Johnson knocks out Jones

MEMPHIS – Jamaican-born Glen Johnson knocked out American Roy Jones jnr in the ninth round on Saturday to retain his International Boxing Federation light heavyweight title.

The unfancied Johnson, who won the vacant title in February with a victory over Clinton Woods in Sheffield, England, was leading on all three judges’ cards when, at 48 seconds of the ninth, he nailed Jones with a right cross to the head, and followed up with a left hook to the shoulder as Jones was already crashing to the canvas. “I’m not the best,” Johnson said.”I’m just a guy who’s willing to fight the best.”Johnson improved to 41-9-2, with 28 knock-outs, while Jones suffered the third defeat of his career against 49 victories.It was also the second straight knock-out of Jones, who lost his World Boxing Council light heavyweight crown when he was knocked out by Antonio Tarver in the second round on May 15.Jones, who captured titles in four weight divisions to lay claim to the title of best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, came into this bout without a title for the first time in nearly 10 years after the stunning loss to Tarver.His trainer, Alton Merkerson, acknowledged the knock-out could spell the end of Jones’s career.”That’s something he and I are going to have to talk about,” Merkerson said.”He’s getting hit now more than he used to get hit.”Johnson, who was just 8-8-2 in his previous 18 fights, said his aim throughout was to stay close enough to Jones to give himself a chance.”A lot of guys who fight Roy stay outside his punch and let him jump in with single shots,” Johnson said.”I decided I wasn’t going to let him jump in,” said Johnson, who like Jones is 35.”My game plan was to come in and beat him – if it comes to a decision, make sure you did enough work each round to get the decision.To that end, Johnson pressed forward from the opening bell and continued throughout to take the fight to Jones.”I just wanted to send a message that I was ready to fight, so if you’re not ready to fight, you’re gonna have a long night,” said Johnson, who won the opening round and set a tone.When Jones finally responded in the third round with a series of combinations, the champion kept coming.In the fifth, he used a right hand to hurt Jones, who rallied as the crowd chanted, “Roy! Roy!” The pro-Jones crowd at Memphis’s new FedEx Forum fell silent as Jones went down, the back of his head smacking the canvas.He remained still on the canvas for some moments before his eyes opened and, while still not moving, he was able to talk to his handlers.Merkerson said he had been diagnosed with a concussion.- Nampa-AFP”I’m not the best,” Johnson said.”I’m just a guy who’s willing to fight the best.”Johnson improved to 41-9-2, with 28 knock-outs, while Jones suffered the third defeat of his career against 49 victories.It was also the second straight knock-out of Jones, who lost his World Boxing Council light heavyweight crown when he was knocked out by Antonio Tarver in the second round on May 15.Jones, who captured titles in four weight divisions to lay claim to the title of best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, came into this bout without a title for the first time in nearly 10 years after the stunning loss to Tarver.His trainer, Alton Merkerson, acknowledged the knock-out could spell the end of Jones’s career.”That’s something he and I are going to have to talk about,” Merkerson said.”He’s getting hit now more than he used to get hit.”Johnson, who was just 8-8-2 in his previous 18 fights, said his aim throughout was to stay close enough to Jones to give himself a chance.”A lot of guys who fight Roy stay outside his punch and let him jump in with single shots,” Johnson said.”I decided I wasn’t going to let him jump in,” said Johnson, who like Jones is 35.”My game plan was to come in and beat him – if it comes to a decision, make sure you did enough work each round to get the decision.To that end, Johnson pressed forward from the opening bell and continued throughout to take the fight to Jones.”I just wanted to send a message that I was ready to fight, so if you’re not ready to fight, you’re gonna have a long night,” said Johnson, who won the opening round and set a tone.When Jones finally responded in the third round with a series of combinations, the champion kept coming.In the fifth, he used a right hand to hurt Jones, who rallied as the crowd chanted, “Roy! Roy!” The pro-Jones crowd at Memphis’s new FedEx Forum fell silent as Jones went down, the back of his head smacking the canvas.He remained still on the canvas for some moments before his eyes opened and, while still not moving, he was able to talk to his handlers.Merkerson said he had been diagnosed with a concussion.- Nampa-AFP