Boxing Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr backed himself to beat undefeated star Terence Crawford in a fantasy match-up. Jones, a three-weight world champion and 2022 Hall of Fame inductee, made the bold statement while speaking to Boxing News.
Crawford, widely regarded as one of boxing’s modern greats, has claimed world titles in five divisions. The 38-year-old from Omaha made history last month when he defeated Saul “Canelo” Alvarez to become the first male fighter to hold undisputed titles in three separate weight classes.
Crawford’s perfect 42-0 record includes wins over Errol Spence Jr, Shawn Porter, and Israil Madrimov. Despite those achievements, Jones insists he would have figured out Crawford’s style and found a way to win.
Jones Believes Experience Would Have Given Him the Edge
“I like Terence; he’s a very good fighter,” Jones said. “But Terence grew up watching Roy Jones. These guys can’t say they’d beat me when they still ask how I did things.”
Jones argued that Crawford and his generation still study his techniques without fully understanding them. “They don’t fully understand Roy Jones yet,” he said. “It’s hard to beat someone you can’t figure out.”
The former champion added that Crawford would have given him early trouble but wouldn’t have lasted long. “He’d have been something to handle for a few rounds,” Jones said. “But I was a different kind of fighter.”
A Legacy Built on Brilliance and Risk
Jones gained global fame in the 1990s with his explosive speed and unpredictable movement. Fans and analysts hailed him as one of the sport’s most dynamic talents.
Most of his dominance came at middleweight and super-middleweight, but his career-defining triumph came in 2003. That year, Jones shocked the world by moving up to heavyweight and defeating WBA champion John Ruiz, capturing a title few thought possible for a former middleweight.
While Jones has long retired, his confidence remains undimmed. His claim against Crawford reignites the age-old boxing debate — how today’s champions would fare against legends of the past.
