CRITICISM DESERVED? JONES' NATURAL TALENT, DOMINANCE, SPARK DISCONTENT FROM FANS.

Byline: Michael Rosenthal Assistant Sports Editor 

Consider Roy Jones Jr.'s accomplishments:

He's 44-1, with 36 knockouts, the one loss a controversial disqualification as he was about to knock out Montel Griffin. He's won titles in three weight classes. And he won a silver medal in the 1988 Olympics but was cheated out of the gold.

Not bad? Apparently, not good enough for many who follow boxing.

No fighter anywhere near Jones' ability is criticized as much. His detractors say he avoids challenges and is reluctant to give the fans what they pay to see: give-and-take battles. Those feelings have evolved into a ``Roycott,'' a small-time movement on the Internet to boycott his fights.

His supporters ask: Who is he avoiding? And, while they admit his fighting style doesn't lend itself to action, they contend he should be judged by his utter dominance.

How does Jones feel? He's going to do it his way - with his safety in mind - and disregard the criticism.

``I'm not Rocky Balboa. I'm Roy Jones,'' he said. ``And Roy Jones don't play you hit me and I'll hit you. Roy Jones plays I hit you and you don't hit me back.''

The question raised by Jones' supporters seems to be reasonable: Whom has he avoided?

Jones has fought five of 18 light heavyweights currently ranked in the top 10 by the four major sanctioning bodies - several are ranked in more than one - and he faces a sixth in Julio Gonzalez today at Staples Center.

That's 33 percent of the best light heavyweights in the world - not including one-time contenders no longer ranked - in 4 1/2 years in the division.

On top of that, he's beaten reigning champions Bernard Hopkins (middleweight), Eric Lucas (super middleweight) and Virgil Hill (cruiserweight), as well as cruiserweight contender James Toney.

The only significant name missing is Dariusz Michalczewski. So far, Jones has refused to fight the undefeated German in his homeland - and he's chastised for it regularly - and Michalczewski won't come here.

However, Jones has his reasons - good reasons, according to many.

``Roy was the victim of the worst decision in history in the Seoul Olympics (when he pummeled his opponent but lost a decision),'' said Max Kellerman, ESPN television analyst.

``He doesn't want to go to Germany and who can blame him? ... It's corrupt over there. Ask the people who fight (German super middleweight champ) Sven Ottke. The bell rings early, the judges are stacked. He doesn't want to get robbed again. And Michalczewski will never fight Jones, anyway. He's making the equivalent of two, three million dollars to fight nobodies. Roy would whip him.''

Jones would probably whip everyone, which is part of his problem. He might be a victim of his own ability.

Many believe the light heavyweight division is among boxing's weakest. Some of the contenders are accomplished fighters but none could be matched with Jones to create the fervor of such fights as Felix Trinidad-Oscar De La Hoya or De La Hoya-Shane Mosley.

The big names - and perhaps the big talent - just aren't there.

At the same time, this question must be asked: Are the light heavyweight contenders that bad or is Jones simply that good?

``He beats good fighters like Secretariat beat the field in the Belmont,'' trainer/analyst Teddy Atlas said. ``He doesn't win by just two lengths. Reggie Johnson is a good light heavyweight, a southpaw with a couple hundred amateur fights. Jones won by 15 lengths. James Toney was one of the best pound for pound and Jones made it a boring fight.

``I think people admire guys who overcome the odds with less, guys who find ways to win. We admire that. We also sometimes throw rocks at guys we feel were given an extra portion of talent, guys who might not have to work as hard in the ring. We shouldn't criticize a guy because of what God has given him.''

Jones stops his opponents - his high knockout percentage is evidence of that - but he doesn't do it with one thrilling, Tyson-like punch. He wears down his opponents until they're too physically or emotionally damaged to defend themselves.

Gonzalez, whose brawling style satiates typical blood-thirsty fans, understands their frustration.

``Sometimes it's fair,'' he said. ``Fans want to see him take some of these guys out, especially when he's got them in trouble. When it doesn't happen, people complain.''

Jones also understands the frustration. That isn't going to make him change his ways, though.

He's witnessed the potential result of repeated blows to his head. His friend Gerald McClellan was left an invalid after he took a terrible beating. Jones also revealed recently that he has brittle hands, which he claims limits the number of hard punches he's able to throw.

In other words, he wants to have a life after boxing.

``Why don't I get credit?'' he said. ``Because they don't see me in knock-em-down, beat-em-up, blood-sweat-and-guts-type fights. I'm not going to do that. It's not what I'm trained to do. I was trained to ... to methodically take him apart and beat him and that's that. What they want to see is not what they're going to get.''

Asked whether he understood that many people don't appreciate such an approach to the sport, Jones responded: ``Do you understand that I don't give a damn?

JONES vs. GONZALEZ

Who: Roy Jones Jr. defends his undisputed light heavyweight championship against Julio Gonzalez.

When: Today

Where: Staples Center

TV: Pay-per-view (begins 5:30 p.m.)

Other fights: Erik Morales defends his WBC featherweight title against Injin Chi; Andrew ``Six Heads'' Lewis defends his WBA welterweight title against Ricardo Mayorga.

Tickets sold: about 15,200

Tickets available: about 4,000

Who to call: Ticketmaster, [phone]; Staples Center box office, [phone]

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) Roy Jones Jr., right, has been criticized, ironically, because he is so much more talented than other fighters in his division.

Andrew J. Cohoon/Associated Press

(2 -- color) ``I'm not Rocky Balboa. I'm Roy Jones. And Roy Jones don't play, `You hit me and I'll hit you.' Roy Jones plays, `I hit you and you don't hit me back.' ''

Box: JONES vs. GONZALEZ (see text)