A prime Roy Jones Jr. is often referred to as unbeatable, with his angles, power and dynamism making him the standout pound-for-pound star during the 1990s and early 2000s.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Florida-born fan-favourite lost just one of his first 50 professional bouts and did so due to a controversial disqualification after hitting Montell Griffin following a knockdown, but avenged that \u2018loss\u2019 with a first-round knockout in an immediate rematch<\/a>.<\/p>\n During that first half-century of bouts, Jones scored iconic wins over the likes of Bernard Hopkins, James Toney and Mike McCallum, as he cemented himself as the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet and as the BWAA\u2019s Fighter of the Decade for the 1990s.<\/p>\n Despite the astonishing achievements of Jones Jr., two-division world champion Paulie Malignaggi was happy to compare the skill of the American to Britain\u2019s Ben Whittaker, but questioned Whittaker\u2019s mentality following a close shave against Conor Wallace<\/a>, on ProBox TV<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201c[Ben Whittaker] has an amazing amount of talent. If he has any balls, this kid can go really far. [Sometimes he looks] almost like he wants a way out. It\u2019s like he doesn\u2019t mind if you give him a way out that\u2019s the worst way out.<\/p>\n \u201cHe looks like the best thing since sliced bread to [then] all of a sudden he just doesn\u2019t care how bad he looks anymore.<\/p>\n \u201cYou see generational talent level within his boxing ability, but does he have the mindset? Boxing at a high level is [about] becoming comfortable being uncomfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf he\u2019s showing these deficiencies at this level, dude, that\u2019s a hard climb. I think of the guys that Roy Jones had to face that he made look easy, they were rugged dudes.<\/p>\n \u201cI mention Roy, why? Because I think Whittaker has that kind of talent. His physical gifts, you don\u2019t see that. It\u2019s out of this world. It\u2019s Roy Jones-esque in a lot of ways. But I still question whether he\u2019s got the mentality.\u201d<\/p>\n Olympic Silver Medalist Whittaker has become well known in the pro ranks for his flashy style and showboating, and has shown the skill and finishing ability under trainer Andy Lee to back it up. Fans, fighters and analysts still question his level, however, after a strange showing against Liam Cameron in their first fight \u2013 Whittaker won the rematch by stoppage \u2013 and the last few rounds against Wallace.<\/p>\n