411 Boxing Preview: Jones/Hopkins Doubleheader

Posted by Ramon Aranda on 12.02.2009

Two fights in two separate locations all leading to a possible showdown in Las Vegas in March.


They'll have to win, to meet each other again

Hopkins-Ornelas photo by Jeff Fusco - Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions

It's been a little over 16 years since Roy Jones met Bernard Hopkins in the ring for the vacant IBF middleweight crown. It was an underwhelming fight to say the least but one in which led Jones down a path to superstardom as he defeated James Toney for his second belt about a year later. Hopkins rebounded from the loss and quietly began to amass a hall of fame career. It's a night that Hopkins has wanted back ever since despite arguably eclipsing Jones in accomplishments since that time. They've tried to negotiate deals in the past to no avail but 2010 will finally be the year that the long overdue rematch takes place…assuming they win tonight.

Both fighters are set to compete tonight on a doubleheader that's being televised by VERSUS. Hopkins (49-5-1, 32 KOs) will look to pick up his 50th professional victory when he takes on Enrique Ornelas in his hometown of Philadelphia. When the Jones rematch was all but signed, Hopkins was quick to take a tune-up fight, given his inactivity in 2009. The last time we saw B-Hop in the ring, he was plastering Kelly Pavlik all over the ring in Atlantic City in a fight that proved he was still as dangerous as ever, following his close decision loss to Joe Calzaghe earlier in the year. Unable to secure another marquee opponent however, Hopkins remained on the sidelines playing promoter but luckily he won't end 2009 without a fight. So who is this Ornelas guy he's fighting? Well Ornelas (29-5, 19 KOs), from Mexico, is the brother of super middleweight Librado Andrade who just got dusted off by Lucian Bute last week. Like his brother, Ornelas is a tough nut to crack with a sound chin but isn't exactly a world beater either. He last fought for a title at middleweight when he lost a split decision to Marco Antonio Rubio in 2008 - the same night that Hopkins schooled Pavlik, who subsequently beat Rubio in his next bout. To say that Ornelas, poses a serious threat to Bernard is probably wishful thinking and let's be honest, it's more about Hopkins staying busy than anything and that's ok.

I fully expect Hopkins to come right after Ornelas from the start. Though he often starts off slow, "The Executioner" likely wants to make a statement early that the lay off hasn't affected him one bit. Ornelas likes to come forward and this will play right into Hopkins' counterpunching style. The fact that Roy Jones Jr. will have already fought Danny Green by the time Hopkins gets in the ring means he'll want to show them up so look for an aggressive Hopkins. Needless to say, I'd be shocked if this one went the distance and although Ornelas has only been stopped once (in 2004), Bernard won't be content on going the distance with someone like Enrique. I say Hopkins win by late stoppage.

As for Mr. Roy Jones Jr., he'll be in Australia facing Danny Green in a cruiserweight bout. This will mark Jones' first foray into the division and is looking for a title belt. That Green holds some 200-pound trinket really means nothing so don't get too excited about Jones possibly adding another strap to his collection. Tomasz Adamek is the cruiserweight champ – don't forget that. That being said, this should be a decent scrap as Green has put on a nice little six-fight win streak since losing to Anthony Mundine in 2006. Green is a rugged fighter who likes to brawl and carries some good pop. He'll force the action against Jones which is what we hope for as Jeff Lacy wasn't able to do squat against him in August. I think it's a good thing to see Jones have to work as neither Omar Sheika nor Jeff Lacy put up much of a fight and the last time we saw Jones in a ‘fight', he was getting embarrassed by Joe Calzaghe in Madison Square Garden. Jones has looked good in the two fights since but don't expect Green to be a pushover himself. That's a good thing as the last thing Jones needs is a false sense of greatness going into his fight with Hopkins, should he win tonight. At the weigh-in yesterday, Jones did look in fantastic shape and had a very confident demeanor that typically speaks well of him. Despite Green having the home field advantage, Jones has been getting a good reception and he has shown his appreciation with the fans. This is his first fight outside the U.S. so for him to not have to deal with a monumental chorus of boos will help his psyche.

So what will Jones need to do here to pull off the win? Speed, speed, speed. If there's one thing he's retained throughout the years, it's his incredible punching speed. Sure he's not as cat-like with his reflexes, but he can still dish out some quick combinations. Mundine gave Green plenty of problems with his quickness and Jones will likely be able to do the same, so long as he's not content to throw one punch at a time. Of course, things can all change if Green cracks Jones flush on the jaw but assuming Jones can stay on the outside, he should be OK. My guess is that Jones has some adjusting to do early on but finally figures out Green by about the 5th round en route to a comfortable decision win.

Should he come out victorious, alongside Bernard Hopkins, we'll see them again in March for the rematch we'd though we would never see.

For the sake of seeing that fight, good luck to both men!