Bernard Hopkins has named the one fighter that he believes was unbeatable during the prime of his career.
Hopkins had an accomplished professional boxing career of his own which culminated in him capturing world titles in two weight classes.
‘The Executioner’ held the undisputed middleweight championship between 2001 and 2005, defeating the likes of Felix Trinidad and Oscar De La Hoya during his dominant reign.
Another legendary opponent that Hopkins faced during his tenure was countryman Roy Jones Jr, who proved to be one of Hopkins’ greatest rivals.
Speaking to The RIng Magazine, Hopkins gave plaudits to Jones as he claims the former pound-for-pound superstar was ‘unbeatable’ at the peak of his powers.
“He was smart enough to neutralise my best weapons and smart enough to not get hit by my big shots. Even though I got my shots in he wouldn’t get hit by more than one. Like if I got one in … and that’s the thing about fighting unique guys … if a guy lands that one shot, normally there’s another coming behind that.
“He was an all-around thing – best boxer, best defence, offence…. Early career Roy Jones Jr. – speed, reflexes, unorthodox, that type of thing. No one, no one would have beat Roy Jones at that level, where he was at right there and then.”
Hopkins and Jones crossed paths twice during their respective careers, with their first encounter taking place back in May of 1993 when Jones defeated ‘The Executioner’ by unanimous decision to claim the IBF world middleweight title.
The legendary American duo faced each other for the second time in April 2010, though both fighters were visibly past their best. Hopkins got the nod over Jones in their non-title rematch at light-heavyweight.
