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Колорадо Спрингс, Скут. (Септември 6, 2018) – Living legend Roy Jones, Jr., universally recognized as one of the greatest pound-for-pound boxers of all-time, leads a celebrated quintet of Class of 2018 inductees into the USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame.
Вторият ежегоден прием в Залата на славата на Асоциацията на възпитаниците на бокса в САЩ, проведено във връзка с 2018 Национални първенства за елитен и младежки бокс на САЩ и първенство за младежи и подготовка, Декември 2-8, will be held Dec. 7, в хотел Радисън (215 S. Храм Св.) в Солк Лейк Сити, Юта.
В допълнение към Jones, Випуск 2018 also includes two U.S. Olympic gold medalists and world (професионален) шампиони, Андре Уорд и Claressa Шийлдс, както и бивш национален треньор по бокс в САЩ Емануел Стюард и ветеран от американския боксов служител Том Клиъри. Последните двама ще бъдат приети посмъртно.
Чартърният клас, въведен миналата година, включваше Мохамед Али и Ивендър Холифийлд, както и треньори ветерани Рузвелт Сандърс и Том Култър.
“I am honored to be selected for induction into the USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame,” Jones commented, “especially as a member of this great class with my fellow inductees.
“Amateur boxing gave me the chance to learn life skills as well as face every other possible scenario inside of the ring.”
Jones, По ирония на съдбата, got into boxing at the age of 11 because of Ali. “I saw Ali vs. (Joe) Фрейзърand just felt as though Ali and I had the same mental concept on life,” Jones explained.
Jones went on to become one of the best amateur boxers in the world, compiling a reported 121-13 рекорд, including gold medal performances at the 1984 National Junior Olympics and 1986 & 1987 National Golden Gloves Tournaments.
В 1988 Олимпиадата в Сеул, Южна Корея, Jones reached the championship final of the light middleweight division against Park Si-Hun, of South Korea. Jones suffered arguably the worst decision in boxing history, losing 3-2, despite outpunching his opponent, 86 към 32 landed punches, and he was forced to settle for a silver medal. Even his opponent admitted that Jones won their fight, leading the AIBA to later suspend the three judges who selected the hometown fighter as the winner.
How disgraceful was this decision? Jones was selected as the Val Barker Trophy winner as the best boxer of the 1988 Olympics and, due to controversy, the scoring system for Olympic boxing was changed, replacing the 20-point must system with electronic scoring.
“I was angered,” Jones admitted, “yet promoted to prove that I was the best fighter there, and in the world, at that time.”
Jones made his professional debut May 6, 1989, at home in Pensacola, Флорида, in a scheduled eight-round bout, in which RJJ stopped Ricky Randall във втория кръг. His long, glorious journey has produced a remarkable 66-9 (47 Нокаута) про рекорд, highlighted by nine major world titles in four different weight classes.
В 2003, Jones defeated Джон Руис by way of a 12-round unanimous decision to become the first former world middleweight champion to become world heavyweight title holder in more than a century.
The possessor of exceptional hand and foot speed, атлетизъм, движение и рефлекси, Jones went undefeated through his first 34 про битки, 22-3 (14) в световната титла битки. Against former, present or future world champions, Jones was 19-9 (8 Нокаута) and included among his victims were greats such as Бърнард Хопкинс, James Toney, Майк Маккалъм,Вини Pazienza, Върджил Hill, Antonio Tarver и Феликс Тринидад.
Днес, the 49-year-old Jones, technically speaking, is still an active fighter. He also has two promotional companies and gyms, located in Pensacola and Las Vegas, trains several pro boxers and serves as a color commentator for HBO Boxing. He recently opened gyms in South Africa.
For the past two years, Jones has hosted the “Future Stars of Boxing Tournament” в Лас Вегас, showcasing some of the best amateur boxers in the world.
“Hosting the tournament in Las Vegas gives me the opportunity to give back to amateur boxing,” Jones explained. “It’s a great experience for the boxers and it reminds them that who they may have or still look up to, are watching them as well.”
Roy Jones, Jr. with one of the many amateur boxers who participated in this year’s “Future Stars of Boxing” tournament in Las Vegas (photo courtesy of RJJ Boxing Promotions)
“When USA Boxing alumni discuss their favorite fighters,” каза Крис tofflemire, Изпълнителен директор на Асоциацията на възпитаниците на бокса в САЩ, “Roy Jones is near the top of everyone’s list. His spectacular talent, dedication to his craft, and infectious personality make him a no-brainer to headline this year’s Hall of Fame class. He continues to give back to amateur boxing and support the next generation. Roy deserves to be celebrated for all he has accomplished, and we look forward to honoring him in December.”
Създаден за шампион през целия живот, взаимноизгодни отношения между САЩ Boxing и неговите възпитаници, –боксьори, служители, треньори и феновете на бокса — Асоциацията на възпитаниците свързва поколения шампиони, вдъхновяваща и предаваме на бъдещите шампиони по бокс САЩ бокса, в и извън ринга.
Асоциацията на завършилите боксови САЩ е отворена за всеки, който има любов към бокса и биха искали да останете във връзка с аматьорски бокс. На членовете се предоставя достъп до голямо разнообразие от специални събития, организирани от Асоциацията на възпитаниците, включително прием на Залата на славата на Асоциацията на възпитаниците на бокса в САЩ.
За да се присъедините Асоциацията на завършилите, просто да се регистрират в alumni@usaboxing.org за $40.00 годишно членски внос. Нови членове ще получат фланелка, ключодържател и електронен портфейл.
Quotes of Note from other World Champions
George Foreman: “(Jones) hits like a heavyweight and moved like a lightweight.”
Монтел Грифин: “Floyd (Мейуедър, Jr.) was no comparison as far as speed. Roy was much faster.”
Майк Маккалъм: “(Jones is) the greatest fighter of all time.”
If he ever hangs-up his gloves for good, Roy Jones, Jr. will be a first ballot inductee into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. There may never be another boxer quite like RJJ.
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ЗА САЩ Бокс: The mission of USA Boxing shall be to enable United States’ athletes and coaches to achieve sustained competitive excellence, развият характер, подкрепа на спорта на бокса, and promote and grow Olympic style boxing in the United States. The responsibility of USA Boxing is not only to produce Olympic gold, but also oversee and govern every aspect of amateur boxing in the United States.