OLD TIME RIVALS FINALLY SET TO ENGAGE
New York, NY– It took almost two decades, but it appears that a rematch between Bernard Hopkins (49-5-1 32 KOs) and Roy Jones Jr. (54-5 40 KOs) is set to happen in 2010. However, Jones who earned a unanimous decision their first bout will need to get past light heavyweight (175 lbs) Danny Green (27-3 24 KOs) in early December. It would be hard to imagine in 1993 (the first bout), that these two would still be fighting today. And coming to a crossroads some sixteen years with both is even more unlikely. But somehow they both have something to prove. For Hopkins it’s redemption, for Jones its legacy. But for us all it’s about whom better defines nearly two decades of dominance.
A TRUE ‘LEGACY’ DEFINING FIGHT?
Fans can stay up arguing all night about whether Hopkins or Jones has left the better legacy. Hopkins has sealed his legacy at middleweight (160 lb.) defending his title a record 20 times. He has also excelled outside of his native division, at light heavyweight and catch weights of 170 lbs. against younger fighters, all well into his 40’s. Hopkins has also rarely lost a fight without controversy. Virtually all of his losses have been very close and disputable. Many feel his match ups with Jermaine Taylor and Joe Calzaghe could have gone either way. But Jones was able to grab a heavyweight (201+) championship belt, after doing the same at middleweight (160). A feat not duplicated since Bob Fitzsimmons did it in 1897. Jones has also been able to fight and win into his 40’s while his losses were certainly controversial but not disputable.
MONEY SPLIT ISSUES FINALLY RESOLVED
One of the big factors preventing this bout was the split. While Jones star power was on the rise when he beat Hopkins in 1993, Hopkins didn’t become a household name until 2001, when he knocked out Felix Trinidad. Jones for most of his career has been the bigger star, but that star power significantly waned due to devastating knock out losses to Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson. Due to this and the fact that Hopkins has become more or a marquee fighter towards the tail end of his career, Hopkins has stood firm demanding the bigger split of 60/40. Jones shot back, proposing the winner should get 60 percent and the loser 40. It appears that they’ve finally found some middle ground with an even split. But there is a catch. Each fighter will be paid 50 percent but should there be a knockout, 60 percent would go to the winning fighter.
IS A KNOCKOUT HERE EVEN POSSIBLE?
It’s interesting that Hopkins, who demanded the bigger split initially agreed to a knockout scenario that doesn’t necessarily play into his hands. He hasn’t had a knockout since facing Oscar De La Hoya in 2004. Jones recently scored a TKO this year over a shot Omar Sheika, but hasn’t scored a knockout prior going back to 2002, when he beat Clinton Woods.
WHO WINS, WHY AND WHAT IT MEANS
I’ve written a few articles on Jones wondering when he would finally call it quits. He’s been fighting for unknown reasons and only a match up like this one makes a fraction of sense. With that said, on paper it’s probable that Jones still possesses the blueprint to beat Hopkins. He’s the only one who’s done it without question (sans Hopkins pro debut). So I would put my money on Jones winning on points. But I also know that we can never count out Hopkins, as he has always found a way to surprise us, even late in his career.
Jarrad Woods