Jones vs Hopkins I

this is a hell of a fight. After viewing i don't think either Hopkins or Jones were green in this fight, in terms of ability. They had not yet had the time to accomplish what they would go on to accomplish because they were still building their names, but in terms of ability, they were at their peaks. Hopkins has that amazing footwork, his great inside tactics, his ring generalship and is at his physical peak. Jones has that unimaginable quickness, accuracy, and reflexes. Maybe an argument can be made that Jones was not yet as powerful as he would become later in his career.

What would this version of Hopkins would have done to the Taylor that he fought in 2005? It would have been a wash. Maybe even a knockout.

Good fight. Especially when you know what they go on to accomplish later on in their careers. In terms of combined ability, this fight is on par with many of the greatest fights ever. More than Jones vs Toney, where a point can be made that Toney was not at his best on that night, which is not Jones' fault but still an issue.

I think that in a rematch Jones would have been in major trouble. Hopkins seems to be starting to figure him out at the end of that fight.

and about the HBO commentating. Lampley sucks. He couldn't tell a landed punch from a blocked punch if he was the one getting hit. And Merchant is funny as hell. He keeps saying the fight is boring but he's obviously into it, and the crowd didn't boo once. They were obviously entertaind.

and Steve Smoger, what can I say, best ref in the business

 

the commentating crew was comepletely oblivious to Hopkins' greatness at the time which is why they did such a terrible job.

 

i saw Hopkins fighting off the back foot almost the entire time against Tarver. Against Jones, Hopkins was pushing him up against the ropes and much more agressive.
.

 

Jones didn't win easy. He won clearly. but it wasn't easy. Probably the hardest fight of Jones' prime