Multi-weight world champion Roy Jones Jr is regarded by many as being one of the greatest fighters to have ever laced up the gloves.
The Florida-native made his professional boxing debut way back in 1989, just under one year after his success at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul which he walked away from with a light-middleweight silver medal, though most people felt he deserved the gold.
Jones would go on to win world titles in four weight classes along the way, with the majority of his career success coming during the 1990s where he would defeat the likes of Mike McCallum, James Toney and Bernard Hopkins to name a few.
He made the move up to heavyweight to face John Ruiz in March of 2003, defeating his countryman via unanimous decision to capture the WBA heavyweight title in one of, if not the best victory of his tenure.
Speaking on a podcast with Shane Mosley, Jones was asked who hit him hardest in his career, and he actually revealed heavyweight great Mike Tyson as the biggest puncher that he ever faced, despite facing him in an exhibition bout back in 2020.
“Mike Tyson still the strongest puncher that I’ve ever been in the ring with. Ever. At 55 at the time, now I think 57 might be 58, he’s still the strongest puncher. First time he hit me in my chin I feel like a mule had kicked me in my chest.”
Tyson is widely considered to be one of the greatest heavyweights in boxing history. He remains the youngest world heavyweight champion ever, a record that he set back in 1986 when he defeated Trevor Berbick via second round stoppage.
‘Iron Mike’ would go on to capture the undisputed heavyweight championship shortly after his victory over Berbick, achieving this feat just days after he turned 21-years-old in 1987.
