By William Mackay: 44-year-old Bernard Hopkins (49-5-1, 32 KO’s) has lofty goals for 2010, saying in article at the New York Post, “I will become heavyweight champion in 2010.” However, with Hopkins’ advanced age, and his limited size, it seems unlikely that Hopkins will ever accomplish this goal. Hopkins has been out of action for the past 13 months since defeating Kelly Pavlik by a lopsided 12 round decision in October 2008. Hopkins will return to the ring on December 2nd to face middleweight contender Enrique Ornelas (29-5, 19 KO’s) at the Liacouras Center, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Hopkins will be using this fight as a warm-up for a March 13th rematch against Roy Jones Jr. However, the Hopkins can ill afford to look past Ornelas because with the amount of time that has gone by since Hopkins last fought, he could have aged to the point where he’s more beatable now. Hopkins will be turning 45 in January, and even though he says that he doesn’t look his age, sooner or later his body is going to start showing his age.

Even if he slips a little, it might be enough for Ornelas to have enough to beat Hopkins. It’s doubtful, though, because Ornelas didn’t exactly look like a championship material in losing to Marco Antonio Rubio by a 12 round split decision last year. Besides that, Ornelas also has loses to Sam Soliman, Bronko McKart, Sam Reese and Christian Cruz. Ornelas is a pretty basic fighter that likes to stand and trade with his opponents. If Hopkins shows any kind of movement, Ornelas will likely be in trouble, and unable to cope with Hopkins.

If Hopkins can get by Ornelas and Jones next year, there is talk of Hopkins going after World Boxing Association heavyweight champion David Haye. That would be a very tough bout for Hopkins, because not only is Haye two inches taller than Hopkins at 6’3″, but he also has much faster hand speed, more power and a much bigger frame than Hopkins. This wouldn’t be a fight where Hopkins would be able to beat up a slow, slender Kelly Pavlik.

Haye is a completely different fighter than Pavlik. Hopkins wouldn’t be able to get away with roughing Haye up in close like Hopkins did with Pavlik. And at the same time, Hopkins wouldn’t be able to befuddle Haye with movement on the side. The hand speed and power would be in Haye’s favor and the only thing that Hopkins would have going for him is his much greater experience in the ring.

This won’t mean much if he doesn’t have the physical tools with which to compete with Haye. This fight has mismatch written all over it. Hopkins might stay upright for the full 12 rounds, because he would likely run from Haye after tasting his power, but it will likely be an ugly fight to watch.

It would be a sad way for Hopkins to end his great career, although he would likely get a huge payday if he is able to entice Haye into taking the fight with him. Hopkins has never fought even at cruiserweight, and for him to gain enough weight for him to be competitive with Haye would be a monumental task.