It was a great career marred by the weakness of every great fighter…not knowing when to hang up the gloves.

Roy Jones Jr (54-6) hopefully has fought for the last time this evening in Sydney, Australia.  Squaring off against Danny Green (28-3), Jones had much more on the line than just a title belt, that being one final major pay-per-view payday against Bernard Hopkins.   Those hopes sank to the canvas as quickly as Jones bounced off it, as Green ended the bout at just 2:02 of the first round by technical knockout.

Jones began the fight with his typical peek-a-boo style, pawing his jab into the face of Green.  Pushing through the jabs, Green pressed into Jones and back him into the corner.   Green landed a hard right to the head, just behind the ear 1:13  into the round that dropped Jones to the canvas.

Appearing badly hurt, Jones struggled to get his feet under him  but eventually prepared himself to re-engage.  Green launched an unanswered on Jones, landing power shot after power shot as Jones absorb terrible punishment.  Jones eventually was able grab a clinch, but upon the restart by the referee, Green immediately attacked against and Jones was unable to respond again.  Referee Howard Foster had no choice but to call a stop to the fight.

As with every great fighter, there comes a time when the skills have become to diminished to compete at the highest level.  Jones’ success was defined by quickness and agility that was unmatched for many years.  Never a serious hard puncher, Jones relied on shocking barrages that took opponents by storm.  With his trademark skillset, Jones is nothing more than an ordinary fighter who should have retired back in 2003.

Given the results today in Australia, it appears that the pay-per-view with Hopkins is doomed.  Hopefully this defeat will encourage Jones to finally hang up the gloves on a stellar Hall of Fame career.