Jones shows Green he's the real deal
Sydney Morning Herald
Monday August 17, 2009
AUSTRALIA'S newest world boxing champion, Danny Green, sat ringside not long after winning the IBO cruiserweight title and watched as his next opponent €“ the great Roy Jones jnr €“ made mincemeat of former superstar Jeff Lacy.Jones unleashed a devastating barrage from the outset on Lacy, a two-time world champion, in the grudge-fest billed as the Battle of the Hookers before the outclassed fighter's corner stopped proceedings after the 10th round.Jones, an eight-time world champion, looked lightning fast against an opponent who has clearly seen better days. The crowd chanting "knock him out" was a bitter epitaph for a fighter who was feared in his heyday.Incredibly, the fight almost didn't occur after the two camps couldn't agree on which gloves to wear. Hindsight suggests Lacy should have escaped when he had the opportunity.During the slaughter, Jones turned his head in Green's direction and yelled "watch this" before clubbing Lacy with damaging blows. On another occasion he commentated the bout for the benefit of the media, and on yet another occasion he responded to a fan's urging for him to finish Lacy off by landing a blow and then stopping to ask if that was what the punter had in mind.Green watched every blow with interest. By both he and Jones winning their respective fights at the Gulf Coast Arena, they completed the groundwork for their super bout to go ahead in Australia later this year.The pledge by NSW Events to financially support the fight has made Sydney the most likely venue."Wow, that was super impressive," said Green of Jones's display. "Unreal. The speed [of Jones's punches] was incredible ... I'm really happy because our fight can now go ahead."It's going to be awesome. Roy proved he's one of the best in the world tonight ... it is going to be a great event. Australian fight fans are going to see a real legend in the flesh. It's going to be an event they'll remember."While some of Jones's fans warned Green their hero was coming for him, Green is a different fighter to the out-of-sorts Lacy who was dissected like a rat in a long and bloody biology class. The fact Jones could not put Lacy away earlier in the fight was telling. Green has proved before that he has a strong chin, he boasts power in both hands, and under new coach Angelo Hyder, he works angles brilliantly.Green created Australian boxing history last night when he joined Jeff Fenech as a world champion in three different weight divisions after disposing of Argentina's Julio Cesar Dominguez in the fifth round.After a slow start in the opening three minutes, Green quickly found his rhythm after landing a monster right hook. It was the beginning of five rounds of punishment and power punching. Throughout the process, Green continued to win over the hearts and minds of the American audience, enjoying incredible support from fans ringside and in the bleachers.Dominguez, however, won the Australian's respect for his courage to try and press the fight despite being outgunned."He has a solid punch," Green said. "I have a lot of respect for the bloke."Green, while nursing the IBO cruiserweight belt, said it would take some time for the achievement to hit home. "I'm all over the place," he said. "It's crazy ... I think it is a huge achievement, I mean, being a three-time world champion and in three weight divisions, is wild. I'm ecstatic but it won't be until I'm at home and having a cup of tea that it'll hit home."Coffs Harbour fighter Daniel Baff won his bout earlier in the night by second-round knockout.
© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald
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