Danny Green must be truly honoured. Roy Jones Jr. has declared himself willing to fight outside of his beloved United States for the first time in his career for a shot at the Australian, and to boot, this is being billed as the biggest fight to happen in Australia since Jack Johnson travelled there to fight Tommy Burns for the World Heavyweight Title 101 years ago.
However, it's not all good for the likeable Aussie, who started boxing at the ripe age of 18. Roy Jones is currently experiencing a renaissance of sorts, having recently beaten Omar Sheika and Jeff Lacy impressively, and is determined to finish off his gleaming career strongly, so this fight means a lot to him.
All Roads Lead To Hopkins?
On the same night, Bernard Hopkins will fight Enrique Ornelas in the US, with a view to Jones and Hopkins fighting each other in the new year if they both emerge victorious from their bouts. This makes it vitally important that Jones gets the job done against Green.
To do this, he will have to hit and move, and use his feet to his adavantage. Green is a banger, but at the same time is slightly robotic and can be outmanouevered. The form book shows this, as Anthony Mundine and Markus Beyer, the only two fighters that have defeated Green, comprehensively outboxed him using their better footwork and head movement to beat "The Green Machine".
Green reckons that he has catered for this, and believes that he has improved massively on that side of things since his losses, but it should be noted that even if Green has become less rigid and can move better, Roy Jones is by far the best mover he's ever fought. However, Jones should be wary not to aim for a KO as Green is iron chinned, and should be able to take anything that RJJ throws at him.
"The Green Machine": A More Than Live Underdog
While Roy Jones Jr. is a quality operator, and has all the tools he needs to beat Danny Green, it is important that the Australian World Champion doesn't get counted out.
A principal reason for this is the power of Green. As his 80% knockout percentage shows, he can most certainly bang, and his left hook is fearsome. He handed Otis Griffin his first stoppage loss, and effectively ended the careers of Paul Murdoch and Stipe Drews (although the latter did admittedly take Green the distance). Some say that in his older form, Roy Jones' chin is a little suspect, and if Green can land a solid left hook or right straight, we will certainly find out whether Jones can take a dig anymore.
On the contrary, as mentioned earlier Green's chin has never been questioned. He has never been stunned, never mind on the canvas or stopped. Green also has a decent workrate. He will come forward, even if he is taking a few in the process, just to get his shots in. Green does have age on his side too, but by no means is he a 'spring chicken' himself at the age of 36. Saying that, he is much less shopworn than Jones, who has had one shy of twice the amount of fights than the Aussie (Jones has 59 in comparison to Green's 30).
This could be key for Green, who may try to drag Jones into the trenches (if this is at all possible). With Jones' mobility, he may have to be willing to take ten quality shots for every one he lands, but Green will always be in the knowledge that depending on which Roy Jones turns up, that shot could finish it.
Who Will Win Roy Jones vs. Danny Green?
This is a tough one to call, although another factor that may play into the hands of Green is that he is the hometown fighter. In contrast, we don't know how well Jones will make that long distance journey, and if it hinders his performance, then who knows what will happen?
Despite this, in the opinion of this writer, the safest bet is still on Jones to win on points. He should have enough trickery and speed to keep his foe at bay for the distance. However, for those of you out there who want to have a bet on something with good odds, have a punt on Green winning by stoppage somewhere between the 5th and 8th rounds.
How To Watch Jones vs. Green
For everyone outside of Australia and the US, GoFightLive will be showing the fight for $9.99. People in the aforementioned countries, check your local listings.
