How Jones/Ruiz was perceived at the time has nothing to do with my opinion. I'm telling you how it was. I'm telling you, factually, how it was looked at back in 2003. Those constantly bitching about opionions and facts are usually the ones constantly arguing stupid shit. Yes, my opinion is better than many around here... and when it comes to boxing, my opinion is obviously much more informed and more important than yours. By a lot. We aren't on the same level. Are you tired? How many times do I have to agree that Hopkins has had a better career for it to sink in?
Lewis, Wlad and Byrd, maybe? Wlad wasn't nearly as proven as Ruiz at the time... but he still hadn't been knocked out by Sanders (that happened the week after Jones/Ruiz if memory serves), so even though he hadn't done as much as Ruiz, he was looked at as the better fighter at the time.
Who i had ahead of him has no meaning by ranking him #5. That was where the ring had him ranked at the time. which was probably the most legit and most repected ranking system at the time. But who i had ahead of him was lennox, byrd, and both klits
As sad as it sounds, at the time, Ruiz' win over Kirk Johnson took a giant shit on anything Vitali had done to date.
Also, as I said at the time, if Ruiz was such an easy beat where was the line of guys looking to take the title?
I disagree. I think Vitali's beating of Byrd proved he was the goods. His unfortunate injury and quit job aside.
He wasnt easy. He was a disgusting hugger. But Jones was too quick to be caught in that. Most heavies werent. Byrd would have raped Ruiz.
Sorry, a win over Johnson was a lot more valuable in terms of ratings in 2003 than a loss to Chris Byrd.
Perhaps most was a bit much. I really just mean you, which is more relevant to this discussion anyways.
A lot more than a loss though. Either way, Vitali wasn't rated ahead of Ruiz in the 2003 ratings because he didn't deserve to be. I looked it up. It was Champ: Lewis 1. Wlad 2. Byrd 3. Tua 4. Holyfield 5. Ruiz 6. Rahman 7. Vitali
Vitali hadn't done enough to be ranked higher. This isn't a who beats who list, it's who was more accomplished in 2003.
It was the least risky fight out there for jones to capture a strap. As you remember Jones was in love with belts. Even claimed to be champ after beating Ruiz. Compared to Byrd and Lewis, yeah it was easy. Lets not forget, James Toney did the same thing to Ruiz.
Actually its just my opinion. But the Ring magazine list had Ruiz at #5. So im not sure what the debate is. You are debating my opinion on Vitali?
Jones also said he'd fight Tyson for 100 million dollars. I wouldn't put much store in what Roy was saying after the win. He did win a belt so could call himself the champ. Whether you and I disagree with him is irrelevant. Roy Jones was a HW champion of the world.
Actually because i think he was a better fighter fighter. I thought his beating of Chris Byrd was good, despite the injury. The man KOed damn near everyone in front of him. You are impressed with a DQ win.