Roy Jones Jr. delivered one of the all-time great boxing KOs 18 years ago – but will he dare try this septum in jaw-dropping against Mike Tyson in September?
The boxer, nicknamed ‘Superman’, lived up to his billing against Glen Kelly in 2002 when he displayed his loud speed and skill against an undefeated but unlucky enemy.
Both hands slid behind his back while he was against the ropes, the Americans left him wide open – but before Kelly could react, Jones released a lightning-fast right heel, grabbing his opponent high on the temple. Kelly crashed in: down, damn, counting out.
It remains one of the most spectacular stops of one punch in boxing history – of a man many have called the best pure athlete ever to set foot in a ring.
The light-heavyweight Jones was so supernaturally fast of hand, foot and eye that he could fight in an unorthodox style. Instead of using a jab to set up his shots, he would lead with quick hooks – incredibly risky punches that even elite boxers simply throw when they have an opponent open or hurt.
Yet Jones trusted his local reflexes in his prime – and those who think he gave up such showboating have clearly not seen any of his late fights. Although he struggled, he suffered several brutal knockouts himself, late in his career – he remained unconventional, lowering his hands and relying on movement in the body.
If you were to imagine that the 51-year-old would never attempt such a bizarre tactic in his eight-round exhibition match with Tyson on September 12, you – and Iron Mike – might be in for a surprise.
Reaction to the night of the Kelly KO was fear from a deranged audience who could not quite believe what they were seeing. Boxers bravely placing their fists behind their backs is rare enough – Tyson Fury has sometimes done it to plague his enemies – but scoring a stop from one position should be impossible.
Larry Merchant, coverage of the fight for HBO was less impressed, claiming that the one-sided attack and humiliating finish attributed to it was a very invalid, with the Australian Kelly out of his depth in the game.
” How would he know? ” Was Jones’ response to Merchant. ” He never raised his hand except when doing one. ”
Whatever your attention is on the crazy KO of Kelly by Jones, it remains one of the most memorable endings ever seen in an award-winning ring. One we will probably never see again.
Except, of course, Jones pushes him back to his knees and dares to stick his hands behind his back when 54-year-old Tyson rumbles after him next month. In that case, a knockdown might come … but we can not say exactly who would tackle it.
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