Bernard Hopkins’ trainer Nazim Richardson feels that Hopkins should choose to fight Roy Jones Jr. rather than Joe Calzaghe, the current undisputed super middleweight champion, according to AP. Richardson believes that Calzaghe isn’t in Hopkins’ class, and that he would be better off fighting Jones because Hopkins still has a “score to settle” with Jones over a narrow uanimous decision loss in 1993. Over the years, both Jones and Hopkins have spoken about a rematch but they were never able to come to an agreement due to differences of opinion over who should be paid more for the bout.
To be sure, a bout beteen Hopkins and the badly faded Jones, whom has lost three out of his last five bouts, would still be an interest to most fans, even if Jones is past his prime. Calzaghe, though, would be a tough fight for the 42 year-old Hopkins, one that he likely would lose to because of Calzaghe’s fast hands and great boxing skills. At this stage, Hopkins has been leaning in the direction of fighting Calzaghe, but they’re still far apart in terms of agreeing on a location for the bout.
Hopkins has stated that he won’t go to England to fight Calzaghe, that he wants the fight to take place in the United States, either in New York or Las Vegas. Calzaghe doesn’t seem to mind, knowing that he’d likely be able to beat Hopkins no matter where the bout takes place. Based on how Hopkins has looked in his most recent fights, narrow decision wins over Antonio Tarver and Winky Wright, he should perhaps listen to his trainer and opt for a fight with the 39 year-old Jones.
Calzaghe will probably beat Hopkins badly and ruin his legacy, something that the won’t be able to undo at this stage of his career. So far, Hopkins has been incredibly lucky with his two wins over Tarver and Wright, as many fans thought he was too old to pull it off.
However, Calzaghe is a completely different ball game altogether, and it would be almost a miracle for Hopkins to defeat a fighter of his class. At least with Jones, Hopkins would have an excellent chance at winning, because Jones has lost much of his handspeed and foot movement, allowing even mediocre fighters to land often against. This would be the ideal fight for Hopkins to bow out on and end his career. Hopefully, Hopkins listens to his trainer and takes on Jones.