By Sam Singh: Here’s my argument for why Jones Jr. is the greatest 168lb-er in the division’s short history. I base my argument on two factors: (1) talent, and (2) defining win(s).  

Jones Jr’s main rival at 168lbs is obviously Joe Calzaghe, but here’s why I think Jones Jr. should be considered the greatest 168lb-er to this point in time.  

Stylistically, at super-middleweight, Roy Jones Jr. looked unbeatable. His style was phenomenal; he had blinding hand-speed, rapid reflexes, unbelievable (and at times 10-punch) combinations, he could box as well as bang and he could fight toe-to-toe as well as on the backfoot.  

His defining win at super-middle came against an undefeated James Toney who was ranked as the number one man in the division at the time Jones beat him. Toney was also ranked the 3rd best pound-for-pound fighter in the world by the Ring Magazine when Jones beat him.

To Jones Jr’s credit, considering he made his super-middleweight debut in ’92, it took him 2-years to fight the number one man at the weight in James Toney in ’94.   Other notable wins at super-middleweight for Jones Jr. include: Malinga, Byrd, Pazienza, Lucas, Brannon and Tate. Note: these were all fighters who were either (a) top-10 ranked Ring magazine contenders at 168lbs at the time Jones beat them, or (b) became top-10 ranked Ring magazine contenders at the weight after Jones Jr. beat them.  

In contrast, Joe Calzaghe won the vacant WBO championship against Chris Eubank in ’97. It was nearly 10-years later when Calzaghe fought Jeff Lacy in ’06. Lacy was ranked as the no.3 Ring magazine 168lb-er at the time Calzaghe beat him.  

Following fights with Sakio Bika and Peter Manfredo Jr., it was in ’07 when Calzaghe finally fought the no.1 man at super-middle in Mikkel Kessler. This was exactly 10-years on from the point he beat Eubank.

Also, a closer look at their defining fights show that wins over Jeff Lacy and Mikkel Kessler in no way compare to a victory over James Toney. Unlike the unproven Lacy or the limited Kessler, Toney was considered one of the very best fighters in the world when Jones beat him – not to mention he’s a future hall-of-famer.

What strikes out the most is the fact that out of 21 championship fights at super-middleweight, only 5 of his 21 opponents were top-10 Ring ranked contenders at 168lbs when Calzaghe beat them. In other words, Calzaghe beat 16 fighters who weren’t top-10 contenders in his division out of his 21 championship fights at the weight.   

Stylistically, Calzaghe’s never looked unbeatable. Following his split decision victory over Reid, many observers felt Reid had done enough to win the fight. There is also a strong argument to suggest Calzaghe’s punches were, at times, borderline slaps. In contrast to Jones, he was nowhere near as accurate nor defensively gifted having been floored against sub-standard opponents. To Calzaghe’s credit, he had a tested chin and the heart and will to win.   

But when you consider their individual level of talent and their defining wins at the weight, there is a strong argument to consider Roy Jones Jr. as the greatest ever 168lb-er to this point in time.   

Sure, Calzaghe has the flashy status of having made 21 championship defences at the weight, but it has to be emphasized that 16 of his 21 championship defences came against fighters who were never top-10 ranked contenders at 168. It also took him 10-years to fight the no.1 man at the weight.   

With Jones Jr’s style and talent, coupled with what he achieved at the weight in such a short time, Jones Jr. has a strong standing to be considered the best 168lb-er in the division’s short history.