Bernard Hopkins Is Set To Shine In The "City Of Brotherly Love"

Former undisputed middleweight champion Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins will fight Enrique Ornelas on December second at the Liacouras Center in North Philadelphia.

Hopkins (49-5-1, 32 KOs), a Philadelphia native who has not fought in his hometown since 2003, is determined to again make “The City of Brotherly Love” a Mecca for young boxing prospects.

“Philly is hot right now,” said Hopkins, 44, the owner of a 10-0 career record fighting in Philadelphia.  “We have the talent.  What we need is the outlet.  This fight will be that outlet.  I’m hoping having my fight here and having it televised on Versus will shine a spotlight on Philly’s young fighters.”

On the identical day that Hopkins is scheduled to box Ornelas (29-5, 19 KOs), Roy Jones, Jr. (54-5, 40 KOs) will meet Danny Green (27-3, 24 KOs) in Australia.

Provided that both fighters trump their lesser opponents, Hopkins and Jones are expected to face each other in a rematch in early-2010.

In their initial encounter in May of 1993, a more seasoned Jones was able to secure a unanimous decision victory over a paroled Hopkins.

Hopkins, who successfully defended his middleweight world championship a record 20 times, would not lose another boxing match for more than 12 years.

“The Executioner” has not fought since he dominated WBC and WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik in October 2008.

On the contrary, Jones, 40, has been quite active in the ring, and he has won five out of his past six fights since July 2006.

“I didn’t want to sit around and go into a new year without having a real live fight under my belt, “ said Hopkins, the oldest man to ever hold the middleweight championship in professional boxing.  “It was really important mentally to get in there and do it.”

Bernard Hopkins is one of the most skilled and accomplished pugilists in the annals of boxing.

Expect Hopkins to outclass Ornelas, 29, and ultimately avenge his narrow loss to Hopkins sometime in the coming new year.

However, because genuine money is earned in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, don’t anticipate that Hopkins will arrange many more prizefights in Philadelphia.

“Enjoy me while I’m here,” Hopkins said.  “Nothing lasts forever.”

Philadelphians should take note of Hopkins statement and enjoy watching their local fighter while he is still performing in the ring.

After all, “Nothing lasts forever.”