By Chris Beale: Roy Jones Jr. was once one of the greatest fighters in the world. He defeated people at many different weight classes and had a style that was unique to boxing. He could gloat in and out of the ring and no one could argue with the fact he was one of the best pound for pound fighters of his generation.

Jones Jr. was the first fighter in over a hundred years to go from middleweight champion to Heavyweight champion (winning the WBA title against John Ruiz), yet on his return to Light Heavyweight, he seemed to lose his reflexes and skills. He began a trilogy of fights with Antonio Tarver and despite winning the first fight, he lost the latter two with another loss to Glen Johnson in between.

Now while he did return to winning ways, he has since lost many times and while losing a few times is not a big deal to some boxers, it should be a sign for others that they need to retire in my view. Jones was amazing in his prime. He schooled a prime James Toney and many others but he needs to retire now if he wants to maintain his legacy.

Before the Tarver fight, Jones Jr. seemed like a dead certainty for the Boxing Hall of Fame. Now he seems like an old no longer skilled boxer desperate to regain his former glory. The people he is losing to are not apex predators in their division; they are 2nd and 3rd tier fighters, most of whom see Jones Jr. as a good name for the CV (resume). He is in serious danger of losing respect of boxing fans and the powers that be in boxing and risking his place as one of the greatest boxers who ever lived.

The fact is Jones would not last long against any of the World champions in that division. It’s not that they are great; it’s just that he no longer is skilled enough. A prime Jones would make mince meat of majority of the fighters from light-heavyweight to heavyweight, and maybe even the middleweight divisions too (I’d love to see an Andre Ward vs. a prime Jones Jr fight. Two very fast fighters against each other. I think Jones would win though.

Jones needs to retire he could easily make a living as a commentator or maybe even help train boxers and reinvent himself in the sport. Nobody wants to see a legend fall last as long as his has and he deserves better.