Seventeen years of bad blood

Story by Andreas Hale
Photos by Chris Cozzone

17 years.

A combined 71 fights between them since they last faced each other.

Both have made their mark in the history books as they have been considered two of the greatest fighters of our era. For years fight fans have yearned for the rematch to take place. On April 3, Roy Jones Jr (54-6, 40 KOs) and Bernard Hopkins (50-5-2 1NC, 35 KOs) will finally settle their differences inside the ring at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

On Wednesday, a final press conference took place before the two step into the ring. One thing is for sure, the bad blood is still there.

Things certainly have changed since Jones Jr. defeated Hopkins by unanimous decision in 1993. After defeating Hopkins, Jones went on to become the fighter of the decade in the 1990’s. But at 41-years-old he has seen his skills diminish. Since squeaking by Antonio Tarver in 2003, Jones has lost five of his last ten fights – three of them by brutal knockout. Regardless, Jones still thinks he has the number of “The Executioner.”

"I guess he is what they call my 'rival.' I don't like it, but it is what it is,” Jones said at the final presser. “Saturday I am going to clear that up.”

Jones is entering this fight a massive underdog. A man of little words during the conference, Jones was quick to note that he is ready and is looking to make it 1993 all over again.

"This is going to be vintage Roy Jones,” he proclaimed. “I feel the best I have felt in a long time. In past fights I have felt like I over trained. This fight, I feel just right.”

Hopkins has been salivating for the opportunity to avenge his loss to RJJ. After the loss, Hopkins quietly began to make a name for himself while Jones escalated to stardom. A record 20 title defenses at Middleweight couldn’t get him a rematch with Jones. Whipping the likes of Felix Trinidad, Oscar De La Hoya, Winky Wright, Kelly Pavlik and Antonio Tarver couldn’t get him the fight he longed for. At 45-years-old, looking better than ever, he finally gets his chance.

"It's personal,” Hopkins said. “It's definitely personal. I'm in the fight business which is the hurt business.”

The two have been exchanging barbs for years as the two sides could never agree to terms to get in the ring. While Jones remained silent, Hopkins opted to indulge in more verbal jabs before the real jabs come on Saturday.

"This weekend is a holiday weekend and I want to give Roy a gift that I think he deserves,” Hopkins said as he pulled out a giant stuffed bunny and an Easter basket filled with marshmallow chickens. “He has been running like a rabbit for 17 years and I was looking for a rooster, but all I found was these chickens and he is chicken.”

As Jones smiled and took photos with his “gift,” Hopkins continued to rip into Jones with an understanding that he is indeed the favorite to win the fight.

"I don't want to look like a bully on Saturday night,” Hopkins said as Jones continued to pose with his stuffed rabbit. “I want him to bring his 'A Game.'

While it was all fun and games for Jones, Hopkins turned things up a notch.

"I will knock this guy out,” B-Hop rifled off before turning to Jones’ trainer Alton Merkerson for a final message. “It is going to be up to Merkerson whether he lives or dies.”

It is safe to say that on April 3rd two bitter rivals will finally settle their 17-year score and neither will feel bad doing whatever it takes to destroy their opponent.