Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr., icons in the world of boxing, will lace their gloves up once again this weekend. It’s been 15 years since Mike Tyson fought last while Jones fought as recently as 2018 before retiring.

The two boxing legends will go head to head this weekend. Here are 10 things you did not know about Roy Jones Jr.

Roy Jones Jr. nickname origin

While Jones has never been as popular as Mike Tyson, ardent fans of the sport acknowledge that Jones Jr. had a unique style that fans had never seen before.

Arguably one of the most gifted boxers in history, Jones would decimate his opponents so thoroughly during his prime. This would earn him the moniker, ‘Superman’. Jones’ speed, technique, and in-ring intelligence set him apart from his opponents.

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Earned silver at the Olympics

Roy Jones Jr. was one of the most successful boxers of his generation. He represented the United States at the 1988 Summer Games in Seoul.

However, controversy struck when Jones, who had never lost a single round en route to the final, only won the silver medal. Most fans believe the decision wasn’t a debate, as Jones seemed to dominate the fight.

However, to the fans’ surprise, he would lose 3 rounds to 2 to the Korean fighter Park Si-Hun.

The first professional loss was a DQ

Jones currently holds a professional record of 66-9. The first of these losses came because of a disqualification back in 1997. They disqualified Jones for hitting fellow American Montell Griffin in the back of the head twice, which cost Jones the WBC light heavyweight title. Jones was even ahead on the judges’ scorecards at the time, putting his record at 34-1.

Jones holds dual nationality

In 2015, Jones Jr was granted Russian citizenship by President Vladimir Putin. Jones met with the Russian President to ask for a dual Russian-American citizenship, explaining that he often visits the country and a passport would avoid any inconvenience.

They granted him Russian citizenship later that year, and he regularly returned to put up master-classes to amateur boxers in the region.

Commentator duties behind the desk

Jones resumed his duties as analyst and commentator for HBO World Championship Boxing in 2005. However, Jones was subsequently let go in 2006 due to his reported lack of commitment to attending network production meetings.

 In 2011, HBO would announce that it had reached an agreement to bring back Roy Jones Jr. as a permanent expert analyst on ‘Boxing After Dark’.

Relationship with his father

Jones’ father was one of the main reasons he entered the sport of boxing. While his father was a great trainer, things got complicated between the two, with Jones feeling like he couldn’t make his own choices.

Jones does believe that he achieved his best when he started making his own decisions.

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Jones’ music career

Sports stars that branch out into the music industry rarely succeed. However, Jones released an album titled ‘Round one: The Album’ back in 2001, which was then released by a major label.

Jones had a genuine hit on his hands with ‘Y’all Must Have Forgot’. The video for the track currently sits just under the 10 million views mark on YouTube.

Love for the outdoors

Through all the fame and fortune, Jones seems to enjoy the simple lifestyle. Reportedly having earned 33 million in his career, Jones lives on an 80-acre estate in Florida, where he preaches of an outdoor lifestyle.

Jones enjoys hunting and taking care of the livestock on his estate and fishes in his spare time.

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Special appearance in the Matrix movie

Jones ventured into Hollywood. He landed a role in one of the biggest franchises at the time, ‘The Matrix’. Jones would appear as Captain Ballard in the ‘Matrix Reloaded’, while not a key role, the boxing legend relished working with the likes of Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne. Jones also appeared in recent hits such as Southpaw and Creed II.

Four weight division champion

Roy Jones Jr has held multiple World Championships in 4 weight classes. This includes titles at middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight.

Jones is currently the only boxer in history to start his professional career at light middleweight and go on to win a heavyweight title.

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