Rank These 4 In Terms of Greatness

Ali
Hopkins
Holmes
Roy Jones

 

I'd rank BHOP first, but he's one of my favorite fighters, and then Ali, Holmes and Jones a distant third. Jones could have been the GOAT if he only retired after the first Tarver fight.

 

Ali, Jones and Holmes with Hopkins a somewhat distant last. This is not to say that B. Hop wasn't a great fighter. The other three were just better.

 

Ali
Jones
Hopkins
Holmes

 

ali
bhop
jones
holmes

 

Ali
Jones
Hopkins
Holmes

 

The order they appear in my p4p list is also:

Ali
RJJ
Hopkins
Holmes

 

Ali
RJJ
Holmes
Hopkins

 

Ali
RJJ
Hopkins
Holmes

RJJ before his losses had the most dominant run ever for a decade, in terms of how easy he was winning his fights against world class opposition. He probably lost less than 20 rounds in a decade no one has ever been that dominant. And had he retired after beating Ruiz he'd probably be in top 20 of all time, I don't count his losses way past his prime when rating him.

Hopkins for me edges Holmes based on what he achieved in his 40s, both men had similar long reigns with 20 title defences ? But the names Hopkins beat at Light Heavyweight give him the edge. Even though Holmes did well himself in his 40s, he don't really come close to Hopkins's achievements at the same age in all honesty.

 

Why though may I ask ? Both Hopkins and Holmes had similar long reigns at Middleweight 20 title defences each. But what separates them is Hopkins did achieve alot more in his 40s with a fantastic run at Light Heavyweight.

 

Ali, Holmes, Hopkins and Roy.

Had Roy concluded his career after the Ruiz win, I'd have him ahead of Bernard. His losing skid, then Bernard dominating the man who pierced his invincibility, then him in a (horrible) rematch. Roy did all he could to spoil his legacy.

Neither of them are touching the greatness of Ali or Homes though

 

I am weighing up record, talent, technique and other factors like longevity, dominance and how much I enjoyed watching them.

Jones - basically a tie between Jones and Ali but I put Jones first as he is from my era and totally reinvented boxing in the same way Ali did in the 60s/70s. At his best he was magical and untouchable (and yes I am pretending the last 15 years did happen!).

Ali - reimagined what it meant to be a HW, more than anything his punch endurance, discipline and coming back from adversity.

Holmes - very close with Hopkins, I just enjoy watching Larry fight more.

Hopkins - clearly a great fighter but I just don't enjoy his style or any of his fights to watch.

 

Ali
Holmes
Jones
Hopkins

 

Ali did things that nobody else did at heavyweight, but was beatable for about half of his career at world class level.

Jones was untouchable for about a decade across various weight classes.

Hopkins was A- h2h at his best and had ridiculous longevity.

Holmes had a long ass heavyweight reign against limited opposition.

1. Jones/Ali
3. Hopkins
4. Holmes