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The Roar

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Green stuns Roy Jones Jr in first round to defend title

2nd December, 2009
2

Australia’s Danny Green scythed down a boxing legend as he stopped American superstar Roy Jones Jnr in just two minutes at Acer Arena on Wednesday night.

Making the first defence of his IBO cruiser weight world title, 36-year-old Green floored Jones with a big right hand to the head after one minute.

Sensing his opponent was still vulnerable, Green applied further pressure and backed up the American who suddenly looked all of his 40 years.

Several unanswered punches prompted English referee Howard Foster to stop the bout after just 122 seconds.

Jones landed a handful of punches in the opening minute during which both men felt each other out with quick jabs.

Jones, a four-division eight times world champion, offered no excuses for a defeat which could signal the end of a wonderful career.

“We don’t make excuses, it was a great performance by Danny,” Jones told the crowd.

Green sounded almost apologetic after humbling one of the greatest fighters of this or any other generation.

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“He’s one of the greatest fighters of all time and the opportunity to fight him in Australia, thanks Roy Jones Jnr,” Green told the crowd.

“I almost feel bad doing that, that almost most hurt me to do that to someone whom I aspire to look up to as a professional fighter inside and outside the ring.

“He’s a bloody legend.”

The incredible win was undoubtedly the highlight of Green’s eight-year professional career and improves his record to 28-3, with 24 KOs.

Jones is scheduled to have a rematch with his old American adversary Bernard Hopkins early next year, but that bout and his continuation in the sport must surely now be in doubt.

Green dedicated the victory to the memory of his niece Sophie, who passed away in 2006.

Although he trumpeted his underdog status before the bout, Green took aim at the critics who had given him no chance of upsetting Jones.

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“I didn’t surprise myself,” said Green, who said the victory was for all Australians.

He described the victory as the third greatest moment of his life following the birth of his children Chloe and Archie.

Challenger Jones, whose record now stands at 54-6, with 40 KOs, was the first man into the ring following an almost interminable hour-long wait after the final undercard bout.

He received a warm welcome, but it was almost quiet compared to the rapturous reception Green got as he waited for over one minute after the start of his traditional walk in song, Men At Work’s iconic Down Under.

“That’s the greatest victory by an Australian fighter ever,” Green’s trainer Angelo Hyder said.

Green believed he had cemented his legacy as one of Australia’s greatest fighters.

“It was one of the greatest victories in Australia’s history,” Green told reporters in his dressing room after the fight.

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While some of his family members, including wife Nina, had predicted an early round victory, Green was rather more conservative.

“I thought I was going to grind him down, I never predicted a knock out, but I had round 11 in my mind,” Green said.

He said he noticed Jones had come into the ring completely dry and without any sweat.

The Australian said while Jones did catch him with some punches, they were “not that fast.”

He revealed details of his fight plan which included switching his attack between the body and head.

“The snakes (body punches) downstairs and the hammer (head punches) over the top,” Green joked.

Asked about the punch which felled Jones, Green said.

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“When I saw it, I thought ‘this could be over’, I thought he was in trouble.”

Green said he heard Jones groaning near the end, but praised his beaten opponent as a “real warrior”

It was just the third loss inside the distance for Jones in his 20-year professional career following defeats by Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson in 2004.

Describing himself as ecstatic and proud, Green said he was humbled by the love and support he had got from the fans in the lead up to the bout.

He was too elated to speculate on future fights, but claimed Hopkins, who is due to fight Enrique Ornelas on Thursday Australia time, was “shitting himself” at the prospect of taking him on.

Trainer Angelo Hyder wouldn’t mind seeing Green tackle Hopkins and rated the win over Jones as a special moment in Australian boxing.

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