Kingpin of the 90s: Artistry of Roy Jones Jr

In what appeared to be a ‘less than interesting’ sport in the wake of the absence of ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson, boxing fans needed a new figure to turn to. Besides, the graciousness and ring savvy of fighters such as Oscar De La Hoya, no other fighter appeared with such charisma, skill and craft than Roy Jones Jr. On May 6, 1989, after receiving a silver medal in the 1988 Olympics, Roy made his professional debut. Within the first few fights and far early on in his career, it was already apparent that something was indeed quite odd about this fellow. The fact was that Jones’ skill level and talent was beyond the imaginable. Not only was he as fast as lighting with a punch that could label him a superhero, Roy Jones Jr. could add those credentials and blend them into a remarkable show. He made the hardest sport in the world seem easy; he’d float around the ring with both hands at his side at times, daring opponents to swing back. He was quite the gentleman outside of the ring, too. In the ring a remarkable showman, dedicated to inflicting serious hurt to his opponents pride and ego. Where did this kid come from, mars??

On January 16, 1969, Roy Jones Jr. was brought into the world. His father, Roy Jones Sr., was also a professional boxer, (12-8-1 4 KOs). He wasn’t exactly the icon his son would later become thirty years later, but he was still a product of the sport and wanted his son to follow in his footsteps. Then at the time, young Roy wasn’t exactly all that thrilled to be the best pound 4 pound fighter of the world, yet.