Hopkins/Jones Set For March 11th...

[Guest NaturalBornThriller4:20]

While I do await this fight, it should've happen 3 years ago...

 

From ESPN:

 

Ever since Roy Jones' unanimous decision victory against Bernard Hopkins for a vacant middleweight title in 1993, there has been high interest in a rematch, and on a few occasions it was close to being solidified.

 

Now, 12 years later, they've finally made a deal.

 

Jones and Hopkins agreed Friday morning to a March 11 rematch on HBO PPV, representatives of both fighters told ESPN.com.

 

"I think it's very exciting. Bernard is very happy about it and so is Roy. It's fantastic," said Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions, which promotes Hopkins.

 

"We have a deal," said Jones' adviser Brad Jacobs. "I have Richard's word that Hopkins is in. and Roy told me, 'Let's go.' Everybody reviewed what was on the table and were able to agree to it."

 

The deal was fairly easy to make relative to other major fights because the sides didn't bicker over the money, quickly agreeing to a 50-50 deal.

 

Schaefer said no site has been secured yet but that there is interest from venues in Atlanta, Memphis, Chicago and Washington (where the 1993 fight took place).

 

Hopkins, who was considering retirement after his second consecutive close decision loss to Jermain Taylor on Dec. 3, initially asked for a 60-40 revenue split with Jones. But Hopkins backed off in recent days, telling ESPN.com that he had spoke personally with Jones and decided that he "would do it 50-50 across the board because this fight is for history."

 

The fight will match two of the era's biggest stars in a 12-round light heavyweight fight that amounts to a farewell bout for both of them.

 

"The way we look at it is that it really is the final chapter," Schaefer said. "That might just be the name of the fight because I think both guys are tremendous legends, and each one wants to end his career with a win. It's funny that 12 years ago they fought each other and their careers after that fight took much different paths, yet they still both became legends. And here they are closing their careers against each other. I think it's a fitting end to their respective careers."

 

Hopkins, who turns 41 in January, promised his late mother, Shirley, before she died that he would not fight past 40, although he will put that date off by several weeks to get in his finale with Jones.

 

Hopkins (46-4-1, 32 KOs) lost a unanimous decision to Jones in 1993 -- all three judges scored it 116-112. But after Jones moved up in weight, Hopkins eventually claimed the middleweight title. He ruled the division for more than a decade, making a division-record 20 defenses, including knockout victories against Felix Trinidad and Oscar De La Hoya, until two close decision losses to Taylor this year.

 

Jones (49-4, 38 KOs), who turns 37 on Jan. 16, is a former middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight champion. For a decade he was considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, an nearly untouchable fighter with blazing speed and power. But he has slipped recently, losing three consecutive fights, including two by knockout.

 

In his last fight on Oct. 1, he lost a decision in his rubber match with light heavyweight king Antonio Tarver, but said afterward that he wanted at least one more fight.

 

"I think it's a perfect fight for both guys," Jacobs said. "You have Hopkins, who is a legend in the middleweight division, and the same is true of Roy in the light heavyweight division. He owns the win over Hopkins and it's the right fight for both guys at this time."

 

Hopkins would have preferred to fight Tarver in order "to do what Sugar Ray Robinson fell one round short of, and that's win the light heavyweight title." However, Tarver is well over 200 pounds now while he is filming the movie "Rocky Balboa," and probably wouldn't be able to get into light heavyweight fighting shape by March.

 

I guess they'll both retire after the fight?

[snuffbox 0]

Oooooo...two guys that can't win big fights anymore meet each other, better start saving that 50$ for ppv right now...

 

By the way, there will actually be some really good fights next year where the participants are actualy not afraid to punch each other. Morales-PacMan 2, Coralles-Castillo3, Barerra-Chavez...

[UZI Suicide 0]

I REALLY wanted to see this fight a few years ago, now I don't give a shit.

[NoCalMike 0]

1998 called, it wants it's Superfight back.......

 

seriously though, mr. pitty pat vs. mr stand around for half the fight. Maybe the name value along will make this a draw, but I have a hard time seeing people want to shell out $50.00 to watch two guys that don't like to fight, box.

[NoCalMike 0]

Oh and regarding Corralles/Castillo 3.....everyone knows it is being broadcasted on Showtime Network and NOT PPV....right? Don't ask me why as I would surely dish out the cash for the ppv, but it is going to be on Showtime Cable.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

Pac/Morales is the one I'm really geared up for. Guaranteed bloodbath.

[snuffbox 0]

Oh and regarding Corralles/Castillo 3.....everyone knows it is being broadcasted on Showtime Network and NOT PPV....right? Don't ask me why as I would surely dish out the cash for the ppv, but it is going to be on Showtime Cable.

 

Yep, that was great news to hear...and HBO has followed the lead and appear to be putting Hasim Rahman-James Toney on regular hbo as well.

 

Why anyone would be interested in B-Hop-Roy 2 is way beyond me...if you really need 'name' fighters theres already two better ppv matchups scheduled for '06 in Mosely-Vargas and DLH-Mayorga. Along with the other fights scheduled Hop-Roy is like an ugly bitch in a room full of sweet cuties, only worthy of being ignored.

[BruiserKC 0]

It's funny...at one point Hopkins had no problem with mixing it up. Now it's as if he doesn't want to break a nail or something when he's in the ring. Jones has always been the type who never wants to get a glove laid on him...he'll backpedal and do everything short of run, especially in the later rounds.

 

I'm in agreement with most here...I used to be a huge Hopkins fan but I'm just not feeling shelling out $50 for this one. I suppose I can head to Hooters and watch it for the cost of some wings and a pitcher.

[Lt. Al Giardello 0]

1998 called, it wants it's Superfight back.......

 

seriously though, mr. pitty pat vs. mr stand around for half the fight. Maybe the name value along will make this a draw, but I have a hard time seeing people want to shell out $50.00 to watch two guys that don't like to fight, box.

 

Actually it wasn't a superfight in 1998, in 2002 it was a superfight, espically after Hopkins beat Trinidad.

 

But yeah this fight should of happen 3 years ago, now it's useless. And to the poster who said Hopkins cant win a big fight anymore, alot of people had Hopkins beating Jermain Taylor both times.