In the eyes of many, Bernard Hopkins is one of the best fighters to have ever graced the sport, proving his credentials throughout the course of his storied career.
‘The Executioner’ made his way into the paid ranks back in October of 1988. Although he would suffer a shock defeat on his professional debut, the Philadelphia-native would go on to become a world champion in two weight divisions.
Hopkins reigned as the undisputed middleweight champion between 2001 and 2005, becoming the first fighter of the ‘four belt era’ to achieve this feat when he defeated Oscar De La Hoya in September of 2004 to add the WBO crown to his collection.
He made even more history for himself a decade later when he became the oldest world champion in boxing history, defeating Beibut Shumenov to capture the WBA light-heavyweight title at 49-years and 94 days old.
As revealed in a feature with The Ring Magazine, Hopkins made no mistake in revealing fellow countryman Roy Jones Jr as the best fighter that he ever shared the ring with.
“He was smart enough to neutralise my best weapons and smart enough to not get hit by my big shots. Even though I got my shots in he wouldn’t get hit by more than one. Like if I got one in … and that’s the thing about fighting unique guys … if a guy lands that one shot, normally there’s another coming behind that.
“He was an all-around thing – best boxer, best defence, offence.
“Early career Roy Jones Jr. – speed, reflexes, unorthodox, that type of thing. No one, no one would have beat Roy Jones at that level, where he was at right there and then.”
Jones handed ‘The Executioner’ the second defeat of his professional career when they clashed for the IBF middleweight title in May 1993.
Hopkins got his revenge over Jones when they met in their rematch 17 years later, defeating the four-division world champion via unanimous decision in Las Vegas.
