A prime Roy Jones Jr. is often referred to as unbeatable, with his angles, power and dynamism making him the standout pound-for-pound star during the 1990s and early 2000s.
The Florida-born fan-favourite lost just one of his first 50 professional bouts and did so due to a controversial disqualification after hitting Montell Griffin following a knockdown, but avenged that ‘loss’ with a first-round knockout in an immediate rematch.
During that first half-century of bouts, Jones scored iconic wins over the likes of Bernard Hopkins, James Toney and Mike McCallum, as he cemented himself as the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet and as the BWAA’s Fighter of the Decade for the 1990s.
Despite the astonishing achievements of Jones Jr., two-division world champion Paulie Malignaggi was happy to compare the skill of the American to Britain’s Ben Whittaker, but questioned Whittaker’s mentality following a close shave against Conor Wallace, on ProBox TV.
“[Ben Whittaker] has an amazing amount of talent. If he has any balls, this kid can go really far. [Sometimes he looks] almost like he wants a way out. It’s like he doesn’t mind if you give him a way out that’s the worst way out.
“He looks like the best thing since sliced bread to [then] all of a sudden he just doesn’t care how bad he looks anymore.
“You see generational talent level within his boxing ability, but does he have the mindset? Boxing at a high level is [about] becoming comfortable being uncomfortable.”
“If he’s showing these deficiencies at this level, dude, that’s a hard climb. I think of the guys that Roy Jones had to face that he made look easy, they were rugged dudes.
“I mention Roy, why? Because I think Whittaker has that kind of talent. His physical gifts, you don’t see that. It’s out of this world. It’s Roy Jones-esque in a lot of ways. But I still question whether he’s got the mentality.”
Olympic Silver Medalist Whittaker has become well known in the pro ranks for his flashy style and showboating, and has shown the skill and finishing ability under trainer Andy Lee to back it up. Fans, fighters and analysts still question his level, however, after a strange showing against Liam Cameron in their first fight – Whittaker won the rematch by stoppage – and the last few rounds against Wallace.
With the brakes now pumped on a showdown against pound-for-pound star Dmitry Bivol, Whittaker is now being linked to a rematch with Wallace, seeking a more dominant performance against the Australia-based contender as he continues to build towards a shot at world honours in the light-heavyweight division.
