What has been Roy Jones Jr.'s career-defining win?

[PittyPat]

I started thinking about the great man's career last night, and whilst he's obviously HOF/ATG material, I actually found myself stuck on what to consider his greatest victory - or his best ever opponent en route to one.

So enlighten me, people. If one were to show somebody a Jones fight and say "This was Jones at his very best, fighting the the very best they could put in front of him", what would it be? I really can't figure it out.

[TEDetc]

Moving up in weight to beat an undefeated P4P ranked James Toney and making it look easy.

[nujabes77]

I started thinking about the great man's career last night, and whilst he's obviously HOF/ATG material, I actually found myself stuck on what to consider his greatest victory - or his best ever opponent en route to one.

So enlighten me, people. If one were to show somebody a Jones fight and say "This was Jones at his very best, fighting the the very best they could put in front of him", what would it be? I really can't figure it out.

hopkins and toney

[street bully]

James Toney. The biggest name on his resume iis Hopkins, but that was at a point where both were top ccntenders and not established champions. The Ruiz HW fight probably meant the most, but it was John Ruiz.

[PittyPat]

hopkins and toney

A young, slightly green Hopkins who wasn't even near his prime?

I'm NOT looking for the biggest name, people. I'm talking best opponent AT THE TIME, and OPPONENT IN HIS OWN PRIME.

[MANGLER]

Toney. Sonned him when Toney was arguably the sport's best champion.

[nujabes77]

A young, slightly green Hopkins who wasn't even near his prime?

I'm NOT looking for the biggest name, people. I'm talking best opponent AT THE TIME, and OPPONENT IN HIS OWN PRIME.

agreed. but he still beat the name

[STILL_DETOX]

bernard hopkins.....james toney...montell griffin....john ruiz

[PittyPat]

Whereabouts would Griffin and Tarver fit into this? Could they be considered career-defining wins?

[Shadows]

Toney. I also like the first Tarver fight. At that point, people got on Roy's **** because he never had to tough it out or dig deep for a W. That fight changed some people's thoughts on him.