Golden Oldies
Tomorrow evening sees an odd mid-week double header featuring prospective opponents and future hall of famers Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr.
Hopkins faces Mexican Enrique Ornelas 29-5 (19) on home turf in Philadelphia at 175 lbs, whilst his old rival Jones meanwhile, tackles Danny Green 27-3 (24) up at cruiserweight in Sydney, Australia of all places.
The plan is for the pair to rematch in March of next year, to settle a fued that has rumbled since Jones defeated Hopkins on points in May 1993.
Back then, Jones was a former amateur star on the fast track to success, whilst Hopkins, an ex-con still learning his trade, was playing catch up, thanks to his trip to the big house. Jones knew a tad too much for Bernard at this particular juncture and took a unanimous decision by four rounds on all judge’s cards.
Jones would go on to achieve superstardom, whilst Hopkins’ career languished somewhat, despite the fact that he managed to pick up a belt Jones had discarded (the IBF middleweight title) the following year. Whilst Hopkins toiled in relative obscurity against the likes of Segundo Mercado and Joe Lipsey, Jones was performing imperiously against James Toney and Mike McCallum to universal aplomb.
At this point, the question over which fighter would eventually leave the greater legacy was a no-brainer, however time changes all things (is that a song?).
Jones would continue to amaze up at light heavy against fighters such as Virgil Hill and Eric Harding. Hopkins meanwhile, finally managed to make the breakthrough (against his best efforts) into boxing’s big league in 2001 by schooling the ferocious Felix Trinidad in masterly fashion, to become undisputed ruler of the middleweights (I’m in the minority of folk who believe this is the point that his 160lb defence record should have been counted from, just as Joe Calzaghe’s 168lb defence record should be counted from the Lacy fight, anyway I digress).
Jones would once again eclipse Hopkins’ star in 2003, by outfoxing John Ruiz for an alphabet strap up at heavyweight. It wasn’t until the following year that Bernard’s career trajectory finally caught up with Jones’ and swiftly overtook it (the accountant in me wants to draw you a graph……sad….very sad….).
2004 saw Hopkins halt boxing’s ‘Golden Boy’, Oscar De la Hoya (a tried and tested route to stardom) with a body shot, whilst Jones found himself pole-axed, firstly by Antonio Tarver and then Glen Johnson.
The once unbeatable Jones has struggled to regain his equilibrium ever since, suffering further defeats to Tarver and Calzaghe to take him to 54-5 (40).
Hopkins on the other hand has gone from strength to strength in constructing one of the finest resumes ever for a fighter over the age of 35, defeating men such as William Joppy, Winky Wright, Antonio Tarver and Kelly Pavlik. Of the three defeats he has suffered since the one Jones hung on him (he’s currently 49-5 with 32 KO’s), two were split decisions (to Jermain Taylor and Joe Calzaghe), with the other bitterly disputed (again to Taylor).
The argument over legacies is no longer an easy one.
Despite Hopkins being 44 and Jones 40, I fully expect both to triumph tomorrow evening. Hopkins looks to have a gimme on his hands against Ornelas, who has nothing on his record to give me any inkling he has even a remote chance. Hopkins will do as he has explained in pre-fight interviews and dismantle his man round after round, possibly halting him just after half way with hard rights.
Jones it seems has a live opponent in Green, who can punch and has sturdy whiskers. Green will also be coming to give it a real go in front of what should be boisterous home support. I’ll admit to not having put in my usual research with regard to the Aussie, however what I have seen leaves me of the opinion that Jones will be far too swift for him and can box to a comfortable decision, soaking up Green’s best attacks along the ropes on his arms, as is his way. Hopkins will be hoping that he isn’t left to sweat over his future opponent’s performance as he did on the night De la Hoya struggled mightily with Felix Sturm before being gifted a decision, which managed to keep their prospective clash alive.
No luck then for ‘The Green Machine’ as Danny calls himself, however another will crank into life as soon as Wednesday’s fighting is done. There will still be plenty of cash and interest in the ‘battle of the legends’ as the Jones-Hopkins showdown will undoubtedly be labelled, which should pad the pension funds of both quite nicely (see link which explains how the idea of a rematch caught fire: http://safesideoftheropes.com/2009/08/24/jones-hopkins-a-reversal-of-fortunes/ ).
Don’t be fooled however into thinking the winner will simply ride off into the Canastota sunset with a bag of cash. Hopkins has alluded to a crack at WBA heavyweight titlist David Haye in the fall of 2010 (you wondered why GBP had been schmoozing the big Brit so?). If Jones can top Hopkins again in March, who’s to say he won’t be the guy on Haye’s dance card?
Golden oldies indeed.
3 comments on “Golden Oldies”
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Hey Haz. Graham Houston is actually tipping Green for the upset. Wouldn’t surprised if that happened. Jones is pretty much shot and the Lacy fight (a guy who’s even MORE shot) flattered him I think. He may still have enough to win at this level, but who knows?
I remember B-Hop’s face after the Oscar/Sturm fight was over. It was priceless! I wouldn’t like to have been in Sturm’s shoes if he had won though. Costing the notoriously frugal Hopkins over 13 million dollars is like signing your own death warrant, lol.
Hey mate. Just checked Mr. Houston’s preview, he makes a decent case doesn’t he? I think Green may have his moments however not enough of them. Jones will be too savvy, even in his depleted state.
Hopkins might have another scare waiting for the decision, however he’ll have plenty of options available to him should Jones falter, he was really sweating on that Oscar fight!!
It looks like B’Hop fancies a heavyweight title shot next year, he says as much himself close to the end of the interview on Ring mag’s website.
Haye-Hopkins, hmmmm, it would sell but what an odd match……………….
Steve Lillis wrote in this month’s issue of Boxing Monthly that Glyn Leach (the magazine’s editor) expects Haye-Hopkins to be a done deal in the future, so it’s definitely a possibility. Also, I’m not sure how serious Haye is about getting in the ring with either Klitschko and there’s not many other lucrative fights at heavyweight for him. And, as you say, the Hopkins fight would definitely sell. Plus, if it happens sometime in late 2010 or early 2011, B-Hop will be looking to break Big George’s record of becoming the oldest heavyweight title-holder. Another selling point!