Jones-Hopkins 2: The Other Side of the Coin
It has already been reported that former 4 division champion, Roy Jones Jr., and former undisputed middleweight champion of the world, Bernard Hopkins, will do battle on March 11, 2006. This has the potential to be a great matchup, since it pits two of the most dominant fighters of the last decade in a fight that already has fans talking about the possible outcomes. However, one must not forget that Roy Jones Jr, who was regarded as the best boxer in the world for most of the 90's and up to 2003, is coming off a lifeless loss to Antonio Tarver. Not only that, but Jones is 0-3 in his last three fights and lost two of those by knockout. Who would have ever imagined Roy Jones losing three consecutive fights when he was in his prime? Unbelievable, to say the least.
The other man, is none other than Bernard Hopkins. Hopkins, the former undisputed middleweight champion of the world, dominated the middleweight division during the 90's and early 00's. After losing a unanimous decision to Jones in 1993, Hopkins became a working class hero in the division and kept going up in the ranks until he finally captured the IBF belt in 1995. He defended that belt against less than stellar opposition, although some solid fighters like Robert Allen and warrior Glen Johnson are part of the list. In 2001, Hopkins defeated Keith Holmes, to capture the WBC championship and later that year, he defeated Puerto Rico's pride and joy, Félix Trinidad. Trinidad, was regarded as one of the best fighters in the world, thus, Hopkins was recognized as one of the best fighters in the world. After that, Hopkins made several succesful defenses against fighters like former WBA middleweight champion, William Joppy, Howard Eastman, and Oscar De La Hoya. Hopkins finally lost his undisputed crown in 2005 by dropping a unanimous decision to prospect-gone-real deal, Jermain Taylor. They rematched in December of the same year and Taylor prevailed by close unanimous decisions. That means that Hopkins, who less than six months ago was the best pound-for-pound in the world, has lost twice in a row.
As you can see, there are similarities between Jones and Hopkins. They are two of the most accomplished fighters in the history of boxing, but luck has turned its back on them lately. For one, it could be the end of a glorious journey. For the other, it might be a new beginning. Only time will tell what awaits them in their future endeavors.