Moments ago at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada, living legends Bernard ?The Executioner? Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. put attempted to end their long-running feud once and for all. While the pre-fight theatrics and verbal assaults were enough to slightly perk one?s interest, the fight itself failed to deliver.
For the better part of twelve slow-paced rounds, Hopkins controlled the action against his younger foe, eventually capturing a unanimous decision by scores of 118-109 and 117-110 twice. With the win Hopkins moves his record to 51-5-1 with 32 knockouts but failed to deliver the exclamation point that he was desperately seeking. Jones sees his record drop to 54-7 with 40 knockouts and seems to be a shell of the former great fighter who held title at Middleweight, Super Middleweight, Light Heavyweight, and Heavyweight.
In the early rounds the action was sparse but Hopkins seemed to control things with his slight aggression and work to the body. Jones was either too reluctant to fight back or simply lacking of the reflexes to counter and therefore the fight began to slip away from him.
Towards the end of the sixth round Jones hit Hopkins with a rabbit punch and Hopkins fell to the canvas writhing in pain. Referee Tony Weeks gave him time to recover and roughly three minutes later Hopkins was ready to go. With just seconds left in the round Hopkins stormed out and fired away recklessly at Jones in the corner. The bell sounded but an infuriated Hopkins continued to flail away seconds later. Both fighters exchanged despite Weeks trying to break the action up and a small riot almost broke out in the center of the ring as each man?s corner jumped in. Unfortunately this was as lively as the contest would ever get. Jones was also deducted a point for this illegal act.
In round eight Jones would hit Hopkins with yet another rabbit punch, but was not deducted a point. In the 10th Hopkins went down from a low bow and was again given time to recover. As the final rounds passed rounds was inactive and Hopkins carried the day with his consistency and willingness to exchange.
After the win Hopkins spoke modestly about his abilities.
?I?m a scrappy fighter from Philadelphia. I might not be pretty and I might not be flashy but I?m a blue collar worker like a lot of Americans.?
In closing Bernard pointed out that he is still very much intent on gunning for a move up to the Heavyweight division.
?I want David Haye. I want to be Heavyweight champion of the world.?
For his part, Jones said he will talk to his team about his future and that he may end up calling it a day.
