Roy Jones Jr. was born on January 16, 1969 in Pensacola, Florida. He was an accomplished amateur boxer, who finished with a record of 121-13. He became a household name during the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games when he represented the United States in the 156 pound weight class. He did not lose a single round during the entire games, in spite of the fact he got robbed in the finals, when the crooked judges gave the decision to Park Si-Hun. Roy was still voted the best boxer of the Olympics despite the hose-job, still returned to America a hero.
His first professional bout came on May 6, 1989 against Ricky Randall in Pensacola, a bout that ended by knockout in two rounds. Roy traveled to Atlantic City for his next fight, and won with an eighth round knockout of Stephan Johnson.
Roy had a record of 15-0 as a middleweight in January of 1992, when he stepped up in competition to face Jorge Vaca on the undercard of the Iran Barkley vs. Darrin Van Horn title fight. I was housesitting for my sister to watch this one, and Jones Jr. didn’t disappoint. He easily disposed of Vaca in the first round, and it certainly impressed me. The kid looked better every time he stepped into the ring.
He reeled off three more wins, and headed to Atlantic City in December of 1992 to take on Percy Harris. I went to see the bout in person at the Mark Etess Arena, and happened to be sitting right next to Percy Harris’ family. You couldn’t help but feel sorry for them as you watched Roy take Harris apart. It was over in the fourth, and I knew I was just witnessed greatness.
Roy knocked out Glenn Wolfe in one round with a body shot in his next fight on February 13 in Las Vegas. The HBO bout further showcased his skills, and his next trip through the ropes would be for the middle weight title against Bernard Hopkins in May.
The May 23, 1993 was in Washington D.C. on the undercard of the Riddick Bowe vs. Jesse Ferguson bout. Roy fought a magnificent fight, boxing brilliantly, landing hard shots, and easily defeating a very talented Bernard Hopkins. I knew that this title would be the first of many the talented boxer would win in a long career ahead.
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