1) roy jones junior 2) Antonio Tarver 3) glencoffe johnson 4) Bernard x Hopkins These 4 had the honor to fight all of each other, a round robin as to call it. According to their stats, and performances, rate which way from best to least (worse). Imo these fights bring straight up nostalgia, in no way was there a group like this since the fab four YET the fabulous foursome were all all-time greats. With the bunch I selected it remains to be seen if they are all all time greats regarding your opinion, or maybe just good and not great! Let's discuss: I know they've all been in different weight classes but they share the distinction of being light heavyweights 175. Btw I forgot to say, Marvin, Leonard, Hearns and Duran was since the 80s, it's been a long time coming.
I think Hops on the night he beat Tarver may have been the best of the 4, but Roy would rank the highest if the list were based on overall achievement @ the weight IMO.
Agreed with this. Hopkins beat Johnson convincingly at Middleweight i see no reason he wouldn't beat him again at Light Heavyweight. Tarver really beat Johnson twice the 1st fight was a bit of gift for Johnson IMO so he clearly rates above him. RJJ would beat Hopkins again at Light Heavyweight no doubt in my mind, he would beat Johnson in his prime aswell. Against Tarver i've always felt Tarver is always a bit of a tricky style match up for him even in his prime. I would expect RJJ at his absolute best to beat Tarver, but Tarver does have the style and the power to always be a legit threat IMO. But regarding H2H and resume i think that's the perfect order in all honestly. 1. RJJ 2. Bernard Hopkins 3. Antonio Tarver 4. Glen Johnson
Can i ask why ? i can't see Hopkins beating a prime RJJ in a H2H match up. And regarding their resume at the weight RJJ won 13 world title fights at Light Heavyweight compared to 6 for Hopkins.
Hopkins learned how to cut off the ring after the 1st Roy fight. In their 1st fight, he stood upright & reached for the head from a distance. In their 2nd, he maneuvered inside by crouching & jabbing/hooking to the body.
And Hopkins effectiveness vs RJJ in their rematch also has to do with the fact that he was facing a completely shot RJJ who had no resemblance to his peak level and was no longer a world class Light Heavyweight. Which all in all has no relevance to a H2H match up between them at their best at Light Heavyweight which RJJ would be a considerable favourite in. No version of Hopkins beats any version of RJJ at his peak.
Prime Roy's speed is always the difference maker. I will always think BHOP was the most complete and best all around out of those four but Roy's speed was more than an equalizer. Also, I agree that Tarver's counter punching and KO power always makes him the most dangerous opponent for Roy. Johnson simply caught Roy at the right time and as much as I like him, he is a distant but respectable 4th.
