Artur Beterbiev has created a small buzz in recent weeks following his destructive stoppage of Callum Smith, but how would the current 175lbs world champion fare against Roy Jones Jr?
Beterbiev’s current stoppage streak, which stands at 20 straight early victories, has saw him conform himself as one of the best light-heavyweight fighters of the modern era but is that good enough to beat Jones Jr?
Paulie Malignaggi doesnt think so.
In an illustrious career that saw him capture world titles at four different weight classes including light-heavyweight, Jones Jr is correctly identified as one of the best fighters of all time.
After two knockout losses to Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson in 2004, Jones Jr’s career hit a downward trajectory, but his body of work beforehand was mightily impressive and Malignaggi makes him a clear winner against Beterbiev.
“People might think that I might be crazy on this one because I look at Beterbiev and he is such a powerful guy, such a strong guy, flat-footed but really strong and technically sound, but I think that Roy beats him easily,” said Malignaggi when speaking to ProBox TV.
“I think that he is tailor-made for him, he comes forward and he is technically sound, but he is way too slow.”