Poll: Jones vs. Trinidad. Who Will Win?
This match-up is somewhat reminiscent of Sugar Ray Leonard-Tommy Hearns II or Leonard-Roberto Duran III. Big names meeting in the twilight of their careers. At least Leonard, Hearns and Duran had all met previously in memorable bouts. What history do Jones and Trinidad have with each other? None. They reigned in completely different weight classes. However, they're both looking for a big name (i.e., big money) opponent that they perceive as relatively low-risk.
Jones looks at Trinidad as a blown-up welterweight who's been out of action for two-and-a-half years and looked terrible in his last outing (in which he lost virtually every round to Winky Wright). Trinidad sees Jones as a safety-first fighter who can no longer take a punch and hasn't scored a knockout in over five years.
That's the glass-is-half-empty way of looking at Jones vs. Trinidad.
The flip side is that both fighters are all-time greats that might still have another fight (or two) in them. Trinidad is still relatively young (turning 35 this week) and should be fresh (rusty?) after his long layoff. Jones turns 39 days before the fight but may have regained some confidence with unanimous decision victories over Prince Badi Ajamu (2006) and Anthony Hanshaw (2007) in his two most recent outings.
Prediction: The fight is set at a catch weight of 170. Trinidad has never fought above 160. Jones hasn't been at 170 or below since 1996. Slight advantage to Jones. Jones also figures to be sharper, having fought 36 rounds since Trinidad's last bout. This one will not be a classic, will not enhance or damage the reputation (or short-term earning potential) of either fighter and will not go less than the full 12 rounds. Jones by unanimous decision.
Who do you think will win? Jones or Trinidad? Vote in our poll.
Comments
Does antone really care who wins this fight. Felix, great in his time, and Jones, maybe never as great as he thought he was, really should give it a rest. Neither of them needs the money, so why are they fighting. It would be difficult to see that no matter who wins, a big fight with someone that mattered, would not happen. I only hope that these guys don’t hurt themselves or each other and leave the ring with their brains intact, but I don’t think they will get many viewers. There is nothing compelling about this fight and less at stake.
i agree with Donald…who cares, and i am a fight fanatic but this does’nt intrigue me at all…. Jones needs to either fight Calzahge or B-Hops…major…or rematch… GlenJohnson or fight Tarver for the 4th time….Semi-major…those are the only fights that matter everyone else is an excuse…RJ has always claimed he was p4p the best but after the ko losses to Tarver and Johnson i believe Roy who was always scared to get hit is a bit gunshy…as for Trinidad he has lost his last 2 fights 1 by a beating and a KO…then a BEATING by 2 future hall of famers… he’s 0-2 in his last 2 big fights…as for roy Prince Badi and Hanshaw???? ok the only thing that’s a positive they both where undefeated at the time…but who have they beat….here’s hoping they both ko each other at the sametime in the 1st……
I still have faith in Jones but I’m still confused in why he even took this fight. Clearly it’s an easy win for Jone Jr. I still have faith he can knockout his opponents and is not scared to get hit. If a hint of the old Roy shows like Roy says it will, Jones can take him out early. I have faith in a KO by Jones but something inside of me says Jones lost his KO power and this will be a easy Unanimous Decision for a too slick Jones.
Jones by a TKO in later rounds. Jones is bigger and faster. No contest
Dam shame about roy,he had the skills to be great,but chose to be safe & not fight anyone that could beat him,a little different than mayrunner he won’t fight any one who can out run him but hey they call that boxing now days!
roy jones bye k.o…. he was the best p4p boxer of all time up there with gatti… he is doing this fight for his true fans and his name will remain as a legend for many years to come… much respect for a true champ like jones
I think that from the jump we are going to see a slow, stiff Trinidad and a quick, although hesitant RJJ.
Around the 6th round RJJ will hurt Trinidad but will let him off the hook because of Trinidad’s past tendency to get back into big fights after KD’s. That being said, the speed, strength, and size differences- along with the RJJ’s more active status as a fighter in the last few years will start to show again in the 7th and 8th rounds, and a stoppage will occur shortly thereafter.