Roy Jones Jr. Makes Offer to Fight Bernard Hopkins – News
August 21st, 2009
By Jim Dower: On the Calvin Murphy show today, Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. called in and ended up battling it out in a back and forth hilarious argument. Jones, 40, offered to fight Hopkins with the winner getting 60% and the loser 40% of the revenue. However, Hopkins was having none of it, insisting that Jones take 40%. Near the end of the call, Jones went even further, saying that the two fighters could fight in a winner take all bout with the victor getting everything. At that point, Hopkins clearly not interested, hung up.
Jones was willing to let Golden Boy pick the judges, the gloves and the food he eats, saying “I know I can beat Hopkins cause I’m back on my game.” However, Jones recognized that the fight with Hopkins will likely never take place because he feels that Hopkins wants to humiliate him by making him take less than him, something that Jones feels is a payday for Roy getting a bigger cut than Hopkins in their previous fight which Jones won in 1993. Jones later on said that he doesn’t need Hopkins, because he prefers to go after Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson, saying that he wants to avenge those defeats.
Jones then added that he already beat Hopkins with one hand in 1993 and it wouldn’t be a problem to do it again. Jones sounded really confident and appeared to get the better of Hopkins in the argument, especially when Jones started talking about the winner getting the bigger cut. Hopkins wanted nothing to do with that, and Jones saw it as Hopkins not believing that he could beat Roy.
Earlier in the call, Hopkins ridiculed Jones’ last two opponents, Omar Sheika and Lacy, pointing out that he himself is fighting guys 18 years younger.
When it came to the money issue, Hopkins said that unless Jones was willing to take 40%, then there would be no fight. Jones then said, “I’m not going to bow down and take less.” Hopkins then rattled off his recent successes, pointing out that he had beaten Kelly Pavlik, Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson, and reminding Jones that he had lost to Tarver and Johnson. Jones then said, “I don’t care, just as long as I beat you, that’s all I care about.” Jones then said he’s just having fun in boxing and doesn’t really care about his legacy afterwards. Hopkins, on the other hand, said he really cares about his own legacy.
Jones will be fighting Danny Green on November 21st in Sydney, Australia. After that fight, who knows what Jones will do. It would be interesting for boxing fans to see if Jones goes after a revenge bout against either Tarver or Johnson. Both of those fighters knocked Jones out in 2004, but it was a year after Jones had dropped a lot of weight after having fought at heavyweight.
Tags: 25 Responses to “Roy Jones Jr. Makes Offer to Fight Bernard Hopkins – News”
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I’ve been waiting for a Jones Hopkins rematch for years, though JOnes won in 93, can’t neglect the fact that Hopkins didn’t have enough experience at that point in time. A rematch would prove high numbers in ppv’s, mainly because these two have been arguing about fighting for a decade… Interesting the way a 60% 40% is what’s preventing the fight from happening, with all the money that they already have! I Liked JOnes idea of winner taking 60%, infact that should always be the case in fights…
mark f,
Take a look around the internet at some polls on Hopkins-Calzaghe. About 33% of the general public feels Hopkins won the fight, so please don’t try to push off your opinion as that of some boxing god.
Actually, if you score a fight the way it’s supposed to be scored, i.e., with an emphasis on clean and effective punching, it’s nearly impossible to score the fight for Joe.
I understand people like activity, but, there’s a point when over-activity becomes a con job.
And don’t give me this BS about Hopkins spoiling the fight. The fact of the matter is that he was hit below the belt on 3 occasions. Whether you think those last two actually had an effect on Hopkins or not is a moot point, for, if you are hit below the bely, you get 5 minutes. End of.
And what do you have to say about Joe’s intentional low blow in the second round, a shot which Joe justified by saying, and I paraphrase, well, he knocked me down in the 1st so I had to get him back didn’t I?”
That’s not spoiling a fight? An intentional low blow in response to a clean knockdown?
If Joe wanted to get him back, maybe he should have tried hitting him with a decent headshot, something he failed to accomplish all night.
Bernard knocked Joe down, wobbled and stunned him on several occasions, cut him, bruised him and landed the last punch in virtually all exchanges.
And then he scared Joe into retirement.
Don’t get me wrong, Joe is an immensely talented fighter, but that’s where it ends.
His legacy doesn’t hold a candle to Bernard’s.
Who refuses a rematch on home turf after winning a disputed decision in their only fight against a p4p recognized fighter?
A guy who is either unambitious or afraid, that’s who.
P.S. Having a laugh at your prediction that Roy will once again regain p4p status. Beating Omar Sheika and Jeff Lacy doesn’t give you an inside track to p4p status, but then again, you’re a Calzaghe fan so you wouldn’t understand that.
somebody said:
“Jones should just take the Damn 40%,Hes filthy rich anyway and even though Jones has a Ud win over Hopkins,Bernard has accomplished way more in his Career than Jones Has,”
If that is the case, why wont Hopkins take 60 percent for winner and 40 for loser? If he is a better fighter, then why would he concerned about how much he gets if he loses? That shows a lack of confidence. And why should Jones get less if he wins? That’s BS. Rich or not, your body is taking a beating.
Mike, any one who thinks B-Hop won the fight with Joe C is obviously a B-HOP fan NOT a BOXING Fan, for any true fan of the sport it was appalling due to Hopkins negative gameplan. Im a Brit but will hold my hands up if I think my countryman blatanly loses, i.e Carl Froch, I myself was fustrated by his static style against Taylor and had Taylor 2 rounds ahead going into the final round and will say for the record that Froch was getting schooled yet he pulled it out the bag (Hopkins couldnt do that). At the end of day Mike if your a true boxing fan you would have been fustrating by Hopkins game plan and answer this, if Joe is a slapper why wouldnt B-Hop stand and trade? nuff said
paul can you tell me where to get the audio/video (whatever the show is) ?
just listened to the show and it wasn’t jones that suggested the winner takes all, but he did agree to it
His career can’t touch B-Hops? Wow. Your knowledge is severely lacking. Hopkins best wins were all over smaller opponents (Tito, De La Hoya and Pavlik) Roy started as a junior middle weight (154) and went all the way up to heavyweight (199). That’ never been done before. IF Roy hadn’t lost so much weight in only a few months, he still would be considered the P4P champ. But before its all said and done, just watch, he will. He has moved up for all of his biggest fights too. He beat Toney when he was undefeated and had the longest win streak in the sport. He moved up and knocked Virgin Hill out with a body shot. And has always been two levels ahead of Benard, who has to cheat and fight dirty to win. He’s always done that. Against Calzaghe, he took a punch that wasn’t close to being low and went down for five minutes to get a rest. Roy had an inept corner that couldn’t stop a cut and he fought through it like the champ he is. Now that his dad is back, its game over.
Jones should just take the Damn 40%,Hes filthy rich anyway and even though Jones has a Ud win over Hopkins,Bernard has accomplished way more in his Career than Jones Has,And I dont care what anybody says,B-Hop Won the first Taylor fight .And that Joe fight,He landed way harder leather than Joe ever did.,Jones Should take the 40%.Jones is no doubt a future hall of famer but his Career cant touch B-hops.
I think that whatever the result would be Jones has put out an interesting offer (60% to the winner) making them have something to fight for, if every fight went on these terms boxing would be a lot better off, why cant Hopkins get a fight? Because he prices himself out each time
I would like to think Jones would beat Hopkins but I dont see it happening.
I really dislike Hopkins but at the moment a 44 year old Hopkins is better than a 40 year old Jones.
Jones Vs Tarver IV would be good. I hope Jones would beat him aswell~!!
i cant beleive were talking about this fight but hopkins of course should get more hes beaten way more top guys out there roy should just take less i mean who the hell has he beaten lately! I would like to see the fight on hbo but not ppv!
i think the 1st fyt was prity close,i disagree that they had both peakd at the time of the 1st fight,i think hopkins peakd later than roy,and if they had faught again in the last 10 years hopkins would easily have win,look at common opents,calzaghie,tarver and johnston and its easy to see who the victor would be
They should make this fight happen 50-50, or they both should just shut up about it!
waste of time they are both has beens and would prefer to fight joe.
First of all Roy Jones knows god damn well that it is illegal to have a winner take all or winner take this fight. So he should shut up about it.
Sorry, but “winner takes all” is not a valid boxing contract so Bernard was correct for hanging up. It’s a ridiculously amateur move of Jones to even suggest such a thing. Shame on anyone who thinks that that is a realistic option.
As for the fight itself, Bernard beats Roy 100 times out of 100 at this point.
Watch Hopkins-Calzaghe and then watch Jones-Calzaghe.
Watch Hopkins-Tarver and then watch Jones-Tarver.
It’s not even close. Roy Jones hasn’t beaten a worthwhile opponent in a decade and is merely looking for a paycheck.
I would love to see this fight within the next year but it will never happen. Jones is no doubt the money man between the two but Hopkins has had the better wins & career over the last 5 years. If Hopkins is insisting that he gets the bigger share, then this fight definitely will not happen. Hopkins last two fights against Pavlik & Tarver was shown on HBO & Jones Last two fights were on PPV against Lacy & Skeika! I think Hopkin is using this strategy to get Roy to agree on a 50-50 split or he really dosen’t want to fight Roy. Whether Hopkins get 40%-50%, he will make more money fighting Roy than any other guy so why would you turn that down! If you’re all about the money then fight Roy!
OO SH*T!!!!!!!!! i am going, i promise, i dont care what it takes, im there homie…lets get it goin!! im there all weekend…would be the biggest fight ever
Hopkins would destroy Roy Jones! Lets get it on!
This is a fight thats NEVER! to late to make…
As long as they are both fighting,this fight needs to happen.
Maybe they will fight there farewell fights against each other..That would be cool.
That is an interesting fight for Oldies but Goodies. With recent victory, Roy is entitled to get a shot with champ Hopkins. The problem lies on Bernard who thinks Jones is not worthy enough to risk his current status as top dog in middleweight division. Hopkins lose with Jones 10 years ago still haunts him.
Thats stupid, when they fought both fighters where nowhere near there prime. They were both fighting for a vacant title. I’d love to see this fight, would be close for sure.
i would like 2 see this fight!!!it’ll be fun 2 watch!.
about 10 years to late, imo. but i can see it happening
who cares about a 45 year old vs a 40 year old they did and jones made easy work of him when both was at there primes so end of story they will not fight ever jones won in 1993-1994 on points 116-111 thats that NEXT