Roy Jones Jr has revealed which of his previous opponents he considers the best of all.

Jones competed 76 times during his illustrious professional careerwhich started in 1989 and lasted until 2023.

His peak is believed to be in the 1990s and early 21st century, when Jones became a four-division world champion in middleweight, super middleweight, delicate heavyweight and even heavyweight.

In total, Jones has shared the ring with nearly 20 current, former and future world champions, but one man stood out when asked who was the best fighter he had ever faced.

In an interview with The Ring, he awarded this honor to three-weight world champion James Toney.

“James Toney probably had the best defense of anyone. You couldn’t hit him squarely; he was so elusive. His hip movement and shoulder roll made it very arduous to get a neat shot.”

He had all the tools, he was strenuous to hit, he could knock you out at any moment. He would be right in your face and you still couldn’t hit him.

Jones moved up to 168 pounds when he faced Toney in November 1994, stating that the unanimous decision won him the IBF super middleweight title and handed “Lights Out” the first defeat of his professional career.

Toney also reigned at middleweight and cruiserweight and became the WBA heavyweight champion after a victory over John Ruiz in 2005, but after he failed a drug test the result was changed to non-competitive.

Ultimately, Toney finished with 77 wins in 92 professional fights, with his last fight returning in May 2017 when he earned a stoppage victory over Mike Sheppard.

Floyd Mayweather is facing a up-to-date legal challenge after promoter CSI Entertainment filed a lawsuit seeking repayment of a $4.65 million advance allegedly paid to the boxing legend for two fights that never materialized.

On Thursday, TMZ Sports reported that CSI Entertainment filed a lawsuit in Fresh York claiming it paid millions of dollars for exclusive rights to exhibition fights featuring Mike Tyson and Manny Pacquiao.

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Last updated: 18/06/2026 at 22:02

Most people who make headlines about theft would probably prefer the attention to disappear. Looks like Floyd Mayweather wants more of it.

Days after criminal charges in Nevada brought renewed scrutiny to the undefeated boxing legend, Mayweather responded with a lengthy message in which he expressed satisfaction with the coverage and dismissed the criticism as merely free advertising.

Instead of expressing concern about the allegations, Mayweather argued that negative stories only enhance his image and create more opportunities.

“Free Promotion”

Mayweather addressed the growing interest in the case via social media.

“Lies and negative news always travel faster than the truth. That’s how it works. Unhappy people love bad news.

“I love stories that they say can destroy the strongest being on earth, the BLACK man.

“At the end of the day, my name remaining in the media is still my name remaining in the media. Attention is attention.

“People are still talking, people are still watching, and that attention is still generating opportunities.

“I am focusing on what I have always focused on: family, generational wealth and staying away from other people’s affairs that are not mine.

“So please keep posting. More blogs, more lies… Free promotion and I’ll happily take every line!”

The news was Mayweather’s first direct reaction since headlines about the case began dominating boxing news.

Greece is waiting

Mayweather is expected to travel to Greece in the coming days ahead of his June 27 exhibition fight against Mike Zambidis in Athens.

Mayweather’s problem is that history won’t go away.

Another wave of questions awaits when Mayweather lands and starts making public appearances during fight week.

Reporters will want answers. Cameras will track your every move. Every interview will eventually come back to the allegations.

Instead of talking about Zambidis, Greece or even the possibility of a rematch with Manny Pacquiao later this year, the conversation now focuses on the theft charges, the disputed purchase of a $200,000 watch and the possibility of grave legal consequences should the case move forward.

A week of shadow over the fight

Mayweather clearly opposes the media reports and seems determined not to retreat from the spotlight.

Whether this approach will work is another matter.

The entire fight week, weigh-ins and fight night may now be dominated by the issue hanging over the former five-division world champion.

Any microphone placed in front of him runs the risk of reducing the discussion to the same topic.

For now, Mayweather seems comfortable with this reality.

His message to critics, bloggers and anyone speaking out about the allegations remains elementary.

“Keep posting.”

About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.