Johnson retains title after Jones knocked out

GLEN JOHNSON knocked out Roy Jones Jnr in the ninth round on Saturday night to retain his IBF light heavyweight title and cast more doubt on the future of one of boxing’s most storied fighters.

Jones lay on his back moving only slightly for almost four minutes after he was felled by an overhand right, followed by a short left. Trainers filled a towel with ice and slid it under Jones’ head as he lay on the canvas, but he had trouble opening his eyes.

Jones, 35, finally walked out of the ring with help from his trainers. Jones left the arena in an ambulance and was taken to the Regional Medical Centre at Memphis for a check-up. He walked to the ambulance without comment.

Jones turned pro after the 1988 Olympics, where it was widely perceived he was robbed of the gold medal. He has won titles at classes ranging from middleweight to heavyweight - last March he won a piece of the heavyweight title by taking the WBA crown from John Ruiz.

Last November, he captured the light heavyweight crown from Antonio Tarver in the first of their two fights. But he was defeated by a crashing left from Tarver in their rematch in May.