On February 16, 1986, Guyanese lightweight boxer Jeff Roberts entered the ring at the Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York carrying a record of four wins, eight defeats and one draw. After the 10-round bout with American Calvin Grove, another defeat was added to Robert’s resume.Grove was the winner by unanimous decision when the judges score sheets were tallied. One month before meeting Grove, Roberts had pounded out a unanimous decision victory over Jocko King at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City.
Roberts joined the pro ranks in May 1980 and would have his last fight 12 years later. He would be remembered for his epic battle with Michael Benjamin in November 1987. Roberts lost that contest by a majority decision with the Guyana lightweight title at stake.
He travelled to France for his last professional outing which ended on a losing note. His Senegalese opponent Jean Baptiste Mendy won by fifth round knock out to leave the Guyanese with a 6-16-1 record.