"Can Roy Jones Jr And Bernard Hopkins Still Put On A Show?"

Can Roy Jones and Bernard Hopkins Still Put on a Show? According to true Slant.com Roy Jones and Bernard Hopkins are currently on a national tour to promote their long awaited rematch, 17 years after they first fought for the vacant IBF middleweight title. The 1993 version of Jones won a conclusive if dull decision over Hopkins, befuddling him with his incredible speed and athleticism, but the 2010 version is significantly slower, and the 2010 version of Hopkins significantly better (at least technically). About eight years ago, the fight would have made perfect sense. Jones was on top of his game as a light heavyweight and the best pound for pound fighter in the game, and Hopkins was the most feared middleweight since Marvin Hagler coming off a spectacular victory over Felix Trinidad. Instead, Jones jumped up in weight to become the heavyweight champion of the world, and Hopkins continued his reign of terror at middleweight. As the years went on, Jones fluctuation in weight seem to take something out of him, and he no longer had the zip of his younger days. A couple of spectacular KO losses back down at 175lbs dramatically decreased his standing as an all time great (he was being compared to Ray Robinson before he was KO’d be Tarver), and there was little desire to see him in the ring with a top ten light heavyweight let alone Bernard Hopkins. Hopkins on the other hand, just seemed to get better and better. He didn’t maintain his speed or power, but the old man became craftier and craftier, exposing massive holes in younger fighters arsenals and fighting on to an incredible 45. Hopkins’ technique and ring generalship has been second to none in boxing, and his uncanny ability to read opponents has kept him competitive with far younger and more talented fighters (see his bouts with Jermain Taylor and Joe Calzaghe). Although Hopkins has several losses on his resume in recent times, it wasn’t clear he lost those bouts, and keeps coming back to prove he is still a force to be reckoned with. His victory over Kelly Pavlik was spectacular, and proof that Hopkins belongs right at the top of the sport. Hopkins’ last bout with the tough but limited Enrique Ornelas was a bit of a snoozefest, and in all honesty, Hopkins didn’t look great. The old man looked sluggish and slightly uninterested in the bout, and only did what he had to to win by unanimous decision. But Jones on the other hand, was knocked cold by Australian hard man Danny Green in one round. The fact is, Hopkins has the tools to compete with the best in the world, and Roy Jones probably doesn’t. Most writers and fans believe Roy Jones should retire rather than fight on, fearing for his physical and mental health. And they are probably right. Jones hasn’t been able to perform at the elite level for some years now, and has been badly exposed whenever jumping up in class. He looked great against a faded Felix Trinidad, Omar Sheika and Jeff Lacy, but awful against Antonio Tarver, Glenn Johnson, Joe Calzaghe, and now Danny Green. Does he have enough left to make a competitive fight with Hopkins? Surprisingly, he just might. Because in boxing, styles make fights. While Hopkins is clearly the fresher fighter, he is 45 and doesn’t punch particularly hard at 175lbs. Hopkins is a master chess player and looks to dissect opponents rather than blast them out. All of the fighters who beat Jones came at him hard and looked for the knockout. Hopkins won’t do that, and that will give Jones an opportunity to get himself into the fight. At 41 years of age, Jones still retains superb hand speed. He doesn’t see punches like he used to, but he can deliver them almost as quickly. Quick, intelligent fighters trouble Hopkins, and it takes him longer to set traps against them as opposed to more limited fighters like Kelly Pavlik or Felix Trinidad. Jones most likely has enough left to befuddle Hopkins for several rounds and make the fight somewhat interesting. I don’t hold out much hope for Jones after rounds 7 or 8, but if he can hold on, there’s a chance he may pull out a decision over the Executioner. And if he does, his legacy will receive a much needed boost. My money is on Hopkins though, as I think the veteran is simply too good at this stage of his career, and Jones too faded. Will I be tuning in? For $50, it’s a bit of a stretch, but I’ve followed both of their careers so closely I’d probably feel guilty if I didn’t. And despite neither man being at his best, it still might make for an entertaining bout. After all, Sugar Ray Leonard and Tommy Hearns fought for a second time when both men were significantly past their primes, and it made for one of the greatest fights in history.