Twelve, maybe 15 years ago Roy Jones, Jr. vs. Bernard Hopkins would have been at least the equivalent of Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto. Maybe bigger. In fact it would have been their second fight and an historic third would have been a given to finally settle the score and launch these legends into boxing eternity. It never happened.
But they did a pretty good job of that on their own.
They fight in 48 hours and I doubt I’ll even take a shower for when I go to the sports bar to watch it. Well, OK I’ll shower, but I won’t like it.
These two have been in my living room many times in the past 20 years via HBO and Showtime and I believe I’m on a first name basis with each.
I have even done some PR work for Roy and so he’s called me a few times and that made me feel special. I even handed Roy the phone once to say hello to a big fan of his he didn’t know in San Antonio and you know I got a few free meals out of that little maneuver.
I remember I drove home from somewhere really concerned about the welfare of Bernard one night wondering how the heck could he get dropped twice and held to a draw against someone named Segundo Mercardo and pay his rent the next month.
Same thing the night Roy got the gift decision against Antonio Tarver and certainly the next time Tarver starched him.
Who gave Bernard that silly “B-Hop” nickname? Never liked it. Didn’t have my approval. He’s a “Bernard” all the way.
I hope this fight Saturday night will be the last of their careers. And that’s not a bad thing. Jones will always be high profile and he’ll have even more of an impact as a promoter if he signs good prospects and an occasional big fight to sell us.
You know Hopkins won’t be leaving us any time soon because he’s addicted to the action and with his many analyst jobs and being high profile with Golden Boy Promotions he’ll be around and we’ll watch his hair turn gray in front of our eyes.
I have no interest in the strategies either will bring into the ring Saturday night. I would be happy with a quick stoppage or no contest. They have both bled enough for us.
I think the old-timers like myself will at least privately be thanking them for their service over the years and not complaining that this fight is a waste of time. What good does that do anyway?
I can honestly say the boxing business has been better off with both Roy and Bernard in any order.
