What does Hopkins have that Jones doesn't?

[ykdadamaja]

... considering that RJJ was a supreme talent and Hopkins and he are virtually the same age and been in the sport for the same amount of time?

Why is Hopkins successful in these later years and RJJ isn't??

[bradlee180]

Rock-solid fundamentals.

[La Cucaracha]

Rock-solid fundamentals.

Yea I was going to say that too I would add punch resistance

[SugarBoxing]

... considering that RJJ was a supreme talent and Hopkins and he are virtually the same age and been in the sport for the same amount of time?

Why is Hopkins successful in these later years and RJJ isn't??

Good question. Honestly, no idea.

I guess it is actually the opposite:What does Jones have that Hopkins doesn't?

Jones is about showmanship. He cannot just win in a boring -ass fashion. In his mind, this victory would mean or prove nothing.

[Spicoli]

... considering that RJJ was a supreme talent and Hopkins and he are virtually the same age and been in the sport for the same amount of time?

Why is Hopkins successful in these later years and RJJ isn't??

Good question. Honestly, no idea.

I guess it is actually the opposite:What does Jones have that Hopkins doesn't?

Jones is about showmanship. He cannot just win in a boring -ass fashion. In his mind, this victory would mean or prove nothing.

I don't know about you but watching him carry the shadow of Mike McCallum made a nap easier. Roy had phenomenal reflex and instinct but he stated a few times he basically didn't care what the fans thought, it was HIM taking the risks. If he wanted to carry outclassed guys like Fermin Chirino, fans be damned. Hopkins was always the more well rounded boxing basics and more adaptable type of fighter.

[p4pking]

Well yeah better fundamentals, a great chin, a more defensive approach, he's adapted... But it's not as if Roy Jones is the odd man out here, there is nothing unusual about his condition for a 45+ year old man. Hell out of the people who have been fighting as long as Hopkins has, Jones isn't even in bad company. Not to mention the vast majority of freak athletes rapidly lose that in their mid 30's, most just retire by then, in any sport. Roy has just stuck around way to long as so many do. You may as well ask what Hopkins has that Chris Eubank or Michael Nunn didn't, for some perspective on the eras.

[mikeeod]

Their mentalities are different also. Roy is a very talented man and extremely talented athlete. Bernard is a fighter. Every single aspect about Bernard is conflict, discipline and strategy. He had a quote that was very telling about who he is: "I can't sing like Oscar or rap/dance/play basketball like Roy. I am just a fighter".

[beenKOed]

Hopkins is still winning at the top level. Always figures out a way to win, whether it's fundamentals, desire, experience or smarts he keeps winning.

[La Cucaracha]

Their mentalities are different also. Roy is a very talented man and extremely talented athlete. Bernard is a fighter. Every single aspect about Bernard is conflict, discipline and strategy. He had a quote that was very telling about who he is: "I can't sing like Oscar or rap/dance/play basketball like Roy. I am just a fighter".

Agreed Hopkins has continued to challenge himself and fight against guys where he is not the favourite to win

[Gandalf]

It's a variety of things IMO. Hopkins has better fundamentals than Jones Jnr and he also didn't piss about with going up to HW and then jumping back down two weight classes. Jones Jnr messed his body up doing that and having relied so much on speed, was less able to adjust when his body wasn't quite the same. Hopkins went up in weight sensibly and was able to escape looking slightly less good in his final days at MW. In that sense, Hopkins is more savvy and self aware. He's a very smart man which is why I am a little confused about the Kovalev fight.

[Silkeyjoe]

Id say speed and relexes were such a critical tool for Jones and not so much for Hopkins. These faded meaning Jones' body couldnt do what his mind wanted.

[Jimanuel Boogustus]

Roy is all talent. Just an on going exhibition of God given talent and confidence.

Bernard..? Well it's very hard for me to put in to words but there are two words that are key for Hopkins:

Adapt. Control.

You look up these two words and you see elements of Hopkins in all of them. In all aspects of his life there has been this ideology that consists of a solid balance between the two very strong elements of adapt and control.

[ykdadamaja]

Their mentalities are different also. Roy is a very talented man and extremely talented athlete. Bernard is a fighter. Every single aspect about Bernard is conflict, discipline and strategy. He had a quote that was very telling about who he is: "I can't sing like Oscar or rap/dance/play basketball like Roy. I am just a fighter".

This was pretty good.

[Master]

Roy Jones relies on his reflex and athleticism which has faded with age whereas Hopkins has boxing skills and knowledge which has allowed him to continue at the top level. Hopkins has to remain supremely fit but smart when he fights.

[El Kabong]

He's cagey...RJJ relied on pure athletic ability. Not saying RJJ didn't put in work, it's the difference between a more physically gifted boxer and a more mentally tough boxer.