Roy Jones Jr knows well the demands that weight classes put on a fighter’s body.
The Hall of Famer is the only man in history to start his professional career off at super-welterweight and go on to win a heavyweight world title. All in all, Jones won honours in four divisions.
And he’s now given his opinion on Jermell Charlo, who looks to add to his undisputed status at super-welter by jumping up two divisions and challenging Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez for all four super-middle titles.
It’s something ‘RJJ’ believes is risky, as he explained to Fight Hub TV.
“It’s strange for ‘Mell because this is his first time going that high, and he’s doing it for two weight classes. So to jump one weight class is good, but when you jump two it’s a little bit difficult cause it’s more of a significant amount.”
Despite Charlo not being physically the smaller man and likely comfortable reaching the number on the scales, Jones’ view about dealing with a new type of power is valid.
He says what the American is planning is potentially dangerous, but special if he pulls it off.
“You don’t know how your body’s gonna react to that, that’s why guys usually go up a couple pounds and then a couple more. You just gonna take that 14 pound jump? You gonna see what happens, but that’s dangerous because you don’t know how your body’s gonna react.
Can you carry that for twelve rounds? Can you take a punch that well twelve rounds? It’s a lot of questions to be answered. If you’re a special guy – which he may be – he can do it.
It’s kind of a suspicious but gutty thing he’s doing.”
Charlo makes his 168lbs debut against Canelo on September 30 in Las Vegas.