Bernard Hopkins vs Roy Jones in 2001-02

Jones Jr would have won a close but clear decision. I think Hopkins would be competitive, Jones Jr wasn't the invincible force he seemed, Griffin proved against a good defensive counter puncher with the right tactics he could become frustrated.

But in the end Jones Jr's speed would be too much. Hopkins lacked the one punch KO power to take out faster fighters who could outbox him and lacked the natural speed to compete with much faster fighters with movement and reach.

 

Jones by UD..

With Hopkins doing as much play acting and low blow feigning as we have ever seen.

Look what happened with shot Jones... Hopkins acted like a punk.. Roy was always in his head, and would have beaten him anytime before he went up to HW.. Which is why Bernard priced himself out.

 

Jones was just too slick and fast for Hopkins who would have beat him to the punch n dance away before Hopkins could get off. I think there is a reason Bernard finally got in the ring 17 years later to bully a shot Roy Jones that had no business being in the ring, little own against a p4p fighter.

 

Jones was still close to being "Roy Jones" at that time. It was a couple of years later, after the 25lb drop in weight, which he became weak chinned, no legs Jones.

In 2001-2002, Roy would comfortably UD Hopkins.

 

Would it be 60/40? If so, Jones would kicks his ass.

 

2001 would still be prime Hopkins though. Nothing Taylor had would have troubled Prime Hopkins. Some of the guys Hopkins beat in his prime were better than Taylor. I think a Prime Hopkins moving up in weight, would have more power, and still have some of his athleticism. If they fought at a catchweight of 168, I would favor Hopkins, in a close fight. If Hopkins had to move all the way up to 175. I would favor Jones Jr. in a close fight.

Recall that when they first fought. Jones Jr. was much more developed as a fighter than Hopkins, and Hopkins didn't take an ass whooping. Yeah it was a wide decision, but Hops was never hurt, and even had a little success offensively. Also recall it looked like Jones Jr. outweighed him a bit in the ring. Hopkins was thinner, Jones Jr. was super roid, I mean Roy. In my opinion, a prime Hopkins was a much more improved fighter than prime Jones was. I think that improvement makes the fight almost a pickem, depending on the weight they fought at. Hops definitely would hit harder at 168 or 175.

 

No version of Hopkins beats a prime Jones or close to it .

 

Jones probably by KO. Roy was at his peak at this time and was practically untouchable, but he also was at his peak in punching power too. A lot of guys probably couldn't go 12.

I think either Jones by late TKO or decision. I don't think Hopkins himself believed he could beat that version of Jones.

 

Jones is going to KO Hopkins, but he couldn't KO guys like Telesco, Del Valle, etc. smh. Not happening.

 

Lol! Ya that was some classic RJJ attempt at trashtalk.

But if they had agreed at that time Jones schools Bhop to an easy UD.
-too fast, too talented, too unconventional for Bernard's craft and traps.

 

Hopkins would be moving up in weight.

 

While Bernard Hopkins was still in his prime in 2001/2, as a lifelong fan, I have to admit it was 4 or 5 years past his peak performance, which was against Glen Johnson. Had that version of Hopkins fought Roy Jones Jr. in 1997, I would take Hopkins by KO. Hopkins really was that unstoppable in 1997.

Still, I think the Hopkins of 2001/2 would win by decision, but in a much more exciting fashion than the 2010 fight. (Remember, Hopkins never lost during his prime, which lasted from 1995-2004.)

 

:rofl


Hopkins by KO


Hopkins couldn't KO a shot Jones !

I will say it again no version of Hopkins beats a prime J ones ..He just couldn't handle fighters with good hand speed . Taylor , Calzaghe , Dawson and Jones all beat a prime Hopkins no matter how many times they fight !

 

No version of Hopkins beats prime Jones.