Hopkins wasn´t what he would became later on, he still needed two years. Valdez was a whole different, higher class fighter than the Hopkins who fought Jones. And Toney, well, he doesn´t fight like Valdez and Jones had a huge style advantage. Against Valdez he wouldn´t have that.
No Valdez wasnt a higher class fighter than Hopkins, Hopkins had far superior footwork and skill than Valdez at that stage whos feet looked to be in quick sand at times. Hopkins would become savvier in years to come but he was 28years old at his physical best even if he became a bit more cunning in age. Stylistically a more cautious Hopkins would do worse against Jones anyway. How do you figure out Jones wouldnt have a stylistical advantage when Valdez is easier to hit the Toney, a worse counter puncher, slower than Toney. Obviously Valez could punch, but so could Toney, both fighter try to roll and counter with the right, both had eff all chance of doing it against Jones. Valdez is better at applying pressure than Toney but hes worse than the Hopkins because hes slower of hand and foot and pretty easier to figure out what hes going to do. Valdez might well not win a round in this 1, no disrespect to him
Good to see some credit to a fighter like valdez but Jones is way too quick and slick. A wide UD all day long.
I still think that preMonzon Valdez is being painfully and wrongly underrated by you posters, and Pea...I respect the hell out of your opinions, as you know, but come on, Valdez was SHOT when Corro got to him.
The Valdez that walked through Briscoe in three fights with a high punch output exhibiting both power and skill as well as durability and determination would walk Jones down, wear him out, and stop him late.
A good thread but don't forget that Rodrigo, born in 1946, turned pro in 1962 at the ripe age of 16. Yes, yet another fighter that was thrown to the wolves early and awkwardly. IMO we never saw Rodrigo as we should have. Perhaps RJJ UD's him but I've always been suspect against all these period matchups. A prime Valdez gets into every ATG MW's wheelhouse and causes major problems. For that matter, a prime Eddie Gregory raises big-time hell against any ATG middle or LH that he could have stepped into the ring with. My $0.02
Jones UD. Valdez KO is possible but not the most likely explaination. And Jones' chin "vulnerability" is just as valid as holding the Corro loss against Valdez. Neither happened in their primes so neither should count.