By Mark Vester
Bernard Hopkins, turning 45-years-old in January, has a three fight plan before he retires for good. The first is the December 2 tuneup bout against Enrique Ornelas. The second is a rematch with Roy Jones Jr. on March 13 in Las Vegas [provided Jones beats Danny Green on 12/2], and the third is a jump to the heavyweight division to face WBA champion David Haye.
Last week, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer made it know that Hopkins requested a fight with Haye in 2010. Both Hopkins and Haye are under the Golden Boy banner and that makes the negotiations easier. During a recent interview, Hopkins appeared confident that he can beat Ornelas, Jones - and Haye.
“I will win and will beat Roy Jones Jr., and I will become heavyweight champion in 2010," Hopkins told the New York Post. “But if I want to plan out my three-fight hit list, I have to take care of this fight like he’s Roy Jones. If I don’t, everything is blown up if I don’t win Dec. 2.”
Haye, a former cruiserweight champion, made a full-time move to heavyweight last year. He is recovering from a hand injury that was suffered during his title win over Nikolai Valuev. Haye must defend against mandatory John Ruiz upon his return. Even though Haye is far smaller than either of the Klitschko brothers, he is still a lot bigger and stronger than Hopkins. Age may come into play but Hopkins told the NY Post that he doesn't think it will.
“I don’t even look at 45 as something I should worry about,” Hopkins said. “I’ve got some kinks here and there, but I will always be ahead of the average guy that is 45 and going to work every day. I know people are trying to figure out when I’m going to look like I’m 45. But I’m the modern day Archie Moore. I’m that throwback Philadelphia fighter that didn’t let the streets destroy me.”
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