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05/18/2004 Archived Entry: "The Fallout of a Hero's Demise"
The Fallout of a Hero's Demise
By Dean Vios
This fight is bittersweet liberation for all in a way. The "told ya so" people are basking in their glory, filling themselves plump on Roy Jones, Jr. bashing. Jones fans are finally brought down to earth, no longer burdened with the relentless defense of their reigning superhuman.
I never once questioned the stoppage. It clearly seemed that Jones was not protesting but I wished that somehow he was physically able to continue to see yet another wrinkle in RJJ's game and ability. Nady did his job well, almost too well I thought. I applaud Nady for not getting caught up in the shock of moment and doing his duty. As a fan, I would have liked to see a longer count in order to give a fallen champ an opportunity he has earned through his years of service, but what’s done is done. Maybe it sounds selfish but I've seen fighters in worse shape be allowed to continue, that's all. RJJ probably would not have wanted it that way anyway. At the end of the day, he was KTFO. End of story.
I can't help but keep coming back to a parallel RJJ shares with newly retired champion Lennox Lewis. Lewis crowned his career with a win over Tyson as RJJ did with Ruiz. Both champs could have safely retired afterwards but their egos got the best of them. While coasting on the powers of their legacy, they both took another trip to the well to face very determined opponents otherwise known as "the one fight too many". They both escaped with asterisk wins but RJJ, possibly a tad more in love with himself, went the one step too far. It really makes you wonder what would have happened to Lewis in a rematch with Vitaly but Lewis ultimately proved he was a step smarter than RJJ.
After thinking it over, if RJJ has the will to box again (a serious IF) I think a rubbermatch with Tarver at heavy is the only viable option. Tarver has already announced he is moving to heavy. I think mentally this will be the only ground RJJ would be able to convince himself to return to and have some confidence. RJJ has commented in the past that he did feel comfortable at heavy but in the last 12 months between the ages of 34 & 35, RJJ has put more years on his body than he ever has throughout his career. Who knows how a jump upwards again will serve him. Tarver is still obviously a much fresher 35 years so even a meeting at heavy doesn't guarantee anything, it just changes the picture a little.
Many people are talking about the mentality of RJJ after this loss but another aspect to consider is that all fighters out there are now finally seeing that RJJ is indeed a human being. This would make a comeback for RJJ difficult in that regard alone and absolutely compelling in the same breath. RJJ's legacy is and has always been intact but if RJJ has it in him and wants to save any face historically with the greats before him, he should show some stones and take a rubbermatch. This fight wasn't anywhere near a Marvin Hagler signing off after Sugar Ray Leonard. I hate to say it but unless something physically terrible happened to RJJ, someone of RJJ's stature retiring after an event like that borders on shameful. As a selfish fan, I don't care what he has to say about it.
I'm not sure a direct route to a rubbermatch would best either. I would think RJJ would need a win first to really be able to march back in there with some confidence. If Tarver were to go his own way for a fight or 2 while RJJ works it out, a rubbermatch down the road would be big and would still mean something although the immediate rematch is always the choice of champions. In the end, if RJJ honestly has no more will to fight, this is all pointless. He's made the point clear over the last few years that his interest is waning but most everyone ignored him. This predicament he is faced with will either incite him or force him to take his other foot out of boxing.
My feeling is that RJJ feels he doesn't owe anyone anything and will probably retire once he tells himself enough that its ok, I'm sure the toadies in his crew that have been yessing him for years will not challenge that. I would have liked to see if Merkerson actually contributes to RJJ in any way other than remind RJJ to use his natural gifts. Now that RJJ is forced to be honest with himself (and is inclined to), he is certainly bright and talented enough to alter his style to work for him in his decline. If Merkerson is a truly great trainer, he would relish the task. I talk about Tarver as a fresher 35 but RJJ is not exactly 35 going on 60 either.
On the other side of the coin, I also wonder how Tarver will perform against new opposition now that he's achieved his life's work. For someone who has looked so ordinary against Griffin, Harding and Jonhson, it's almost pretty easy to write this guy off as a one hit wonder. Was McGirt just what Tarver needed? Will Tarver have the same intensity for future challenges if RJJ does not stand in front of him? The next few months should be interesting for all parties involved.
Once the hangover effects dissipate, I'm sure boxing intelligence will prevail and most will put RJJ in his proper historical place. RJJ has made it look easy for so long it's actually condemning & is what prevents him from being completely accepted. Many hardcore boxing fans have a lust for blood and guts, not some prince who waltzes his way to victory unscathed through an apparent path of least resistance. The "path" will forever be a fiercely subjective topic of debate of course.
Just like the story goes, if you root against someone long enough, eventually you will look like Nostradamus. Some were waiting for this day for a long, long time and it finally arrived. Whether or not you believe it happened or not, everyone of us know all too well that boxing is not a sport known for it's picturesque endings. Just because it doesn't sit well with us does not prevent it from forever being part of boxing's legacy. There are no superhumans and Mr. Unstoppable got stopped all the same.
