Bernard Hopkins Will Beat Up Roy Jones in Three Weeks
Nearly two decades after their first matchup, Roy Jones Jr. and Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins will battle in a light heavyweight contest April 17 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
The rematch was tentatively agreed to by both parties last autumn.
However, the fight was temporarily unhinged when Jones (54-6, 40 KOs) was knocked onto Queer Street by Danny Green (28-3, 25 KOs) in the first round in “The Green Machine’s” native land of Australia on Dec. 2.
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“When I heard he got knocked out in the first round, I said, ‘OK, he got knocked down, didn’t get up,’” said Hopkins, 45. “But I looked at the tape and said, ‘wait a minute. They stopped the fight based on this?’ Even if it wasn’t stopped prematurely, a wounded animal is a dangerous animal.
"That he has to redeem himself and that one fight can change everybody’s minds and the way they perceive him to be when it’s over, then that last episode of Roy Jones’ career would be my biggest motivation to win.”
In May 1993, Hopkins (50-5-1, 32 KOs) lost to Jones by a unanimous decision for the vacant IBF middleweight belt.
Since their last encounter in the ring, Jones and Hopkins have become two of the most accomplished pugilists in boxing history.
The public has long clamored for an encore between the two legendary pugilists.
Unfortunately, the bout is now slated to occur approximately 10 years too late.
If this fight is unexpectedly moved to Caesars Palace in Sin City, promoters should bill the showdown, “The Geezers brawl at Caesars.”
“It’s time to take care of business,” said Jones, 41, who was named “Fighter of the Decade” for the 1990’s by the Boxing Writers Association of America.
Jones claimed that he is not concerned about facing Hopkins whatsoever.
“I beat him with one hand the first time,” Jones said of his original match against Hopkins, in which he fought with a damaged right hand. “What am I worried about?”
When Jones initially scrapped Hopkins, “B-Hop” was a green pugilist who had only recently discovered The Sweet Science while he served time in Graterford Prison in Pennsylvania for nine felony convictions.
Over the course of the next 15 years, Hopkins became arguably the greatest middleweight champion in the annals of boxing.
Hopkins was able to successfully defend his middleweight world championship a record 20 times over a span of 10 years.
Additionally, “B-Hop” is the oldest man to ever capture the middleweight championship.
“This fight isn’t about money,” said Hopkins, who has publicly stated that he believes Jones is the only man to ever genuinely beat him in his career. “It’s personal.”
For Hopkins, perhaps this fight isn’t about money.
On the contrary, Jones is still an active prizefighter simply because he needs income.
“Jones is only in it for the money,” said Mike Cappiello, a native of Brockton who once fought for the IBO super featherweight title and retired with an impressive mark of 33-6. “He has nothing else to fall back on.”
Hopkins has aged gracefully.
Sadly, and somewhat pathetically, Jones has grayed like one of the Golden Girls .
“I can’t wait,” proclaimed Jones, who is protesting his loss to Green like a clown pocket because he contends the Australian used an excessive amount of gauze to wrap his hands.
Jones should be hesitant what he wishes for.
1993 is in the distant past.
In 2010, “The Executioner” will show “Junior” both the ropes and the canvas.
*Cappiello Brothers Boxing gym is located on 162 Main Street in Brockton, Massachusetts (02301).
508-583-4303
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