Truly Great fighters continue to win after their reflexes start to decline...George Foreman, Muhamad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson are three great examples who were able to win because they learned the craft of boxing even though their reflexes were gone. Once Jonses physical advantages disappered he did not have the skill to win. Yes, he was an average boxer. He could look great against the right opponent. He was never involved in a great fight either. All of his best knockouts were against no name opposition. With the possible exception of Virgil Hill.
Take Pernell Whitaker for example...Long after his prime he was still competetive with De La Hoya and Trinidad because of his skill level. He was never blasted into oblivion like Jones. Because he understood how to slip punches, block puches, circle away from his opponents best punches ( and not into them ala Jones, one basic skill every beginer learns that Jones never did) and otherwise minimize his opponents effectiveness. That is a skill. Jones speed and reflexes were inherent and not learned, he was and is 'chinny', he was never involved in a fight were he displayed heart, courage or determination....Never in a great fight. He capitalized on a weak sport littered with paper tittles and fought only a handful of good fighters. In those fights he looked average. His greatest accomplishment was collecting a handful of alphabet tittles.
you are obviously a jones hater with your observations and critique (makes no sense). I ask you to go back in history and find the fighter who has fought TOP, GREAT competition for even 25% percent of their career? I can save you the trouble...there isn't any. ALL boxers over 85 -90% of their career is vs non top comp to possibles simply because they have to be established and need to make a name...once established they MIGHT...repeat MIGHT fight 2-3 guys their entire career on their level...MIGHT.
There was nobody in jones era while in his prime that could even give him trouble simply because he mastered HIS craft ..HIS style and had physical abilities you will never see again sustained for as long as he sustained them and dominated his class. This guy for over a decade fought vs probably the most number 1 contenders in HISTORY (and beat them all) and they later became champions or were champs. He demolished them ALL.
You need to get real man and stop hating on the guy...in his prime Roy was a freak of nature and NOBODY could stop him outside a prime Ray Robinson MAYBE.
Mark my words..you will never see another dominating boxer like Roy Jones in his prime...ever. He made champions and future champions look like complete clowns in there.
