Well, when they met Jones was just entering his prime while Hopkins was at least 4 years away from it - I think his first prime fight was against Johnson. While Jones refined his game he basically stayed the same fighter, Hopkins on the other hand got much better. Jones is the faster, more powerfull one with better athleticism, Hopkins is technically better, the better ring general and imo the more versatile - Jones fought one style his career, Hopkins proved he can have success with different styles. The peak of Jones was against Toney, the peak of Hopkins against Trinidad. Those fights are a few years apart but if those would have fought each other I would favour Hopkins slightly, something like 52 to 48. A fight between both ten years back would also be very close but I would favour Jones slightly, something like 51 to 49. Prime for prime both are very close.
One has to be blind to not notice how much Jones' style had changed between his stay at 160-168 and his 175 lbs reign. Same as Hopkins had become less active by far later in his career, same way Jones' activity had dropped significantly and the frequency of his staying on the ropes increasing very much.
I'd still favour Jones, and I'd confidently back him. Don't forget he injured his hand in their fight, and wasn't 100% either. Hopkins' technical ability is no match for Jones' freakish speed, imo.
For those people here who belittle Jones' technical skills, I'd suggest you talk to some active or former boxers and hear what they have to say on the issue, whether they think it was all speed and reflexes, or that there was a lot of substance behind external flashiness.
There's no doubt he had technical ability. I'm not sure anyone's ever denied that. But his unreal speed and reflexes certainly helped.
I have heard several boxers speak that they liked to study Jones' fights in order to learn something from him. Having watched almost all his fights many times myself, some in slow motion, I know where they are coming from. Hopkins was more textbook, but not more skillful or versatile than Jones.
Any version of Jones 1993-2003 beats any version of Hopkins, hell Jones of today beats Hopkins of today too
I can't see it any other way than this. I don't think any fighter whose main weapon is their defensive ability beating Jones. Throwback technicians always did find trouble with intiuitive speedsters anyway. This was no exception.
Agreed, Jones is the worst type fighter for Hopkins, because he makes Hopkins greatest skills worthless.
