Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. finally end rivalry, possibly careers

By Brett Okamoto

Sunday, April 4, 2010 | 12:56 a.m.

In many ways, Bernard Hopkins began his career the minute after losing to Roy Jones Jr. in a middleweight title fight in 1993.

After finally avenging that loss with a unanimous decision victory over Jones on Saturday at Mandalay Bay, there are some who would advise Hopkins it would be the perfect way to end it.

Hopkins (51-5-1, 32 KO) broke into a huge smile as the final bell sounded Saturday, putting an end to a dominating performance in which he won nearly every round against Jones (54-6, 40 KO).

To Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schafer, it symbolized an acceptable way for the future Hall of Fame fighter to go out, as defeating Jones was the only box left unchecked on Hopkins’s list of accomplishments.

“In my own personal opinion, after 17 years of waiting for that victory he got tonight, it’s a great accomplishment for Bernard and in a way, it’s the icing on the cake to cap off an amazing career,” Schafer said. “Who knows? Maybe all of us witnessed history by watching the last fight of one of the greatest fighters in our generation.”

Saturday’s fight could be critiqued as much slower than the 1993 version and certainly less tactical.

As Square Ring Promotions CEO Jon Wirt, who represents Jones, put it, “That was obviously a long-standing rivalry. It was good to see it tonight, but I don’t know if I would want to see it again.”

It was defined by the number of stops in the action — four altogether — but also the heart and tenacity both fighters showed.

The sheer competitiveness of both boxing legends was definitely on display following the sixth round, when both Hopkins and Jones continued to throw punches well after the bell had sounded the end of the round.

But although it had its moments, it seemed appropriate that following a bout featuring two fighters with nearly 100 years of age between them, neither one was physically able to make it to the post-fight press conference. Hopkins was troubled by swelling on the back of his head while Jones's left eye required immediate stitching.

“I think (Hopkins) proved everything he could a few years ago,” Schafer said. “I think he needs to ask himself if he wants to continue. He started his career with Roy Jones, maybe ending his career with Roy and having these two bookends on either side of an amazing library of accomplishments would not be such a bad thing.”

Hopkins, considered by many heading into the fight to still be among the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, collapsed in his locker room following the fight according to Schafer due to the shots he absorbed in the back of the head throughout the fight from Jones.

The 45-year-old fighter went down twice from illegal blows to the back of the head from Jones and a third time after an illegal groin shot.

According to Schafer, Hopkins admitted to seeing spots from the sixth round on and was urged by doctors to be taken out in a stretcher after his collapse.

Hopkins refused, stating that a fighter with ambitions to still win a heavyweight title shouldn’t be going anywhere on a stretcher.

“He said, ‘I still have to fight for the heavyweight championship of the world,’” Schafer said. “We’ll see what’s next for Bernard. I really want to see what doctors are saying. Obviously, he’s 45 years old; he’s not a 25-year-old anymore.

“I will have a friend-to-friend conversation with him. After tonight, I’m not so sure it’s a great idea to be going after the heavyweight champion of the world.”

Both Hopkins and Jones will have to answer questions on retirement following Saturday, even though they were both medically cleared for Saturday by the Nevada State Athletic Commission with relative ease.

At this point, it’s become clear they must at least face the possibility of hanging up their gloves, as even undercard fighters spoke of them as retired legends.

“Roy Jones is a personal idol of mine and Bernard is obviously a legend,” said Sergio Mora, who defeated Calvin Green on an undercard fight. “No matter what happens tonight, they’re still legends. In my heart, I’m going to look up to them.”

Whether or not the fighters themselves make that decision, however, may be a different story, as Hopkins’s post-fight wishes seem to point to.

“Immediately after his fight, he’s talking about fighting for the heavyweight championship,” said Schafer, on whether or not he believes Hopkins will be open to retirement. “I think that’s your answer right there.”

Brett Okamoto can be reached at 948-7817 or [email protected]. Also follow him on twitter: LVSunFighting.