I have to concede the division, you're right. But I certainly don't think Hop was prime for the first Jones fight.
I think that's fair but Jones wasn't in his prime either. And truthfully, Hopkins is a fighter who is pretty damn good in or out of his prime (see: Hopkins today). Both of them progressed immensely following their first bout and I think it's because both of them gained a lot of fighting each other. Specifically, how not to be so tight in a big fight. Beating Hopkins at any stage of his career is quite an accomplishment. Beating him that decisively even moreso.
Sure. My point was that its hard to argue he missed much at 60 anyways considering the timing. Malinga is an underrated win. He still could have done much more at 68. That he didn't is one reason I'd agree with you his career can be seen as underachieving (if being one of the top 50 fighters of all time can be considered such a thing).
LOL you call Hopkins green yet bring up Qawi you're a joke.
Yeah Roy Jones Jr is the worst boxer to ever step in a ring that is what you want to hear right? Stop pretending to boxing fan.
Oh and by the way you're the guy who talks about proof so where is it?
Like I said, you really need to do some research. Qawi was in his 5th title defense when he fought Spinks and had already beaten Saad Muhammad twice, James Scott, Eddie Davis and Mike Rossman. Now who had Hopkins fought at the time of the first Jones fight that we could even consider comparable?
Jones was a great fighter, but he fought a lot of weak comp.
Like I said, you really need to do some research. Qawi was in his 5th title defense when he fought Spinks and had already beaten Saad Muhammad twice, James Scott, Eddie Davis and Mike Rossman. Now who had Hopkins fought at the time of the first Jones fight that we could even consider comparable?
Jones was a great fighter, but he fought a lot of weak comp.
I think that's fair but Jones wasn't in his prime either. And truthfully, Hopkins is a fighter who is pretty damn good in or out of his prime (see: Hopkins today). Both of them progressed immensely following their first bout and I think it's because both of them gained a lot of fighting each other. Specifically, how not to be so tight in a big fight. Beating Hopkins at any stage of his career is quite an accomplishment. Beating him that decisively even moreso.
I wouldn't really consider Jones prime either. But his amateur background and Olympic pedigree gave him a ton more experience as a fighter. Its a good win, but Hop certainly wasn't the fighter he would go on to become. It just gets me when people try to use him as an all time great when at the time he clearly wasn't.
I wouldn't really consider Jones prime either. But his amateur background and Olympic pedigree gave him a ton more experience as a fighter. Its a good win, but Hop certainly wasn't the fighter he would go on to become. It just gets me when people try to use him as an all time great when at the time he clearly wasn't.
Agreed, it made gave him more pedigree. But in the professionals, you aren't judged on the pedigree of your amateur career. You're judged by what you do as a pro and Jones beat Hopkins for the vacant IBF middleweight title. The win is a lot more solid then say...Salvador Sanchez beating an Azumah Nelson who had only 13 fights and eight days notice. Yet, Nelson is considered one of Sanchez' great wins. Or on a lower level, Hopkins himself beating up a 34-0 Glen Johnson. Countless examples. Do I think Hopkins was in his prime? No and neither was Jones. So there wasn't some advantage there. Both of them needed that fight to go out and kick everyone else's ass. But it's not a coincidence no one has ever been able to duplicate Jones' feat. It's a great win.
I agree. But at 175 Spinks beat the better fighters. What is your opinion on the my friend?
I agree lol. At 175, Spinks did beat the better contenders and, head to head, I suspect Spinks is one of the fighters that could've beaten Jones. Doesn't necessarily mean I rank him higher though but yea you're right.
Comment