Former four-division champion Roy Jones Jr had a hall-of-fame career only matched by a select few boxers. During his prime, Jones became the only man to compete in the light heavyweight division as well as the heavyweight division and win titles in both. Captain Hook was considered to be the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world after he made his professional debut following a controversial silver medal in the 1988 Summer Olympics.
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However, he managed to overcome that loss and turn it into one of the best boxing careers ever. Despite this many boxing fans and analysts thought that moving up to heavyweight to take on then-WBA champion John Ruiz would be too big of a task. ‘Captian Hook’ still would welcome the challenge and take on Ruiz.
👀 2⃣0⃣ YEARS AGO TODAY, @RealRoyJonesJr matched his speed, skill, and matchless athleticism against the superior size, power, and strength of then-WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz. There was only going to be one winner! #boxing 🇺🇸🥊🇺🇸
Jones would put on a show outclassing Ruiz who had almost 30 pounds on the challenger and even broke his nose in the fourth round. This would earn him a UD victory and make him the WBA heavyweight champion in the world. Jone’s victory was etched in history with it making rounds on the internet to this day. In addition, boxing promoter Lou Di Bella also joined in as fans reacted to this historic moment.
Lou DiBella joins fans as they react to Roy Jones Jr becoming a heavyweight champion
SportingNews senior writer Andreas Hale stated that Jones would be a mega star in today’s social media era.
There is no doubt in my mind that Roy Jones Jr. would have been a MEGASTAR in the social media era. Nothing like him before or after.
👀 2⃣0⃣ YEARS AGO TODAY, @RealRoyJonesJr matched his speed, skill, and matchless athleticism against the superior size, power, and strength of then-WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz. There was only going to be one winner! #boxing 🇺🇸🥊🇺🇸
Lou DiBella claimed that Jones was the most gifted boxer he had seen or worked with in his life.
Most physically gifted boxer/athlete I’ve ever seen or worked with. Sui Generis as they say in Latin and legal books. #boxing
Another fan pointed out a moment in the fight where Jones rocked Ruiz. Moreover, he claimed that this moment was truly exciting for him.
There was a moment where he staggered Ruiz. I nearly lost my shit thinking RJJ could get the KO. What a fighter.
Read More: ‘He’s a Clown and Hater’: Boxing Legend Roy Jones Jr. Criticized by Fans for His Pound-for-Pound List
A user named Tom Gray claimed that this fight was etched in his memory like he saw it yesterday and was shocked that twenty years had passed since this fight took place.
👀 20 YEARS!!!! 😲🤯 I literally remember this fight like it was yesterday. Live on Setanta PPV in the UK. Dazzling stuff from @RealRoyJonesJr in what was his last GREAT ring triumph #boxing 🇺🇸🥊🇺🇸
👀 2⃣0⃣ YEARS AGO TODAY, @RealRoyJonesJr matched his speed, skill, and matchless athleticism against the superior size, power, and strength of then-WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz. There was only going to be one winner! #boxing 🇺🇸🥊🇺🇸
Lastly, Jones himself shared a video of the historic fight claiming that while many doubted him to become a champion, god had ordained him to do the impossible and beat Ruiz.
20 years ago today I accomplished what THEY all said I couldn’t do, but what GOD ORDAINED ME TO DO- become HEAVYWEIGHT champion of the world!
The fans certainly were appreciative of this historic moment in boxing. Moreover, these achievements remind us of how great some of the athletes from the previous generation were actually. Jones was also indeed one of them with his name being cemented among the greats of the sport and his also securing the status of a legend in boxing.
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What did you think about this historic victory of Jones Jr? Let us know in the comments.