By Eric Thomas: Coming off an impressive 1st round knockout victory over 41-year-old Roy Jones Jr. on December 2nd, International Boxing Organization cruiserweight champion Danny Green (28-3, 25 KO’s) has next set his sights on 44-year-old Bernard Hopkins, whom he is in negotiations with for a fight in early 2010 in Australia. In an article with Philly.com, Green says “I come to destroy my opponents. Over 90 percent of my fights have ended in knockouts. My style is no secret.”

Hopkins didn’t look all that impressive in winning his recent fight over Enrique Ornelas on December 2nd. Hopkins beat him by a 12 round decision, but looked slower and throwing fewer punches than he had been against Kelly Pavlik a year earlier. This could have been because Ornelas wasn’t a fighter that Hopkins could get up for in the same way that he could for a fight against the middleweight champion Pavlik, but it also could be a sign that Hopkins is starting to show his age. Bernard turns 45 in January, and that’s an age where a normal person’s physical tools start to decline.

Green is still looking very strong for a 36-year-old fighter, and with his powerful punches and aggressive attacking style, he’ll be problems for Hopkins to deal with. Hopkins, however, is a defensive genius, and he could find a way to slow Green down by clinching constantly. This was one of Hopkins’ tactics in his loss to Joe Calzaghe in 2008. However, Calzaghe nullified it by throwing constant punches. Green will likely too try to overwhelm Hopkins’ defense and prevent him from clinching as much as he’d like to. In terms of work rate, there’s no question that Green will be the busier fighter.

Green likes to throw a lot of punches and stay on top of his opponents. Hopkins, as he’s aged, has become more of a pot shot type fighter. He tends to punch and hold immediately. It’s ugly, but the style works for him. He also can move well against stationary fighters like Pavlik. Green isn’t as immobile as Pavlik is, however, and is quite good at cutting off the ring. Hopkins will have to come up with a different strategy than that if he wants to beat Green. The punch and hold, and the movement won’t likely be enough to beat Green in Australia. Hopkins may have to prove that he can stand his ground and turn back Green’s attacks in the trenches. At 45, I’m not so certain that Hopkins can do that.

Green says “Bernard is a defensive genius. He’s going to try and shut my offense down and hold out for a decision. I don’t think he can do it, but there’s only one way to find out, isn’t there?

Hopkins has few other options besides Green. The fight with Jones is now off the table because of Green’s knockout win over him. And if Hopkins fights light heavyweight Chad Dawson, Hopkins will have a much younger, taller and faster opponent in front of him. He won’t get a huge payday in that fight and may get beaten badly. Other than Dawson, there’s Lucian Bute, the tough IBF super middleweight champion, who has a very hit and run style. Hopkins would have a lot of problems with him as well.