DON’T NEED A PSYCHIC HERE….OR DO YOU?
Oakland, CA– It has officially been announced, that the fight that belongs more in an alternate universe than in reality between Roy Jones Jr. (54-6 40 KO’s), the former “Superman” of the sport will face Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins (50-5-1 32 KO’s) will take place on April 3rd. With both men in their forties, many may see this fight as Bernard’s long overdue payback for nearly two decades worth of trash talk. But I see it as Hopkins having everything to lose and nothing to gain. My honest take is that Hopkins really can’t win and I’ll tell you why.
HOW DOES ONE SEE THIS GOING?
The most likely scenario in the minds of many is likely a Jones loss via knock out occurring somewhere in the second half of the fight with paramedics rushing into the ring to check his pulse. This would be followed by a teary eyed speech from HBO’s Jim Lampley on how he’s honestly concerned about Roy’s health and hopes he makes a speedy recovery and spends some time resting on his farm. But remember that this fight is already happening in the most unlikely or circumstances, so could the rabbit hole just get deeper?
IS THE KO B-HOP’S BEST OPPORTUNITY TO WIN?
Let’s say that Jones, who’s only real decision losses came against a younger man (Joe Calzaghe) and Antonio Tarver, who had Roy shook from a prior KO, doesn’t actually get knocked out this time. It would mean that an aging Hopkins (who admitted that Jones was the only man he believes ever really beat him) would possibly have to put on a virtuoso performance reminiscent his stellar victories over Kelly Pavlik and Tarver to win.
CAN ROY STILL PULL THE TRIGGER?
It’s unlikely that even a shot version of Roy Jones wouldn’t be able to handle a pacing and mildly active Hopkins for 12 rounds. The truth behind the key to Hopkins victories over Pavlik and Tarver appear to be the motivation factor. Remember the cards were against Hopkins to win and Hopkins himself said he needed adversity to perform at his best. So where’s the adversity here? The question is will getting the extra 10% (knockout bonus clause) be enough motivation for Hopkin’s to put Roy down for good?
SHOULD WE EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED?
Jones knows how to beat Hopkins (did it circa 1993), is faster and just might be motivated to win this bout more than any of the ones he’s been in for years. Remember this is the same Jones who didn’t really want to fight Tarver, who really wasn’t that excited about Calzaghe and really wasn’t too thrilled about facing Danny Green after all. All those fighters beat Jones likely because the motivation factor was on their side. All this equates to the possibility, albeit remote than Jones pulls out his last prime performance or simply avoids getting knocked out by the old man who’s not a big puncher anyway.
AND IF B-HOP WERE TO PREVAIL
If Hopkins beats Jones it’s business as usual, right? Jones suffers another horrible loss an is reminded AGAIN that he should have exited the stage when he still had some dignity. Hopkins gets the win on paper but no one is surprised. But let’s revisit the second paragraph and say that Jones is KO’d like many expect or is beat solidly from pillar to post for 12 rounds. Will anyone praise Hopkins? Probably not.
THE CLASSIC “NO-WIN” SITUATION?
So in the end it doesn’t matter if Hopkins puts Roy in a coma or narrowly squeaks out a points decision, a win against a perceived dead man is not worth much. It simply won’t speak much to much more monumental wins in Hopkins career. The crazy thing is Hopkins losing the decision is just about as likely as him scoring the KO. And neither one of those scenario’s are necessarily situations Hopkins really needs or wants.
Jarrad Woods