in their prime, Jones vs Hopkins

This is why I feel that Jones would always beat Hopkins. Stylistically Jones is not going to lose to a counter puncher. To beat Jones you have to press the action, dictate the pace and apply constant pressure. You need to have a solid grasp of fundamentals and you also need a good chin and good power. But if you are a natural counter puncher and you're not pressing Jones rather you are effectively making it a chess match, with his hand and foot speed expect a lop sided decision loss.


BTW Jones didnt need the Hopkins rematch, He already won the first fight decisively. He presented B-hop with an offer in 2002. 60/40. At the time he was the bigger star and had more available options. Hopkins wanted 50-50 which IMO was unreasonable. As a businessman never concede at the negotiating table especially if you have the upper hand and you have no reason to be desparate. You'll only devalue yourself. Jones went on to beat John Ruiz for the WBA HW title which IMO was more impressive than if he fought and beat Hopkins AGAIN.

 

I'm a HUGE fan of Hopkins but I went with already happened. Prime Jones was a monster.

 

Jones won

 

Prime Jones was just a freak of nature, and Hopkins in his prime was pure genius. This will be a close fight however it will be Jones winning a Ud 115-113

 

it's very hard to pick anyone to defeat a prime rjj at lhw

 

Ever see a prime Hopkins?

 

Guessing he hasnt. Either that or didnt pay much attention.

Sorry, but no way, no how ANYONE dictates the pace vs a PRIME Hopkins! He is the very definition of Ring General.

That said, Roy was an absolute FREAK....so he could easily win rounds where he didnt dictate the pace.

Again, this fight is TOO close to call. I lean toward Hopkins, only for the timing and his inside/dirty fighting ability. But as I said....I wouldnt be surprised in the LEAST by Jones winning.

Lets just say, I wouldnt bet no money on it. :yep

 

True^^^^

 

Actually not true.

First, during the Jones fight, NEITHER man had come close to reaching their respective primes yet.

Jones got bigger...and matured as a boxer. Hopkins got smarter and completely changed the way in which he fought.

(Obviously, it was alot more in depth of growth than what I mentioned....Im too lazy to spend a few paragraphs going into detail on it.)

Second, his punch output and aggressiveness dropped dramatically in the Taylor fights...where it was precisely his entire gameplan was to sit and wait on Taylor to punch himself out...then attack in the later rounds.

Was his output diminished vs Tarver? NOPE! Winky? NOPE!

Now did he have a greater output in and around the Jones fight (and previous to that)? Yes. But he reinvented himself into a totally different fighter after that. A more reserved, defensive counterpuncher....as opposed to a swarming high output fighter.

And finally, he may have been 28...but you are forgetting the simple fact that he spent 4 years in a state pen. He was essentially a 24 year old fighter (which, along with his renaissance as a defensive oriented fighter, led to his unfathomable longevity.....). Again, as the first point...he was not in his prime as a fighter vs Jones.

:thumbsup

 

The Roy who fought Griffin(2), at that point in his career and with the motivation he had that night, KO's any version of Bernard, early.

 

Yeah......ummmmmmmm, no......not really.

:verysad

I mean.......no......

:-(






















































atsch This post cant be serious.

 

Based on what?

 

Yep, it's a fight I wouldn't put money on either, and I agree that I would lean towards Hopkins in a rematch.

 

Roy , before he became shot, was the best pure boxer of his generation. Best defense, best offense, fastest, both of hand and foot.

He was on his way up when he faced Hopkins. BHop was still improving and got a little better a few years later (and a little dirtier). He was a tougher nut to creck circa 1998.

Roy was also improving and improved MORE than BHop. he peaked at supermiddle and light heavy.

Roy did not always go for the KO, content to simply out box his opponent, especially after witnessing a devastating injury to afriend in the ring.

But on the night he faced Montel, he was pissed off at the guy. He predicted an early KO and he showed he meant business from the opening bell. (I would pick Griffin over Bernard at 175). He attacked with a controlled level of anger and determination and KO'd a guy he might normally have outpointed.

Bernard is one of the top five middlewts, alltime. He is an ATG and a future HOFer and was on my recent list of my twelve favourite currently active boxers.

That said, he would not have much chance against a prime Roy. The skill level difference was way too great.

Roy easily out points the man, and, if sufficiently motivated, stops him.

 

Jones, easy. He may not have a chin but was a virtuoso in his prime. He didn't get hit and probably lost 4 rounds in his career up to the 1st Tarver fight. Hopkins wouldn't have troubled him at all. Jones' prime was at 168. :rofl :rofl :smoke :smoke