Tebchaws USA Boxing Alumni Koom Tes, Class of 2018 Tus hauv inductee

COLORADO SPRINGS, Ncej puab. (Cuaj hlis 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.

Qhov thib ob USA USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall ntawm Fame Txais Tos, tuav hauv kev sib txuas nrog cov 2018 USA Boxing Elite thiab Cov Hluas Kev Sib Tw Tsoom Fwv thiab Junior thiab Prep qhib, Kaum Ob Hlis Ntuj 2-8, will be held Dec. 7, ntawm Radisson Hotel (215 S. Tuam tsev kawm ntawv) Hauv Salk Lake City, Utah.

Nyob rau hauv tas li ntawd rau Jones, lub chav kawm ntawv ntawm 2018 also includes two U.S. Olympic gold medalists and world (kev) champions, Lwm Ward thiab Claressa Shields, Zoo li qub Asg usa Boxing teb chaws tus thawj coj ntawm kev qhia Emanuel Steward thiab qub qub tub rog Asmeskas Boxing Official Tom Cleiny. Lub tom ntej ob yuav yog posthumously inducted.

Lub Tsev Kawm Ntawv Charter Charter Txoj Haujlwm Tseem Ceeb Muhammad Ali thiab Evander Holyfield, as well as veteran coaches Roosevelt Sanders thiab Tom coulter.

“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, Tiam sis, got into boxing at the age of 11 because of Ali. “I saw Ali vs. (Joe) Frazierand 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 cov ntaub ntawv, including gold medal performances at the 1984 National Junior Olympics and 1986 & 1987 National Golden Gloves Tournaments.

Thaum lub 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Kauslim, 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 rau 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, Florida, in a scheduled eight-round bout, in which RJJ stopped Ricky Randall nyob rau hauv lub thib ob puag ncig. His long, glorious journey has produced a remarkable 66-9 (47 Kos) pro record, highlighted by nine major world titles in four different weight classes.

Nyob rau hauv 2003, Jones defeated John Ruiz 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, athleticism, movement and reflexes, Jones went undefeated through his first 34 pro sib ntaus, 22-3 (14) nyob rau hauv lub ntiaj teb no title fights. Against former, present or future world champions, Jones was 19-9 (8 Kos) and included among his victims were greats such as Bernard Hopkins, James Toney, Mike McCallum,Vinnie Pazienza, Virgil Hill, Antonio Tarver thiab Felix Trinidad.

Hnub no, 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” nyob rau hauv Las Vegas, 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,” hais tias Chris cugliari, Tebchaws Asmeskas Boxing Cov Koom Haum Laus Alumni Cov Thawj Coj, “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.”

Tsim los rau tus yeej ib lub neej, Kev muaj kev sib raug zoo ntawm kev sib raug zoo ntawm Asmeskas Boxing thiab nws cov alumni, –boxers, cov nom, Cov qhia thiab Boxing kiv cua — the Alumni Association connects generations of champions, Kev tshoov siab thiab muab rov qab rau USA Boxing lub neej tom ntej champions, nyob rau hauv thiab tawm ntawm lub nplhaib.

Tebchaws Asmeskas Boxing Kev Koom Tes Qhib tau rau txhua tus neeg uas muaj kev hlub rau kev ntaus pob thiab xav kom nyob nrog kev ua si lom zem. Cov tswv cuab tau txais kev nkag mus rau ntau yam tshwj xeeb cov xwm txheej tus tswv tsev ntawm Alumni Association, suav nrog Tebchaws Asmeskas Boxing Alumni Association Hall ntawm Fame Txais Tos.

Txhawm rau koom nrog lub koom haum Alumni, Tsuas sau npe ntawm alumni@usaboxing.org rau a $40.00 Ib Xyoos Tus Nqi. Cov tswvcuab tshiab yuav tau txais lub tsho t-shirt, Keychain thiab e-hnab nyiaj.

Quotes of Note from other World Champions

George Foreman: “(Jones) hits like a heavyweight and moved like a lightweight.”

Montell Griffin: “Floyd (Mayweather, Jr.) was no comparison as far as speed. Roy was much faster.”

Mike McCallum: “(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.

NTAUB NTAWV:

www.usaboxing.org

Twitter: @USABoxing, USABoxingAlumni

Instagram: @USABoxing

Facebook: /USABoxing

HAIS TXOG USA BOXING: The mission of USA Boxing shall be to enable United States’ athletes and coaches to achieve sustained competitive excellence, develop character, support the sport of boxing, 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.