I recently bumped into a fellow fan, and he confidently proclaimed, "better late than never" in regards to the upcoming non-title bout between Roy Jones, Jr. and Felix Tito Trinidad. After hearing this statement, the only word that rung true to me was "late." The fight ticket should be printed as a coupon with an expiration date of June 2001 – because that is about the time when the fight should have taken place. At these advanced stages of their respective careers, we can only hope for the best when Jones and Trinidad meet this Saturday.
The ever-confident Jones is predicting a wipe-out of Trinidad within four rounds. If this were the year 2000, I’d believe him, but it is not, so I don’t. This version of Roy Jones still has good speed, footwork, and stamina, as evidenced in his most recent wins over little-known Prince Badi Ajamu and Anthony Hanshaw. However, I have a hard time believing he will stray too far from his defensive, counter-punching roots, which usually lead to a decision win. Old habits die hard.
Trinidad is confidently predicting that he will shatter Jones’s proverbial glass chin at some point of the fight. I am always skeptical of a fighter who is hoping to catch their opponent with the perfect punch in order to win. It’s the equivalent of making a down payment on a house with a lottery ticket. It’s simply not a sound strategy. What if the punch never lands? What is plan B? This shortsighted battle plan is realistically Tito’s only way to win, but I think it’s also a recipe for disaster. Trinidad has always had trouble with defensive-minded fighters with good footwork (De La Hoya, Hopkins, Wright). This seemingly spent version of Jones will pose similar problems.
Look for the past-prime Jones to befuddle and pot-shot Trinidad over twelve, repetitive rounds. Could their be a knockout? Sure, there could be one when you have two, prideful warriors fighting well below their normal capacities. Will there be one? I seriously doubt it. My main goal is to stay awake and hope a fight breaks out this Saturday.
I also believe that Roy is going to beat Trinidad, but I believe even more that even the people who’re picking Jones ain’t doing: We’re all going to see the Roy Jones of the past that we remember. Cuz no way that 170pds is going to affect him at all.
Jones will be surgical on Saturday night. Look for a decisive 12 round decision. Just hope there is an ambulance waiting outside MSG in case Tito does land a punch to Roy’s kisser.
Y’all Must Have Forgot!!
Rolly Polly Man, I think it’s impossible to see vintage Roy – Mother Nature (i.e. the aging process) will not allow that (unless he’s taking HGH 🙂 That being said, I do think there is a decent chance to see Roy look really good. Tito always had a style to make RJJ look good. Now that he (Tito) is older and seemingly worse, Roy should handle him fairly easily. The only unknown is how will RJJ stand up if/when he gets touched by one of Trinidad’s vaunted left hooks? Roy’s chin (or lack thereof) is a huge intangible and potential equalizer in this fight.
Funny Brendan, but I second your prediction…although surgical is a strong word…for the viewing public, I hope any of the fighters look “surgically” good. That being said, a knockout could happen too, but methinks if anyone would be on the wrong end of that, it’d be Tito. We shall see.
Ja, you will be proven wrong yet again. Tito in 8. This fight will be a mirror image of Roy Jones/Glen Johnson when Roy was left in shambles and in a comatose state.
Orlando, what you mean, “yet again.” I’m surgical with my predictions youngin’ – well at least for the most part! Just show up on the site tomorrow…I will be serving crow on Sunday morning!