Hopkins beats Jones to scratch 17 year itch

(Reuters) - Bernard Hopkins won a unanimous decision against fellow American Roy Jones Jr. in tough fight on Saturday night, finally avenging a 1993 defeat in a long-delayed re-match.

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There were no knockdowns in a bout that was characterized by caution but punctuated by stoppages for accidental fouls and a near-riot in the ring at the end of the sixth round.

"It was kind of rough," said 45-year-old Hopkins, who improved his record to 51-5-1. "Roy's a veteran. He was tying me up. I was tying him up. It was a good fight."

Jones, 54-7, frequently frustrated Hopkins with his effective defense but the 41-year-old rarely showed enough offense to win any of the rounds.

The pattern of each round was similar with each man feinting, Hopkins attempting to bull Jones to the ropes behind a jab and right hand and Jones looking to tie up or counter with short uppercuts inside.

"I was trying to smother him, so he couldn't counter me," said Hopkins. "He's still got speed."

The fight briefly erupted into life at the end of the sixth round.

Jones spun out of a clinch in the corner and landed a short punch to the back of Hopkins' head. Hopkins dropped to his knees and took several minutes to return to his feet.

When the round resumed, Hopkins attacked Jones with a furious flurry and the two men continued to exchange punches as the bell rang. Both corner teams and security officials entered the ring to separate the fighters and restore order.

Hopkins went down on two other occasions, from another rabbit punch and a low blow, while an accidental head butt in the eleventh round opened a gash on Jones's left eyelid.

The two men first met in the ring when they contested the vacant IBF middleweight title at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., in May 1993.

Jones won a unanimous decision and then went on to add titles at super-middleweight, light-heavyweight and heavyweight.

Hopkins captured the middleweight belt in 1995 by stopping Ecuador's Segundo Mercado and made a record 20 successful defenses of that crown until losing two close decisions to fellow American Jermain Taylor in 2005.

After Saturday's bout, Hopkins claimed an interest in emulating Jones and challenging for a heavyweight title.

"People will think the punch in the back of my head made me a little crazy, but I want David Haye," he said, referring to the British heavyweight who successfully defended his WBA crown against John Ruiz on Saturday.

Jones was less certain about his plans.

"I'll go back and talk to my coaches and my dad and if we think I still have it, we'll keep going, and if not, we'll call it a day," he said.

(Writing by Kieran Mulvaney in Washington, D.C.; editing by Nick Mulvenney)

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Bernard Hopkins vs Roy Jones Jr - Live Fight

Bernard "the executioner" Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr will face on April 3, 2010 for their rematch.
Hopkins is 45 while Roy Jones Jr is 41. They first met in the boxing ring 17 years ago. During that time, their career is peaking.

The Rivals II will be at Mandalay Bay Arena and it will be shown in HBO pay-per-view.

According to nydailynews.com, The first fight between the two in 1993 was a stinker. Jones won a 12-round unanimous decision to win the vacant IBF middleweight title. Both have said that this fight will be much different, much better because of the heat that has built up over the 17 years.

Jones has guaranteed a knockout, primarily as a selling point for the promotion. But what happens if Hopkins knocks out Jones?

"If he can hurt me then after this one maybe it's time to hang it up," Jones said.

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Aging legends Jones, Hopkins face off in rematch 17 years later

By Bob Velin, USA TODAY

They are a combined 86 years of age and have 116 pro fights between them.

They both have Hall of Fame résumés, and both are Hall of Fame trash-talkers.

They met in the ring once, long ago, when both were young and hungry.

Now, 17 years later, Roy Jones Jr. and Bernard Hopkins, well past their primes, are finally realizing a rematch. They will meet in a 12-round, non-title light-heavyweight bout Saturday night at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas (HBO pay-per-view, 9 p.m. ET).

The 17-year span between fights is believed to be the second-longest in modern boxing history, behind Larry Holmes-Mike Weaver (1979 and 2000).

Jones, 41, is 5-5 in his last 10 fights, and has been knocked out three times, including a first-round TKO by Australian Danny Green in Sydney in December.

Hopkins, 45, has been far more successful after age 40, having won four of his last five fights, including wins against champions and former champions such as Antonio Tarver, Kelly Pavlik and Winky Wright. His only loss, a split decision, was to now-retired undefeated super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe.

Hopkins credits his success to a strict diet and workout regimen supervised by noted personal trainer Mackie Shilstone, who has also worked with Jones.

"It's all about the person's style, lifestyle, the way he takes care of himself, and last but not least, genetics," Hopkins says. "I always come in shape."

Hopkins likes to say he does things his own way, not the way most others do it.

Thus he will have a friend, New York children's apparel magnate and part owner of the New Jersey Nets, Artie Rabin, sing Frank Sinatra's My Way as Hopkins enters the ring Saturday. Rabin will have help from Elvis Presley's old backup singers, the Sweet Inspirations.

Read More at USA Today