Who has a greater legacy? Hopkins vs Jones Jr

[LacedUp]

Jones Jr:

* Youngest middleweight of all times (still I believe).
* Has won world titles from Middleweight to Heavyweight (excl. Cruiserweight)
* Was in top 10 of Ring Magazine's P4P list 11 years straight, incl 10 years straight in top 3 (94-03).
* Beat Hopkins when he was first a world champion

Hopkins:

* One of the longest reigning middleweights of all times (95-05),
* Oldest champion in history of boxing
* Has featured on Ring Magazine's top 10 P4P list 9 times.
* Beat Jones Jr later in both their careers.

Discuss.

[Larry the boss]

Id have to honestly go with Hopkins

[Jack Napier]

it's Roy
he's greater rank wise than Hopkins and was better than Hopkins
of their 2 fights, Roy won the one that actually mattered
Hopkins just beats Roy in the longevity department
but Roy's resume is better than Hopkins' resume
both guys were indomitable for long periods of time
but Roy looked better doing it and and fought better opponents

[LacedUp]

it's Roy
he's greater rank wise than Hopkins and was better than Hopkins
of their 2 fights, Roy won the one that actually mattered
Hopkins just beats Roy in the longevity department
but Roy's resume is better than Hopkins' resume
both guys were indomitable for long periods of time
but Roy looked better doing it and and fought better opponents

I agree. Hopkins lived in Jones' shadow for a long time and Jones was always attraction. More attractive style and more entertaining fights altogether. But Hopkins is not that far off him imo.

[Jack Napier]

I agree. Hopkins lived in Jones' shadow for a long time and Jones was always attraction. More attractive style and more entertaining fights altogether. But Hopkins is not that far off him imo.

it's definitely close
Hopkins continues to put in work, and Roy's been shot for a decade
since Roy went down, Hopkins has added some good wins
don't really count Winky, LHW was too much for him
but Tarver, Pavlik, Pascal x2, Cloud were all good wins
modicum of credit for Oscar; not total shit, but not too meaningful

[NEETzsche]

hopkins is the tortoise and jones was the hare.

[Citizen Koba]

In his prime (from about '93 - 2004 when Tarver took his soul) Roy Jones Junior appeared absolutely unstoppable, for over a decade making even proven veterans look like club fighters. Whilst against the very best there were some tough battles, and there were a few guys who he never faced, he proved himself the outstanding fighter of his era from MW up to LHW.

When the fall came, however it came hard and fast. Whether due to an over reliance on his gradually fading speed and athleticism , or a mental vulnerability, he was never the same again after the Tarver losses. Also, while it shouldn't be held against him, continuing to box on 'til the present, far beyond his prime has left him with a tatty record which dims the legacy of his glory days.

Bernard Hopkins on the other hand, despite a late start in boxing dominated the 160lb division for a decade, finally losing at age 40 to an up and coming Jermain Taylor 13 years his junior. Moving up in weight at an age where most boxers have (or are thinking of) hung up their gloves, he proceeded to fight and win against the best at 175, having held at least one of the alphabet belts for most of the last 8 years, as well as becoming lineal champion twice (in addition to his 4 year MW lineal reign)
At age 48 Bernard Hopkins is still fighting and beating champions who are approaching 20 years younger than him, breaking his own record for the oldest ever boxing world champion in March.

Bernards longevity at the very top of the sport alone would guarantee his place as an ATG, since having won his first belt 18 years ago he has always either been a champion or in championship contention. In his 25 year career (which amusingly started with a loss) he has only been beaten by the very best in the world.

A prime Roy Jones Junior beat Bernard Hopkins, and was a better fighter, but in terms of legacy, Bernard Hopkins will be seen, in the future, as one of the greatest boxers of all time.

[SugarAnt05]

Its close but when people think about RJJ, they try to remember when he was invincible. WHen he could clown around, put his hands behind his back, and knock ppl out. He destroyed James Toney when he was one of the best. Hopkins is great, but RJJ was a sports icon in his prime.

[JoeKidd]

Send Hopkins around the world and see who knows him.

[WilkinsOlajuwon]

Send Hopkins around the world and see who knows him.

It's not a popularity contest.