BEST JAB SHINJI TAKAHARA: He had a height and reach advantage and puzzled me with that jab. I got adjusted around the fourth or fifth round. In my boxing career I think (Takahara’s) jab was the most effective. BEST DEFENSE BERNARD HOPKINS: When I fought him, I was going through a lot – my daughter had died. I couldn’t really get him with a good flush shot. He’s real crafty: he uses his head, he keeps his head tucked in his shoulders and he keeps his jab out there too. He has a good jab – not like Shinki Takahara – but I would say as far as defense, Bernard Hopkins was the best. FASTEST HANDS PETER VENACIO: When I fought in Miami back in 1997, I beat Peter Venacio at Coconut Grove. He had real fast hands, plus he could hit. He was from Brazil. It went 12 rounds, we went toe-to-toe, blow-for-blow, he was a tough guy. I had to really dig deep to get that fight. He had great handspeed, long arms and speed like a cat. He knew how to snap that jab and follow with that right hand and that’s what stood out about him. BEST FOOTWORK RAY MCELROY: Ray McElroy and Peter Venacio had good footwork. I had to switch it up on Peter Venacio. I was walking him down, then I got him to walk me down. I was more effective being the matador, not the bull. Ray McElroy moved a lot. My corner told me to work on his body, he couldn’t take the punishment to the body and I stopped him in the seventh round. I would say Ray McElroy. BEST CHIN JULIO CESAR GREEN: I stopped him the last time but the first two fights were some battles. He was tough as nails. We fought the first fight in New York City, the second fight we fought in Tampa, Florida and the last fight we fought right here in Washington D.C. We had some wars. I would say him because he went to the distance twice. SMARTEST HOPKINS: Bernard Hopkins by far. Also, I would say Shinji Takahara, but he wasn’t fast enough and I caught up to him. Hopkins had ring generalship and smartness. STRONGEST GREEN: Julio Cesar Green first and Peter Venacio second. When we would tie up, I could feel Green’s strength. He would push me off. I didn’t want to get hit by a clean shot from him. BEST PUNCHER FELIX TRINIDAD: I still felt it the next day, but then it comes up that he was illegally wrapping his hands. Before I found that out, I gave him my respect. BOXING SKILLS VENACIO: I would say Peter Venacio because he threw a lot of jabs. He had good footwork too, he was slick, he had great cardio. We fought to the last second. BEST OVERALL HOPKINS: He’s so crafty; his defense was on point. I really couldn’t hit him with a flush shot. I’m not trying to make any excuses, but after I fought Felix Trinidad my career went on a downturn. All around (Hopkins) does it all, he’s not just one-dimensional. Someone like Julio Cesar Green; he’s one dimensional, he’s a bull. Bernard Hopkins can switch it up on you.
Trinidad “illegally wrapping his hands” lol. Vargas runs the same **** too. A technicality that doesn’t add power which De La Hoya, Hearns, Canelo to name a few have been “caught” doing. I guess whatever makes Joppy feel better about Tito taking his soul and wrecking him.
Best boxing skills Peter Venancio and Titos illegal wraps just another example as to why i dont take what most of these dudes say serious.
So you don't believe that he says Trinidad hit him the hardest and Hopkins is the by far the smartest opponents he ever fought?
Agreed. People tend to dismiss Trinidad as a middleweight. He lost to an alltime great champion who had an airtight defense. Trinidad could crack even at 160. He was beatable there but it took some doing.
