Bernard Hopkins, the former two-weight world champion, has made a surprising admission about his boxing career. He says that even at his best, he'd still lose to Roy Jones Jr. in his prime.
Hopkins, known as "The Executioner," built an incredible legacy in the ring. He reigned as the undisputed middleweight champion and later grabbed a light heavyweight title at the age of 49, making him the oldest boxer to hold a world title.
Throughout his career, Hopkins beat some of the best in the business. He took down Oscar De La Hoya, Winky Wright, Felix Trinidad, and Kelly Pavlik. He even managed to defeat Roy Jones Jr. later in Jones' career, 17 years after losing to him in their first encounter.
But in a recent interview with Ring Magazine, Hopkins couldn't help but praise Jones Jr.'s exceptional abilities during his prime years.
"No one, no one would have beat Roy Jones at that level, where he was at right there and then."
Hopkins pointed out that Jones Jr. was smart enough to neutralize his best weapons. He avoided getting hit by multiple big shots in a row and had an unbeatable combination of skills.
According to Hopkins, Jones Jr. had it all - the best boxing skills, the best defense, and the best offense. His speed and reflexes were unmatched, and his unorthodox style made him nearly impossible to figure out.
This admission from Hopkins carries a lot of weight. As a fighter who faced both Jones Jr. and De La Hoya, he's in a unique position to compare their abilities. In fact, during the interview, Hopkins also revealed which of the two men he believes hit the hardest, though the details of that revelation weren't provided in the given information.
Hopkins' own achievements in the ring are remarkable. His reign as undisputed middleweight champion and his late-career light heavyweight title win at 49 years old solidify his place among boxing's greats.
But even with all his accomplishments, Hopkins' admission about Roy Jones Jr. shows the level of respect he has for his former rival's skills. It's a testament to Jones Jr.'s greatness and a reminder of just how special he was in his prime.
