Bernard Hopkins, a boxing legend and two-weight world champion, has pointed to Roy Jones Jr. as the boxer who hit him the hardest during his career.
Hopkins, who became undisputed champion at 160lbs and won world titles at light heavyweight too, faced many great fighters in his time. He stepped into the ring with the likes of Sergey Kovalev and Oscar De La Hoya, but it was Jones Jr. who left the biggest impression.
Hopkins' career was filled with notable achievements and opponents, but a particular moment against Jones Jr. stands out in his memory.
In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Hopkins revealed the details of the hardest punch he ever took:
"The hardest punch I got hit with was when Roy hit me with a left hook early in that fight. I believe the 4th or 5th round. He hit me with a left hook to the body, to the ribcage, it got underneath my elbow."
Hopkins described the sensation as feeling like being stuck with a knife. He couldn't show pain to Roy, but the punch changed his approach and made him hesitant for the rest of the fight.
The boxing legend reflected on the moment:
"I knew I better not get hit with that no more tonight. My strength and determination is one of the reasons I didn't go down. History shows that fight made me better and that experience made me better. I know what a shot like that can do to you."
Hopkins' toughness shone through as he managed to stay on his feet despite the powerful body shot. The experience, he says, ultimately improved him as a fighter.
In other news, Hopkins recently made a prediction for the upcoming heavyweight rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, forecasting an emphatic knockout. However, no further details about this prediction were provided in the article.
