RJJ + BHOP - 2 questions

people always say Hopkins was green into the RJJ fight, but truth is so was RJJ. They were about at the same stage in the development in their careers. Hopkins didn't get recognition until much later though.

In my eyes Hopkins gave RJJ the hardest fight of his career until RJJ was shot.

Roy Jones will always be the better fighter prime for prime to me. Not just based on their one fight but bsaed on their respective reigns at the top of the sport.

Hopkins' is a smarter fighter than RJJ and has better longevity.

In terms of greatness, I have RJJ ahead. But its relatively close.

 

i said this a couple of weeks ago, the first time they fought roy jones was a level above hopkins, roy had fought the likes jorge castro who was vastly experienced and had over 70 wins. up to the rjj fight hopkins never had a big test, he went into the fights knowing that he had more than enough ability to beat his opponent, RJJ was his biggest challenge and it was too big a challenge for him at that stage of his career.

i think in their prime years it would have been an incredible fight, but for me hopkins would just steal it by a round.

 

Although both started their careers at roughly the same time (1988/1989) I think most would agree that Jones had more experience b/c of his amateur backround. I think both were very good fighters at the time but BHOP peeked far later than Roy. However, all that said, I would still pick Jones to beat him anytime up until most recently. I still wouldnt count Roy out in a rematch at this stage (assuming he gets past JC).

 

1. Bernard actually had more pro fights and pro rounds then RJJ although RJJ of course had more amateur experience. Neither guy could be considered exactly green. I suppose you could say RJJ was closer to his best considering he had the biggest win of his career vs Toney just a year later while Hopkins didnt get his until 8 years later but he never did lose in between that time so it wasnt like he was some bum when him and RJJ 1st hooked up. Its all debatable.

2. Id pick RJJ to win at any time on Hopkins because part of what makes Hopkins so great is his ring generalmenship something Roy can counter. RJJ is faster on his feet and at hand,hits harder and is more active. Hopkins found RJJ hard to find in 93 and it would always be like that if Hopkins has to play catch the mouse game he isnt very effective.

 

1.I think Jones Jr was slightly more advanced in terms of his development, as one year later he turned in a virtuoso performance against the highly skilled world pound-for-pound#2 James Toney, while at the same time Bernard was struggling manfully with Segundo Mercado (retired with a career record of 19-10-2). This figures as Jones's skill was more to do with his incredible physical attributes, whereas Hopkins developed a more cerebral, defensive style.
IMO, Jones Jr's absolute peak was 1994-97 (aged 25-28), and Hopkins's absolute peak was 1997-2001 (aged 32-36).

2.If they had fought again at any point from 1993 til 2003, I think Jones would win by decision, probably unanimous, 9 times out of 10. His speed and mobility would be very difficult for Bernard to handle. If they fought anytime after the Ruiz fight until now, obviously Hopkins would be dominant as the burn down from heavyweight ruined Jones, he's shot to pieces now and has been for sometime. If they do fight again before they retire (and I doubt Jones will fight again after Calzaghe), Hopkins will brutalize him.

 

Did you see Jones v Griffin I?

 

It was an extrmemly BORING fight. That is all you need to know.

If they fought now at Light Heavyweight Hopkins would knock Jones out and that is why you will never see a rematch.

 

True.

 

both were about the same stage in their careers, with RJ having more of the name recognition due to his olympic performance, and his early flashes of brilliance (KO's, unmatched speed vs power, unseen reflexes, etc).

I think he had lost perhaps a 1-2 rounds his entire career prior to that point, but Hopkins did give him a "tough" fight considering his previous blowout performances.

Also, keep in mind that Jones fought hopkins with an injured hand, which in retrospect made his victory even more impressive. I've watched the fight at least 3 times, and I had it 117-111.

 

Bad day at the office i think. He showed what he could do to Griffen when he was pissed - and that he did in second fight

 

Better Longevity?..based off what?

Roy went up to HW and came back down in weight, it has taken him 3 years to get back to where he was at......B Hop is 4 years older and had been in more physically grueling matches than RJJ......

Hopkins is a smarter fighter?? Man Hopkins started fighting in Prison......RJJ has been studying the game of boxing since he was 3 and is one of the greatest boxers to ever grace a ring....I dont think anyone has dominated the opposition as easily as RJJ.

B Hop is a good fighter now but he got here beating up smaller guys ...RJJ has moved up from MW to HW.....something B Hop will NEVER do

 

To me it seemed like he wanted to win the fight without committing to his punches, i.e. win a decision with his jab. Now, as most should know, Roy doesn't actually have much of a jab: he flicks his left out straight, but he doesn't commit either with the shoulder, or any kind of step in. When you try to use that kind of a lackluster weapon against someone who has as strange a body as Griffin (not particularly tall, but exceptionally long, thick arms), it's not going to work.

 

I don't know about the other posters and their messages but as far as I know, Hopkins and Jones were both at about the same stage of development when they met each other for the vacant IBF MW title on the undercard of Bowe-Fergunson in Washington DC - actually, Hopkins was the number one contender and Jones had made short work of 21 out of 22 opponents. What I do believe in is that Hopkins learned a lot from failing to make the best approach against the most gifted and unorthodox Jones. Do not misunderstand me, Bernard was tough as nails and never took a step back but that's exactly where he failed. Jones vs Hopkins II when it was supposed to happen and HBO put them talkin live to each other would be just the greatest fight at those weight classes since McLelland-Jackson, Toney-McCallum and McLelland-Benn but there's no way Bernard outworks or outslicks Roy at that stage... Now, Bernard may even KTFO Roy but that has other things to it than just experience.