Boxing Betting / Alex Steedman / 02 April 2010 /

Many think Roy Jones Jr should have called it a day long before this Saturday's bout against the Philadelphian hard man. But where is Alex Steedman putting his money?

The balance boxers have to strike between winning, entertaining and - for the real talents - defining their place within the sport's history is indeed a delicate one. It is a point which is given perspective by this weekend's belated rematch between Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr.

It's nearly 17 years since the pair first met in Washington for the vacant IBF Middleweight title at a time when both were looking to announce themselves on the world scene. Jones took the title with a performance which was more commanding than the three scorecards of 116-112 suggest. Having been blatantly robbed of an Olympic Gold medal in Seoul five years earlier, it was a special moment for Jones.

The flash, often brilliant American went on to defend that title before moving up in weight the following year to challenge and outclass James Toney, a feat considered impossible at the time. That's how good Jones was in his younger days. The Florida fighter went on a 21 fight, 11 year unbeaten run (forgetting his DQ against Montell Griffin, a fight he was winning anyway) but it was who he was beating rather than the style of his wins which will forever be held against him. Not until he moved up to heavyweight to defeat John Ruiz and create history in 2003 did Jones move out of his comfort zone to test himself.

Had he retired then, his record would have been scrutinized but admired and Jones' panache in the ring would always have backed up any late night debate about his relative brilliance. He should have called it a day and there are many who think he should be calling it quits now. His latest defeat, a humiliating first round KO loss to Danny Green (a decent fighter but not likely to figure in anyone's top 100) was further evidence that the ring, for so long a natural home for Jones, suddenly looks like somebody else's back yard.

And Bernard Hopkins has always been a man to expose opponents' frailties. The Philadelphian hard man took two years and six fights to win the title Jones had beaten him to and that after Jones vacated it. But like his nemesis, he went on a 21 fight, decade long winning run. Whereas Jones was the talented Olympian for whom everything, money included, came so easily, Hopkins had to graft for his living, to scrap for respect.

Beating Oscar De La Hoya in 2004 elevated Hopkins to the big league and he has belligerently refused to leave ever since. Stylistically, he's not everyone's bag, but Hopkins has embarrassed established stars like Winky Wright and Antonio Tarver -who beat Jones twice- and he completely bamboozled then rising sensation Kelly Pavlik. Remember also that Hopkins only narrowly lost a disputed decision to Joe Calzaghe before he went on to dominate Jones six months later.

All the form lines suggest that Hopkins ought to win it but as ever with 'The Executioner' it's guessing how much he's going to put into the performance. If ever a fighter was misleadingly monikered, the current version of Hopkins is definitely it. He's gone the distance in each of his last eight fights since that breakthrough KO of De La Hoya and fights as though he is mindful of his 45 years. With a little more effort Hopkins could have beaten Calzaghe and similarly he probably should have beaten Jermain Taylor twice. The record book might well read that Roy Jones Jr was the last man to succeed over Bernard Hopkins in 1993.

But the book as it stands is probably what motivates Hopkins as well as his unquenchable hunger to prove doubters wrong. Too old, not good enough; I'll show you. Alongside the prevailing vulnerability of Jones that just makes me wonder if Hopkins has one swashbuckling performance still in him.

Everything points to another Hopkins win on points at around [2.0] but I just wonder. Jones doesn't have the reflexes or the speed that his hands-low style demands, so he's there for the taking, if Hopkins wants it enough or perhaps as importantly, if he has it in him. At [20.0] and bigger for a Hopkins KO in every individual round it could be worth a prod on a couple of those to find out.

The irony is that Hopkins has always been low voltage in terms of excitement yet he has an opportunity here to produce some rare fireworks as well as scribbling some more of his own print in the history books - and that against one of the greatest talents boxing has produced.

Verdict: Hopkins to win
Recommended: Poiints win 2PTS (0-10 STAKE)

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