Over the years a very good heavyweight contender from the late 1970’s and early 1980’s has been all but forgotten. Big Leroy Jones lost only one fight in his professional career and that was to the great Larry Holmes.
Leroy was a two-time New York Golden Gloves champion who turned professional in 1973. A naturally big man, Leroy weighed 228 for his pro debut. He would go on to weigh 240 or more for future battles. Nevertheless he was light on his feet and a very smooth boxer. Many compared his style to former contender Buster Mathis Sr. Jones would reel off seventeen straight wins including victories over Larry Frazier (twice), Rico Brooks, Big Jim Gilmore (twice) and Jody Ballard. In 1976 he fought a ten round draw with another highly touted prospect, Pedro Lovell.
Leroy bounced back to put together a seven fight win streak that would carry him to a shot at the world’s championship. He defeated rugged Dino Denis and won the North American Boxing Federation heavyweight title with a twelve round decision over future world titleholder Mike Weaver.
On March 31,1980 Jones met Larry Holmes at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for the World Boxing Council’s version of the heavyweight title. Larry dominated the action against the 254-pound Jones. The fight was stopped at 2:56 of round eight with Holmes retaining his title. Leroy was well behind on all three cards at the time of the stoppage. Jones also suffered a detached retina that would force him to retire for two years. Leroy came back in 1982 weighing 275 pounds but he halted Jeff Shelburg in two rounds. That was Leroy’s last fight.
Jones ended up with a very formidable record of 25-1-1. He won thirteen contests via the kayo route. He was among the top ten heavyweights in the world for over a three-year period.
Leroy Jones ! WoW…….i havent heard that name in 30 years thank you
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