If he beats Wright and goes on to beat Calzaghe, Maskaev or Taylor in a rematch I'd say his legacy would be greater than Roy Jones Jr when viewed back in 30 years or so time, assuming Jones doesn't achieve anything else of course.

Longevity is an important factor when analysing greatness and few boxers have had the longevity of Hopkins. If he beats Wright that will probably be 3 Hall of Famers who he will have defeated. His middleweight reign is I believe the second longest in boxing history, although Calzaghe is catching but Hopkins has fought much the better fighters.

Halger is an all time great and his major fights were all in the twighlight of his career. Since Hop lost his middleweight crown he seems to be more willing to take risks and make the big fights in order to secure his legacy.

I think beating Winky, on top of beating Tarver would put him at number 2 p4p given the closeness of his losses to Taylor. Barrera remained at number 2 p4p for most of 2005 and early 2006 despite being knocked out by Pacquaio and is still in the top 5 now after a couple of shaky defenses.

If Hop beats Winky he is a top 3 p4p star again no question and I'm sure the Ring magazine, who currently have him at number 5 will agree.


Hop is underratted. We always talk about Toney's toughness and how he's never been stopped in his entire career, well Hopkins is 42 and has likewise never been stopped. He's been more consistent that Toney having only ever been beaten by 3 men. When you consider that his 1st loss was on his pro debut that really means that a prime Hopkins was only ever beaten by one man, a prime Roy Jones.

But if Hopkins can prove to have greater longevity than Jones and equal his career achievements he finishes above him in my book.

I'm one of the few who sees a heavyweight title victory for Hopkins as a crucial part of securing his legacy forever. His two biggest lifetime rivals, Jones and Toney managed it, although Toney was stripped for steroid abuse. Hopkins wants to get that belt in order that he matches those guys.


It's a funny one for me, I find a lot of Hopkins' fights a bit dull but I absolutely love the man for his acheivements and boxing ability. I hope he beats Wright convincingly, then goes onto win a heavyweight crown.