POLL: Hopkins vs. Roy Jones?
By Robert Ecksel January 8th, 2007Do you want to see Bernard Hopkins fight Roy Jones again?
Only fools don’t respect Bernard Hopkins’ and Roy Jones Jr.’s accomplishments in the ring, but while Jones has been irrelevant in the larger scheme of boxing things for quite some time, Hopkins has been more or less straddling the fence—until now.
According to Dan Rafael at ESPN.com, Hopkins, who is described as “world light heavyweight champion,� despite a propensity to retiring and un-retiring with the frequency of a diva, told Dandy Dan that he is “in negotiations to face rival Roy Jones Jr. in a July 21 HBO PPV rematch.�
Great, just what boxing, the quintessential young man’s sport, needs: a 42-year-old getting it on with a 38-year-old, on pay-per-view no less, to avenge a loss that occurred 13 long years ago (1993), and that by now most of us have forgotten.
Rafael writes that Hopkins “named Jones as one of the fighters he most wanted to face… One reason a rematch might be made this time around: Jones, who turns 38 next week, doesn’t have any other options for a significant fight.â€?
I guess that’s as good a reason as any for the match to get made.
“We’re talking to Roy,â€? said Hopkins. “We’d both like the fight. I’m about 185 or 190 right now, but I will be back at 175 and be in great shape.” But Hopkins said he isn’t coming back for just one fight. “Three more,” he said.
Hopkins has always made blowing minds one of his sub-specialties, but his proposed fight with Jones seems less about blowing minds than about blowing hard-earned cash on what increasingly looks like boxing’s seniors’ tour.
But if Bernard really wants everyone to sit up and take notice of his skills and willingness to keep fighting, he and Mackie Shilstone should get to work ASAP to get Ex back down to middleweight, so he can fight someone worthy of his talents and ambition, someone, say, like Edison Miranda.
That bout would be guaranteed to give fight fans the maximum bang for their maximum buck.
But the Hopkins vs. Jones rematch? What about it, Blog Squad? Is it worth fifty smackers to you to see Bernard Hopkins/Roy Jones II?
January 8th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
I cant believe it, this is what Hopkins is un-retiring for??? total BS in the sport, just when things are looking up and nice fights are happening, B-Hop is actually trying to make this fight happen??? What is he thinking??? PPV??? Ridiculous should be on HBO Latino or something. Unless B-Hop is just using Roy as a tune up for something, but man how horrible is this idea, I couldnt be more disgusted by Bernard’s actions. On the other hand, this is a great thing for Jones.
January 8th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Look, I am from Philly, love B-Hop - and would have loved to have seen this bout 3 years ago. Now it would simply serve as a non-sensical footnote on two great careers. Just as RJJ needs to give it a rest and stop fighting Camden, NJ natives in the middle of potato country!
I agree with the Miranda comments. Edison is the f-n man and would probably put a beating on B-Hop.
January 8th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
RJJwill woop his a double s! I think this would be a great fight for any boxing fan that has followed boxing since these two guys have been around. Maybe it doesn’t seem worthy, but with the hype surrounding it and the history, I think it will make for a good fight worthy of fifty dollars.
January 8th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Sadly, it’s the casual boxing observer who drives this sport, and Roy Jones is one of the few boxers you can ask anyone about and they’ll know who you’re talking about. Hard-core fans see this fight very differently: B-Hop is an all-time great who shouldn’t be wasting time with a clearly shot fighter in RJJ. The only reason Hopkins wants this fight is that it will make him a lot of money. I really doubt he’s hell bent on revenge from 1993; everyone acknowledges he will go down in history as a greater fighter than Jones.
January 8th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
I would pay $$ to see roy jones get knocked out again!! thats if he fights and doesnt get on his bike.
January 8th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
Hopkins should stay retired, period.
A victory over Jones would be meaningless. I mean, the guy’s shot.
A victory over Calzaghe is also meaningless. First of all, it’s not a sure thing that he can win. Secondly, what will he gain from it?
Hopkins beat the man who beat the man. Why not just leave it at that?
January 8th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
I don’t really care to see this fight. It boils down to One Headliner vs. A Former Headliner. Perhaps a friendly sparring match between two once bitter rivals.Just pump iron make a good show and grab a few beers afterward. In other words a PPV ripoff. Im not buying it.
January 8th, 2007 at 10:55 pm
Why two men with money and fame would risk brain damage in a meaningless contest is a mystery.
I wouldn’t pay 50 cents.
January 8th, 2007 at 11:06 pm
Well to all that think’s Roy is a shot fighter….thesame that thought that when Hopkins lost to Taylor. I think Roy has what it takes to beat Bernard ..still. Most of all….it’ll give Roy the chance to prove all of you wrong…and love it. To the guy that think’s Bernard will go down as a better fighter in history…what have you been smoking, i guess the same as most of the writers in Ring magazine when the rate DeLa Hoya in the top 10 huh? LOL
January 9th, 2007 at 1:31 am
Yeah, get’em Rick. How could you go down as a better fighter than the guy who whooped your ass in your prime. Anyway, I waould like to see this fight and I don’t blame them for putting it on PPV because they fight for a living. B-Hop has been chasing Rjj for years looking for this rematch but being Roy was undefeated and so dominant, B-Hop did’nt have any leverage on the bargaining table. Now Roy can’t be choosy.
January 9th, 2007 at 7:05 am
The last two guys, Rick and East Star, seem to have some sense, at least. How can anyone say that “everyone acknowledges that he will go down in history as a better fighter than Jones?” Roy Jones accomplished way more than Hopkins, including what should have been a Gold at the olympics. Not to mention the fact that he gave Hopkins a pugilistic lesson when the both met in their prime. This fight is an interesting one, and I personally do not see anything wrong with putting this fight together. Let the PPV stats tell the story when it’s over. Hopkins doesn’t have KO power, and I feel that Jones retains enough ability to comfortably defeat Hopkins. One other thing, Joe Calzaghe is a very good boxer, and if/when Hopkins gets in the ring with him, I believe that Calzaghe, who is still in his prime, will show what speed and power does to Hopkins. Any man/women who gets into the ring deserves credit, and true fans of boxing would not be making nonsensical and disparaging remarks about two living legends and certain Hall of Fame fighters. A fighter loses one fight or gets older and he is shot, but in any other sport it’s ok to lose numerous times; then, people wonder why fighters are afraid to risk losing against truly competitive opposition!
January 9th, 2007 at 10:18 am
I understand what everyone is saying and I agree with saying that I do not prefer viewing that fight, but if it presented to us for the price of 49.95 unfortunately most of us will tune in. Edison Miranda is a beast and I would not want to see B-Hop take on such a great challenge in his age. He deserves to make money based on his past achievements.
January 9th, 2007 at 10:55 am
Who cares? Both guys were great; but now are non-factors for any legitimate titles.
January 9th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
In my opinion this is a good fight for Bernard Hopkins, but not for Roy Jones Jr. I wouldn’t say that Roy Jones Jr. is a shot fighter. But what does Roy Jones Jr. really have left to prove. He was arguably the best pound for pound fighter in the mid to late nineties. And now any good fighter could beat him. So Roy Jones should just retire except if he moves up to heavyweight because he has nothing else to prove at light heavyweight except if he wants to fight Glen Johnson or Antonio Tarver again.
January 9th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
I think this fight would sell more than were giving it credit for, there are more people that would want to see this rematch than people who don’t want to see it. I for one would order it but with consideration of the undercards.
January 9th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
I HATE WHEN PEOPLE SAY ROY IS SHOT HES STILL BETTER THAN ANY FIGHTER OUT THERE FIRST B HOP GETS IT THEN TARVER AND GLEN JHONSON THE HA CAN CALL IT A RAP MOST OF YOU PROBLY NEVER SEEN ALL OF ROYS FIGHTS SO STOP TALKING STUPID SAYING BHOP IS A GREATER FIGHTER THAN ROY ROY HAD THE ABILITY TO BEAT ANYONE IN ANY ERA 175 DOWN U CANT SAY THAT FOR HOPKINS OR MAYWEATHER AND THE REST OF THEM ROY GOT BEST HAND SPEED I EVER SEEN .
January 9th, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Why .this fight roy bernard .Iwill love to see bernard and edison miranda on hbo .this year
January 10th, 2007 at 4:12 am
I expect this from Bernard,,,he realises Calzaghe would dismantle him and RJJ is a money maker without the risk of been humiliated. Not taking away from his previous achievements though,he WAS great in his time.
January 10th, 2007 at 8:31 am
Why can’t two legends face off to prove who is the better boxer? How will we know whom is better if they don’t fight again? Better now than never. Jones/Hopkins will do good in sales because their fans want to see the match.
January 10th, 2007 at 11:14 am
I place Bernard Hopkins in the league of gretest middle-weights. I place Roy Jones Jr. in the league of Tiger Woods(Golf) and Roger Ferderer(Tennis). In my lieftime (61 Years) These are the greatest athletes Iv’e been privlidged to watch. Putting money on Roy was a no brainer for at least 10 years. Roy had his legacy and blew it. If he got out of the game when he should have, it’s possible that he would have went down in history as pound for pound the greatest boxer that ever lived. Sure Jones/Hopkins would be a real moneymaker but both these guys have money. They should both walk away from the game and leave people with the memories of their greatness.
January 10th, 2007 at 11:51 am
I HOPE THE FIGHT HAPPENS YALL WHO DONT WANNA SEE IT DONT SPOIL IT FOR THE ONES WHO DO WANNA SEE IT EVEN THOUGH YALL WILL WATCH IT ANYWAY RJJ OVER ALL OF THEM
January 10th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
Who are we kidding anyways? This fight has about a 20% chance of happening! However, if it does…look for Roy to make Bernard wish he would have stayed in retirement! What’s left of Roy’s legacy is what will motivate him the most. What motivation does Bernard have? He does not yet know what it is like to lose a lot of what you have worked for. Roy would be fighting against an “executioner” of more than a boxing match, more than a loss on a record…he will be fighting against the annihilation of a legacy. What better to motivate someone? Still, it would be a great fight, I believe. To the haters…I can understand how this match wouldn’t make any sense to you all due to the fact that great boxing has been long gone and great fighters such as Hopkins and Jones are rarely seen. It seems like everybody is just mediocore these days. (don’t let it boil your blood…haters!)
January 20th, 2007 at 2:02 am
First of all, anyone who has been in the ring knows that boxing is about both mental and physical preparation. When Roy was knocked out by Tarver (a lucky punch / Tarver’s eyes closed), he suffered the greatest psychological blow in boxing history, taking away his confidence and will to fight when in the ring. I am the biggest Roy Jones fan, and I was ringside at his third fight with Tarver. He could have, and should have easily defeated Tarver, but he didn’t throw any punches, and was afraid of coming forward. As a result, he took much more punishment than he would have if he had decided to stand his ground and exchange. Hopkins destroyed Tarver in a dominating performance, which was very impressive, but Roy could have done the same thing if his mind was right. After seeing his latest fight with Prince Badi (a better fighter than people give credit), I can say that “yes, Roy still has it physically.” Obviously he is not the exact fighter he used to be (which is why I wish he would keep his hands up a little more), but he threw a good amount of hard, fast, accurate punches, and had what looked to be a lot of fuel left in the tank at the end of the fight. On top of that he looked like he had regained some of his mental strength, confidence, and his will to fight. I would hate to see Roy step into the ring with Hopkins unprepared, but if this fight takes place, and Roy is ready in all areas, he will make Hopkins, boxing fans, critics, and HBO eat their words. Come on King, it’s time to regain you throne, and make people remember you for who you really are, the best pound 4 pound fighter in the history of the sport.
January 22nd, 2007 at 8:40 pm
If Bernard ever had a prayer of beating Roy its now. If Roy ever had a prayer of doing something to salvage his faded legacy, its crushing Bernard now. These guys are not dead and this is a great fight. Its not up to us to decide when there is or isnt something left in a fighters basement. It’s up to Roy and Bernard. They will fight, they will get paid and may the best man win.
January 28th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
First i would pay for this 2nd roy will get in him,this could be the fight that brings him bck to being roy after ruiz roy was dun what else was there for him if u really know boxing u know what i mean roy lost THE EYE OF THE TIGER lol but…..this could bring it back even 4 1 fight if he wins then what do u say about sorry peice of garbage tarver????? i mean garbage he’s a bum if u read this tarver i’m waiting no excuses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! roy do ur thing i’m watching!
February 15th, 2007 at 11:03 pm
I would watch the fight. Im from Pensacola like Jones is and i have watched or been to all of his fights that i could. for a decade he was a bad ass with the most incredible vision, hand speed, and power. although, i do agree that age has caught up with jones and he has slowed down. i mean a decade of not getting hit, it was only a matter of time (Tarver). all of you that say Hopkins is the better fighter and will go down in history as the better fighter is inaccurate as hell. ask yourself this, between the two: who won in 1993, who was the best pound for pound fighter, who won the middle weight, supper middle weight, light heavy weight (twice now), and HEAVY WEIGHT belts. sure jones lost multiple times to a fighter, but so has hopkins.
August 2nd, 2007 at 4:35 pm
I think this will be a good fight to watch you have two people both with things to prove Roy trying to prove that he still belongs in the ring and Hopkins to prove he can woop anybody in boxing today. I dont take anything away from Hopkins but most of the great names he has beatin had jumped a couple of weight classes to fight him ODH, Trinadad, Winky all of these fighters are good but come on they knew it was a slim chance for them to win against Hopkins style and size and as for Tarver he is only marked as a good fighter because he knocked out Roy so this fight is worth watching.