Roy Jones Jr. vs. Felix Trinidad

January 19, 2008

OUTCOME: Jones by Unanimous Decision

ANDY'S PICK: Trinidad by Knockout

THE BET:
5.0 Units on Trinidad by KO at +550
2.5 Units on Trinidad to Win at +265
3.0 Units on Jones by Decision at +250 (required hedge)

THE PAYOUT:
0 Units

I'm going to make believe its 1997 so I can actually care about this match and stomach the $50 I'm about to flush down the Pay Per View toilet.  That being said, I think the boxing pundits have misread this match completely.  The general consensus is that Trinidad has no chance.  Some are even claiming that Tito has no business even being in the ring with Jones.  I couldn't disagree more.  In my humble opinion Roy Jones has not beaten a worthy opponent since 1994 when he shocked James Toney.  Trinidad on the other hand has fought pretty much everyone and, aside from his two losses at the hands of Hopkins and Wright, he has for the most part embarrassed them all.  Despite his long layoff I have heard from inside sources that Tito is looking in top form and is much stronger at 170.   While Jones has fought as high as heavyweight, he hasn't knocked a man out since he fought Clinton Woods in 2002.  Aside from Hopkins, Trinidad has survived all 44 of his fights and has faced much bigger punchers than a 39 year old Jones.  Its Trinidad who can score a knockout in this fight not Jones. Apart from his two losses and his fights with Pernell Whitaker and Oscar De LaHoya, no man has avoided the canvas against Trinidad in an incredible 14 years.  I see no reason why a defensive-minded, slower, less active, chin weary fighter like Roy Jones should be one of the very few to survive against the Puerto Rican legend.  Let's not forget how Roy was manhandled and knocked cold by Glen Johnson, the most overrated fighter of the decade.

The way I see the fight playing out is simple.  Trinidad will be pressing the action the entire night, sending Jones into the ropes on numerous occasions and punishing him with everything but the kitchen sink.  Jones will try to get away with one-punch pot-shotting but it will be ineffective against the far busier, harder punching Trinidad.  If Jones were to use his jab like Winky Wright did he has a chance of pulling off a decision but I know he wont and Trinidad will punish him for that.  At some point in the later rounds Trinidad will land his patented left hook cleanly and Jones will be on queer street, subsequently pummeled around the ring like a rag doll until the ref jumps in to stop the fight.

Hopefully RJ will have the good sense to hang em up after this fiasco, something he should have done and I'm sure wishes he did do after his once celebrated victory over John Ruiz.