MOSCOW — Once great Roy Jones Junior saw his fading career hit a new low Saturday as he was knocked out in the fourth round of a cruiserweight contest against Welshman Enzo Maccarinelli.
Fighting in Moscow for the first time since being granted Russian citizenship in September, Jones suffered a ninth career defeat and fifth by knockout.
The 46-year-old American was once regarded as the greatest pound-for-pound fighter in the world during his pomp from the mid-1990s for around a decade.
But ever since a shock second round KO defeat to compatriot Antonio Tarver for the lineal light-heavyweight title in 2004, Jones has been a shadow of his former self.
He came into the Maccarinelli bout on the back of an eight-fight winning streak, although only against overmatched opposition, since a brutal 10th round KO defeat to Russian Denis Lebedev in Moscow in 2011.
Former WBO cruiserweight titlist Maccarinelli, 35, has not held a world belt since losing that strap to compatriot David Haye in 2008.
Joshua wins British title
Olympic champion Anthony Joshua defeated former kick-boxer Dillian Whyte to take the British heavyweight title Saturday with a bruising seventh-round knockout and edge closer to a possible shot at the world crown.
The 26-year-old took his record to 15 knockouts from 15 fights since turning pro after winning 2012 Olympic gold in London.
Joshua’s latest win raises the prospect of a clash with WBO and WBA heavyweight champion Tyson Fury if his fellow British fighter beats Wladimir Klitschko in their world title rematch.
Saturday’s fight was the first time Joshua had been taken beyond three rounds in his professional career. — Agencies
