Just watched Roy Jones-Bernard Hopkins again

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by KO Boxing, Dec 17, 2007.


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  1. PhillyPhan69

    PhillyPhan69 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I am a BIG B-Hop Phan! And believe he would have won a rematch (that's why RJJ created outrageous demands!) and so does RJJ! But this was a horrible fight. These were the 2 best MW's and neither one was willing to establish the dominance that was sought by fans. RJJ clearly won the fight, and had B-Hop befuddled (for maybe the only time in his carear). B-Hop seemed at a loss as how to attck RJJ and did not seem to get a handle on it till around rd. 9...I scored it 9-3 for RJJ, I could feasibly give Hop's a 4th, but didn't? Both fighters (and I use that term loosely) were way to tentative, showed way to much respect for the other. I veiw this as Hop's losing the fight more than RJJ winning it, only because neither guy seemed willing to let it fly!
     
    PhillyPhan69, Dec 18, 2007
    PhillyPhan69, Dec 18, 2007
    #16
  2. KO Boxing

    KO Boxing Boxing Addict Full Member

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    100% agree.

    But at the same time, you HAVE to compare that Jones against say, the Jones against Toney or Pazzienza. :good


    From a pure boxing point of view, I really do not mind this fight. It's obvious both guys were tentative; and knowing where they go in their careers and what they are/were capable of, it's kinda frustrating to see the lack of work (or perhaps, such respect of their opponent, which considering that their both ATGs now, is pretty smart on their behalf). BUT, forgetting who they are and what they can do (in hindsight), and just looking at the fight as it was at the time (a young undefeated star from the olmypics who was 21-0 with 20kos against the number 1 contendor who had come up the hard way, but still 22-1). Although they may not have shown exactly how great they would turn out to be, watch closely, and you'll see the slight touch of "greatness" evident in a number of things their doing. And it's quite nice to watch.

    Also good to watch Jones-Toney straight after. Damn!
     
    KO Boxing, Dec 18, 2007
    KO Boxing, Dec 18, 2007
    #17
  3. sambob

    sambob Active Member Full Member

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    I think its safe to say the Bernard Hopkins of the late 90s couldn't beat Jones, when he was at his peak. But what the Hopkins that fought Antwun Echols the second time, or the Hopkins that fought Tarver? If Hopkins was a bit more physical with Jones, I don't see why he doesn't have a chance of beating him.

    I haven't seen the fight, but isn't that how Glen Johnson beat him? Aside from Jones just being mentally not ready to fight anymore.
     
    sambob, Dec 18, 2007
    sambob, Dec 18, 2007
    #18
  4. sambob

    sambob Active Member Full Member

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    Dec 11, 2007
    Also maybe someone knows,, whats up with the first fight on Hopkins' record? Does anyone know the story of this? I would expect a fighter like Hopkins to have NO trouble with bums fought in his first few pro fights!
     
    sambob, Dec 18, 2007
    sambob, Dec 18, 2007
    #19
  5. KO Boxing

    KO Boxing Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Right now, off the top of my head, all I can help you out with is that it was at light-heavy, and afterwards, Hopkins took nearly 2 years off (reinvented himself, to a middleweight) and started off at 160 again. Collecting 22 straight wins, and becoming the number 1 contendor in the meantime.

    Also, Hops was in jail for 5 years prior. So him losing his first fight (as a light-heavy, nonetheless) doesn't mean too much at all.
     
    KO Boxing, Dec 18, 2007
    KO Boxing, Dec 18, 2007
    #20
  6. sambob

    sambob Active Member Full Member

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    Well as is obvious by his current status, the loss didn't mean ****. I was just curious.
     
    sambob, Dec 18, 2007
    sambob, Dec 18, 2007
    #21
  7. Lampley

    Lampley Boxing Junkie banned

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    Really? I think the Marvin of 1980-81 would have had matched up OK with Roy. With his chin, I think his workrate won't drop too much, and he certainly knew how to take advantage of a guy against the ropes.

    My impression of Jones has been that he was an under-muscular 160, and he was nearly perfect at 168. He was a big, strong middle, sure, but he was beneath his natural class, while Hagler was exactly where he needed to be.

    Roy obviously did have that edge in speed, but he also lost four rounds officially to Hopkins for going backward, when Hopkins himself did very little. If Jones were to back up constantly against the burrowing, jabbing, combo-throwing Hagler, Marvin would have a chance to win rounds even if Roy potshotted him cleanly on occasion.

    It would be a hell of a fight. Again, though, at 168, Roy gained so much strength that I think Marvin's physical advantages would disappear.
     
    Lampley, Dec 18, 2007
    Lampley, Dec 18, 2007
    #22
  8. Lampley

    Lampley Boxing Junkie banned

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    I've always wanted to hear Hopkins discuss that fight. It's not like it affects his legacy in any way.
     
    Lampley, Dec 18, 2007
    Lampley, Dec 18, 2007
    #23
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