By Mark Vester
On Tuesday, Roy Jones Jr. was crushed in one round by Danny Green in Australia. Across the ocean, Bernard Hopkins won a dominating decision over Enrique Ornelas in Philadelphia. Prior to their fights, Jones and Hopkins had a signed deal to stage a rematch on March 13 in Las Vegas. After the way Jones was put away, most expected Hopkins to look for bigger game but that doesn't seem to be the case.
In the post-fight, Hopkins told a live audience that he still wants to move forward with the Jones rematch. He still thinks the public would want to see it - but I have to disagree. I think it's a black eye for the sport if Hopkins moves forward with Jones, who is way beyond his best, instead of fighting Chad Dawson or another tough fighter at light heavyweight.
Hopkins tried to make a case for the rematch by claiming the referee stopped the fight too early and didn't give Jones more of a chance to at least show something.
"Everyone knows what happens when you go over to Europe and that's why I never go over to Europe," Hopkins said. "Some punches landed but of more of them missed. Roy Jones Jr. lost on his feet and not on his back. Being knocked out and TKO is totally different."
