Jones-Hopkins: Will this be the Final Chapter?

By Kirk Jackson: About 17 years ago the world was witness to a middleweight championship bout between future hall of famers and boxing legends Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. Although Roy Jones would emerge the victor, both fighters would enjoy successful careers inside the ring following their fight.

After beating Hopkins, Jones would take a few subsequent fights against lesser known fighters before making an official defense of his IBF title against Thomas Tate. After annihilating Tate, Roy would later vacate his middleweight belt, move up in weight and challenge for the IBF Super Middleweight crown. Roy would then solidify his status as a pound for pound king by defeating future hall of famer and at the time, a 2 division champion and undefeated James Toney, in a historic clash of powers. Providing perhaps the greatest performance of his career, Jones easily outclassed Toney and displayed he was truly a special fighter. After a string of title defenses, Roy would make his mark in the light heavyweight division. He would first face and defeat Mike McCallum to earn the WBC light heavy weight title. After beating McCallum, Roy would face the likes of Montell Griffin, Virgil Hill, Julio Cesar Gonzalez, Eric Harding, Clinton Woods, and others over the next few years.

Roy’s career would ultimately reach its highest point when he moved up to heavyweight and snatched one of the alphabet belts from champion John Ruiz. But like a shooting star, Roy’s seemingly bright light would quickly begin to burn out after his brief success in the heavyweight division. In a struggle to get back down in weight 25 pounds south to the light heavyweight division, Roy would engage in a life and death battle with long time childhood rival Antonio Tarver. After barely winning his 1st bout with Tarver, Jones would suffer 2 consecutive knock out loses. One of those losses would be from the hands of Tarver, the other from former Hopkins’ victim Glen Johnson.

Bernard would enjoy the fruits of his own success after his loss to Jones in 1993. The executioner would capture the middleweight title in April of 95, when he defeated the tough and battled tested Segundo Mercado. Bernard would begin his reign as king of the division, ruling as champion for the next 10 years. He would establish a record of having 20 middleweight title defenses surpassing the likes of the legendary Carlos Monzon, and Marvin Hagler. While in route to accomplishing this feat, Hopkins would also acquire all the alphabet belts, unifying the division. Some of the notable opponents faced during Bernard’s reign include Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad, Robert Allen, Howard Eastman, William Joppy, Antwun Echols, Keith Holmes and future Roy Jones’ conqueror Glen Johnson.

After losing 2 controversial fights to Jermain Taylor in 2005, Hopkins would move up to 175 to face the undisputed light heavyweight champion and self proclaimed “legend killer“ Antonio Tarver. After shocking the boxing world and handily dominating Tarver, Hopkins would face the highly skilled Winky Wright, and would defeat him as well in a sloppy, highly contested affair. In his next bout, the ageless wonder from Philly would take on the undefeated champ from Wales Joe Calzaghe. After losing another controversial and close fight against Calzaghe, it looked as if the sun had finally set on Bernard’s career. In attempt to gain more exposure and perhaps put the final nail in the executioner’s coffin, the current inheritor of the middleweight division, Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik looked to put an end to Hopkins’ career by knocking him out. But once again, in perhaps the best outing of his illustrious career, Bernard shocked the world again when the 43 year old dominated the young 26 year old champion.

Like Hopkins, Jones would also find resurgence as he tried to revitalize his career. After losing to Tarver for a 3rd time finishing their trilogy, Jones would take a few tune ups before he faced the iconic, but faded star Felix Trinidad. Building up confidence and beginning to string along a mini win streak, Jones looked to find his way out of mediocrity and was able to secure a fight with Light Heavyweight Champion and pound for pound top lister Joe Calzaghe. Unfortunately for Jones, he was soundly defeated by Calzaghe and it looked as though it was time to call it a career.

Apparently, Jones has other plans as he continues fighting on but many are perplexed as to why? Many question the same for Bernard Hopkins. Both haven accomplished plenty in this sport, and have nothing left to prove. Perhaps they are fighting again to settle the score and take care of some unfinished business. It’s clear the lights have dimmed for both fighters, mainly more for so Roy than Bernard. This fight could have been made at the end of 2002 and would have had more relevance, but some may argue it’s better late than never. I know Jones being knocked out in his previous bout doesn’t help sell this fight.

Either the way, the show must go on. These are 2 distinctive fighters in style and personality. Roy possessing the more crowd pleasing, viewer friendly style and openly abrasive nature, while Bernard has more of a defensive, gritty style inside and outside the ring, molded from the harsh realities of his living environment in Philadelphia. We have 2 contrasting paths involved in a convoluted relationship over the years, looking to meet up one last time, perhaps looking to write the final chapters in their storied careers. But you never know with these 2, there can be another book after this.

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