was the biggest fight of the past 20 years in terms of history. 2 legends meeting at their natural weight before the age of 30. The fight actually made Hopkins better. Most of the mega fights since have many holes in the ir status ie Hopkins vs. Trinidad- big man vs. Smaller De La Hoya vs. Trinidad- both guys aren't legends Tyson vs. Lewis- old men Tyson vs. Holyfield- one guy did years in prison. Barrera vs. Morales is close but both aren't at the legendary status of Jones and Hopkins
Though they were both young, it was definitely an historic match. They both go on to (at worst) put together Top 40 All-Time careers.
I guess now the fight has meaning, but at the time it just seemed like a big bore. Calling it the "biggest fight of the last 20 years" is a considerable exaggeration. A lot of people would disagree about the Barrera and Morales not being at the same legendary status of Hopkins and Jones. At least Marco and Eric had rematches, and the fights themselves were much more exciting. Plus, Barrera and Morales fought just about everybody of consequence in all the weight divisions they competed in, Jones and Hopkins certainly can't say the same thing.
De la Hoya, Trinidad, Barerra, & Morales - all aren't Legends? Or are you just comparing them to the status of Hopkins & Jones? All 6 Fighters named above are Legends in their own respective rights - and they are all Future HOF'ers. I'll even go as far as to saying that the De la Hoya/Trinidad fight was historically a bigger fight. Not only did we have 2 Undefeated Fighters in there Prime - there were two belts on the line - and the way the fight ended still have people arguing about "Who Won the Fight?" - I still say De la Hoya! However - we are all entitled to our own opinions - so I was just voicing mines!
No, the fight never proved too much, it was a dull affair between 2 boxers who hadn't developed into what they would later become. Moreso Hopkins on that point.
