Would you rank Hopkins above RJJ if RJJ retired after Ruiz?

If Roy retired then, he'd be considered the best boxer of recent times.
Hopkins would be in his shadow to a certain extent and there would be furious debate about the outcome of any potential rematch.

Alot of people thought RJJ was superman, to a certain extent he was; but to keep that metaphor running, it was like Superman without that one defining Villan who could push him to his limit.

 

Had RJ retired after Ruiz, he would've been considered by most to be a top 15-20 ATG. He would've never really lost a fight (Griffin doesn't really count) and as the years passed by, his legend would've kept growing as the man who had off the chart athleticism and could beat elite guys in his sleep.

 

Top 20 Atg if he retired when he should have

 

One of Roy's greatest wins was his win over Tarver...that being said one of reasons its such a good win is because of how Tarver iced Roy in the second fight. He should have called it a day after Tarver III.

 

everything RJJ did after RUiz has diminished his career, therefore your question really make sense.

 

if roy retired after beating ruiz, no way i would rate hopkins over jones... unless hopkins makes his own attempt and wins a piece of the heavyweight crown...:good:yep

 

Umm....didn't Roy lose his 3rd fight with Tarver?

 

Nothing wrong with losing a fight when you're past and getting towards shotdom. It means he still gets the credit for Tarver and Tarver gets his credit for beating (a past it) Jones in the trilogy. Instead now what we have is a man who is doing nothing to his legacy, but doing a lot to the condition of his brain.

 

People will say they would but they are full of ****.

 

I can't ever rate Hopkins over RJJ, it doesn't matter when they retire.

Hopkins win the niche of 'greatest longevity' but H2H and prime for prime is much more important when considering greatness.

RJJ > Hopkins all day, every day, every time and with ease - that's all the history books will say on that matter.

The history books will have their own section about how Hopkins can keep doing what he does at his age though.

 

Yes, he'd be top 20 ATG in most lists and a few would have him top 10.

 

How can Jones be considered so past it.
He beat Ruiz, arguably his biggest win
beat Tarver
Then lost by shock KO to Tarver and KO to Johnson
Then pushed Tarver in their rubber match

 

I'd have Roy ahead of Hops either way. I got Roy ahead right now and would have him ahead if he retired then. I got them both top 20 though.

 

I dont rate Hopkins better the Roy now.