer. Some claim that because he was often faster than the man in front of him, Superman didn’t have boxing technique.

The belief is false. Jones had more technique than any fighter in history. The difference? Roy learned traditional boxing techniques at an early age before he turned ten. But then, he realized that to become the best, he had to change those techniques.

What Roy realized was that everyone uses the same techniques that he had learned. So, instead of keeping his hands up the way his father taught him, as an example, Jones decided to experiment with hand placement. 

Most boxers in the traditional right-handed stance keep their left more forward than their right. The right stays almost flush with the cheek. When a boxer fights another right-handed, orthodox stance, fighter, they parry their opponent’s jab with the right.

Jones kept his right away from his face. This allowed him to parry much quicker. But that’s not the only thing Jones did with his right. Roy understood that he was much faster than his opponents. So, he goaded them into throwing a punch by leaning forward, off his back foot.

Once his opponents threw the punch, Superman would then quickly move his right foot back, shift his weight to the back foot, and then bring the right forward. It happened so quickly, and was so unorthodox, that most opponents never saw the right coming. Even if they thought Jones would try the punch, they couldn’t set up for it because Roy was so quick at pulling it off .

Roy Jones Jr. was magical with his left hand

Jones Jr. set traps for his left hand. One of his most effective involved throwing a left jab and then turning it into a hook before landing it on his opponent’s jaw. The move displays exactly how much technique Jones had.

Like what we wrote in the above section, orthodox stance boxers are taught to parry jabs with their right. They then either counter with a left jab, or they parry with their right and then throw a right.

Knowing this, Superman would throw a left jab, weight for his opponent to put his right into position to parry, and then turn the left jab into a left hook that went around his opponent’s right hand. Because Roy threw the left jab from his back foot, he could easily make it a more powerful left hook.

Roy also did other things with his left. He’d stare at his opponent’s body to think he was throwing a left to the body. Then, after starting the left to the body, Superman would immediately switch to a left hook to the head. At times, he’d switch it up, stare into his opponents eyes, throw a left hook meant for the head, wait for his opponent to react, and then throw a left to the body.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that Roy Jones Jr. doesn’t understand boxing technique. He learned the old school techniques so well that he could manipulate them to his advantage.   

Jones Jr. was technically undefeated before facing Antonio Tarver in 2004

All boxers eventually fade. Roy Jones Jr. is no different. Superman didn’t fade for a while. Up until 2004, the lone blemish on Superman’s record was a disqualification loss to Montel Griffin. Per the referee, Roy hit Montel after Griffin got knocked down. That’s a no-no in boxing.

If we don’t count the disqualification as a loss, Superman was 50-0 when he faced Antonio Tarver for the second time in 2004. Roy had won a controversial split-decision over Tarver in the previous fight. Antonio said he’d exact his revenge and he did. 

Tarver knocked Jones Jr. out in the second round. Roy was never the same after that. Superman had lost the physical skills that made him a champion. He couldn’t pull off the technique manipulation he had when he was in his prime. Although Jones would fight 24 more times, going 17-5 in the process, he never regained the stature he had during his hey-day. Roy ended his career in 2018 with a fantastic 66-9 record with 47 knockouts. 

On Nov. 28, Roy Jones can remind everyone why they called him Superman. If Jones can put on a show versus Iron Mike Tyson, he’ll once again prove he’s one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters of all time.

Mike Tyson Vs Roy Jones Jr. – Frontline Battle Stats


Boxer

Mike Tyson
Roy Jones Jr.
Nickname Iron Mike Captain Hook
Hometown New York City, New York, U.S. Pensacola, Florida, U.S.
Pre-fight record 50–6 (44 KOs) 66–9 (47 KOs)
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Style Orthodox Orthodox
Recognition Former undisputed heavyweight champion Former IBF middleweight, IBF super middleweight, undisputed light heavyweight, and WBA heavyweight champion
Mike Tyson Vs Roy Jones Jr.

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