Hackensack, NJ (October 17, 2013) – Former IBA, WBC USNBC and WBA NABA cruiserweight titlist Bobby “The Celtic Warrior” Gunn will have a career defining opportunity when he meets former pound for pound king Roy Jones Jr. in December in Pennsylvania.

Gunn, who sports a professional ledger of 21-5-1 with 18 wins by knockout, fought James Toney and Tomasz Adamek in his last two bouts but came up short both times. A legendary bare knuckle boxer whose bouts have been viewed more than 600,000 times on YouTube, Gunn also won other cruiserweight belts and was rated in the top 10 by the WBA and WBC. The heavy-handed New Jersey based Canadian was on the verge of retiring but had interest in fighting Jones Jr. for a number of years.

“I’ve wanted a match up with Roy for quite some time but it never worked out for a number of reasons,” stated Gunn. “We’ve been working on this for awhile and I wasn’t sure if it was ever going to happen but I’m glad it will. People can say what they want about Roy and I at this stage but this is an extremely important fight. The winner will take a huge step forward and the loser is at the end of the road.”

One of the greatest fighters in boxing history, Roy Jones Jr. is one of the few boxers of any era that truly doesn’t need an introduction. In 64 professional bouts, Jones Jr. is an outstanding 56-8 with 40 wins by way of knockout. The former middleweight, undisputed light heavyweight and heavyweight titleholder has wins over boxing greats Bernard Hopkins, Felix Trinidad, the aforementioned Toney and Hall of Famer Virgil Hill amongst others. In his most recent bout, Jones Jr. traveled to Poland and topped unbeaten hometown favorite Pawel Glazewski.

Jones Jr.-Gunn is scheduled for 12 rounds in the cruiserweight division. The card is promoted by Jones Jr’s Square Ring Promotions and the exact date and location along with undercard bouts will be announced shortly.

SUNRISE, FL (Oct. 10) – In a clash of unbeaten fighters, 2012 U.S. Olympian Errol Spence Jr. will be back in the ring on Monday, Oct.14, as he faces off against fellow undefeated welterweight Emmanuel “Ice Cold” Lartey in the Golden Boy Live! eight-round co-main event of the FOX Sports 1 & FOX Deportes broadcast from the BB&T Center in Sunrise, FL.

Also added to this six-bout card are Spence Jr.’s Olympic teammate Rau’shee Warren of Cincinnati and undefeated Puerto Rican hot prospect Jeffrey Fontanez. In the previously announced 10 round super weltereight main event, Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo will challenge New York City southpaw Jose Angel “Silver Boy” Rodriguez.

The event will also feature a special guest appearance by boxing superstar and former World Champion Roy Jones Jr.

Errol Spence Jr. (8-0, 7 KO’s) is a 23-year-old versatile southpaw who has shown impressive power in his professional career. Hehas had a spectacular 2013 campaign thus far, winning all six of his bouts, with the last four victories coming via first-round knockout. On Oct. 14, the 2012 U.S. Olympian from Desoto, Texas will attempt to add to his winning streak.

A native of Accra, Ghana now fighting out of Brooklyn, NY, 32-year-old Emmanuel “Ice Cold” Lartey (16-0, 8 KO’s) has drawn positive comparisons to his home country’s greatest boxer, Azumah Nelson, for his style in the ring and remains undefeated in his eight-year professional career. A former Ghanaian and African Boxing Union Champion, Lartey’s two most recent bouts have seen him win by decision over fellow prospects Michael Anderson and Jonathan Batista.

The first and only boxer to earn his way onto three U.S. Olympic teams, Rau’shee Warren (15-0, 3 KO’s) is now pursuing a world championship as a professional and he’s off to an impressive start. Winning five bouts in 2013, the 26-year-old from Cincinnati, Ohio was in top form in his most recent effort on Sept. 2, knocking Omar Gonzalez down five times on his way to a six-round unanimous decision victory. On Oct.14, he will face Fresno’s Michael Ruiz Jr. (9-3-1, 3 KO’s) in an eight-round contest.

Twenty -year-old lightweight Jeffrey Fontanez (12-0, 9 KO’s) is the latest prospect to emerge from the island of Puerto Rico and it appears that this Caguas-native has all of the right tools to succeed in the ring. Fontanez also has shown plenty of poise and knockout power in his 2013 wins over veteran competitors Daniel Attah and Alejandro Rodriguez

Also in action on Oct. 14 will be some of Florida’s finest in four round battles when Tampa’s welterweight Willie Jones (2-0, 1 KO) faces off against Jose Angel Segura (2-4-2, 1 KO) of Miami and Ruskin, Florida welterweight Martin Lagunas Jr. will make his pro debut against Ft. Lauderdale’s Larry Yanez (3-6-2).

An opponent for Fontanez will be announced shortly.

Charlo vs. Rodriguez, a 10-round junior middleweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Sunrise Sports & Entertainment and sponsored by Corona and O’Reilly Auto Parts. The BB&T Center doors open at 7:00 p.m. ET and the first bell rings at 8:00 p.m. ET. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes bilingual simulcast will air live at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets priced at $196.25 (VIP Tables), $75, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges, are now available for purchase at all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling (800) 745-3000, online at http://www.ticketmaster.com and at the BB&T Center box office.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.thebbtcenter.com,
follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/twincharlo,
www.twitter.com/LeftyStyle79, www.twitter.com/RauSheeWarren, www.twitter.com/ErrolSpenceJr, www.twitter.com/JeffreyDinamita, www.twitter.com/thebbtcenter and follow the conversation using #GoldenBoyLive, become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing. For more information on FOX Sports 1 visit www.FOXSports.com/FOXSports1 and become a follower on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@FOXSports, @FOXSports1, @FOXSportsPR and @FOXDeportes.

SUNRISE, FLORIDA (Sept. 18) – Golden Boy Promotions returns to the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida on Monday, Oct.14, for the latest edition of Golden Boy Live! on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes featuring unbeaten junior middleweight Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo against New York City southpaw Jose Angel “Silver Boy” Rodriguez.

The event will also feature a special guest appearance by boxing superstar and former World Champion Roy Jones Jr.

“Rodriguez is a tough veteran who has definitely fought quality opposition,” said Charlo. “It’s my job to make him look like an amateur and get him out of there. That’s what I plan on doing on October 14.”

“This is a great opportunity and I thank Golden Boy Promotions and FOX Sports 1 for making this happen,” said Rodriguez. “Now it’s up to me to get the job done and I’m more confident than ever that my hand will be raised.”

“We are very much looking forward to bringing the Golden Boy Live! series to the BB&T Center,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “One of the best parts of consistently hosting this Monday night fight series, is the opportunity to showcase up and coming fighters in different cities so that fight fans across the country have the chance to see great fights live.”

Charlo vs. Rodriguez, a 10-round junior middleweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Sunrise Sports & Entertainment and sponsored by Corona and O’Reilly Auto Parts. The BB&T Center doors open at 7:00 p.m. ET and the first bell rings at 8:00 p.m. ET. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes bi-lingual simulcast will air live at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. Additional televised undercard bouts will be announced shortly.

Tickets priced at $196.25 (VIP Tables), $75, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges, are now available for purchase at all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling (800) 745-3000, online at http://www.ticketmaster.com and at the BB&T Center box office.

Houston’s Jermell Charlo (21-0, 10 KO’s) has stepped up big time in 2013, winning both the WBC Continental Americas and USBA Junior Middleweight Titles with his victories over Harry Joe Yorgey and Demetrius Hopkins, respectively. Now hoping to keep his unbeaten run intact when he battles the upset-minded Rodriguez, the 23-year-old “Iron Man” promises a performance to remember when he competes in front of the nation on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes.

A versatile veteran who has won five of his last six bouts, 34-year-old Jose Angel Rodriguez (17-2-1, 2 KO’s) is coming off of back-to-back victories over Russell Jordan and Denis Douglin that have him in fine stead heading into the biggest fight of his career against Charlo on Oct. 14. And given his southpaw style and experience, “Silver Boy” can certainly make it a tough night for the hot prospect in Florida.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.thebbtcenter.com,
follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/twincharlo,
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and follow the conversation using #GoldenBoyLive, become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing. For more information on FOX Sports 1 visit www.FOXSports.com/FOXSports1 and become a follower on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@FOXSports @FOXSports1, @FOXSportsPR and @FOXDeportes.

Legendary four weight world champion, Roy Jones Jr, will make his first visit to Scotland on May 8th to discuss his illustrious career and renew ties with Welsh superstar, and former adversary, Joe Calzaghe, in a high profile dinner show.

“I insisted my team get me to Scotland because I’ve never been there,” said Jones. “Over the years I’ve met many of my Scottish fans but unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to fight there, so this reunion with Joe is the next best thing.”

Fans in attendance, at the Dalziel Country Club in Motherwell, will be privileged to witness this historic occasion in which two of the finest fighters in boxing history meet for the first time since their famous world title bout which took place at Madison Square Garden on November 8th 2008.

On that night Calzaghe survived a first round knockdown to secure a unanimous decision victory and both men left the ring with mutual respect following twelve torrid rounds.

“Joe and I made that fight on a gentleman’s agreement and it was a superb promotion,” remarked Jones. “We saw a lot of each other during the build-up but there was no reason to talk trash because the event sold itself.”

Jones was selected as “Fighter of the Decade”, by the Boxing Writers Association of America, following an astonishing run of dominant victories through the 1990’s. He was also unanimously regarded as the best pound for pound fighter on the planet for the best part of ten years.

A student of the game, the former champion has also kept an eye on Scotland’s premier exponent; “I have seen Ricky Burns fight and I like what he does. He is one of the best lightweights in the world – no doubt about that.”

GM Promotions proudly present “An Evening with Joe Calzaghe and Roy Jones Jnr” at Dalziel Park Hotel & Golf Club, 100 Hagen Drive, Motherwell, ML1 5RZ.

Tickets start from £100 for general admission and Platinum VIP tickets are £125, which includes a photo and a three course meal. There will also be an auction of fantastic sporting memorabilia.

For further details about the show visit www.gmpromotions.org.uk, on twitter @GM_Promotions or by calling 01698 209190.

Former two weight world champion Joe Calzaghe has revealed he is coming back to Scotland on May 8th for a dinner show in which he will take centre stage with former opponent Roy Jones Jnr which both fighters will discuss there careers and answer questions from the crowd. This will be the first time both fighters have come face to face since there fight in November 2013, and will be the only opportunity to see them both on the same dinner show in the UK this year.

After a successful career, in which he racked up a mammoth 46 wins in both the Super Middleweight and Light Heavyweight division Calzaghe’s only professional fight in Scotland came with a points victory over Kabary Salem in October 2004.

Although he racked up a points win, he does regret not fighting in Scotland more “As a professional you have to be prepared to travel to fight sometimes, and my career gave me some mammoth nights to fighting Bernard Hopkins in Las Vegas to beating Mikkel Kessler in the Millennium Stadium, but I do regret not fighting up in Scotland more

He adds “While my fight against Salem wasn’t maybe the most high profile of opponents, the Scottish crowd got behind me and gave me a good backing” Laughing he adds “They took to me as if I was one of there own.

Looking forward to coming back to Scotland, and sharing a table as opposed to a ring with Roy Jones Jnr, the ‘Pride of Wales’ explains why he is looking forward to hearing him discuss his career “As a fighter Roy (Jones Jnr) done it all, he was a multiple world champion- even went to Heavyweight to beat John Ruiz to lift that belt. He used to fight under the alias ‘Superman’ and when you see what he achieved you can see why he was called that. He is definitely one of the best fighters of the last few decades, and it was a pleasure to share the ring with him.

GM Promotions proudly present “An Evening with Joe Calzaghe and Roy Jones Jnr”, in which both legends will share the stage for the first time since there fight in 2008, at Dalziel Park Hotel & Golf Club, 100 Hagen Drive, Motherwell on May 8th.

Tickets start from £100 for general admission and Platinum VIP tickets are £125, which includes a photo and a three course meal.

Tickets and further details are available from www.gmpromotions.org.uk or on twitter @GM_Promotions or by calling 01698 209190

Former pound for pound king Roy Jones Jr. will take on Dawid Kostecki in Poland on June 30th according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“Roy has set his goal to win the cruiserweight title. That is his new thing,” said Square Ring CEO John Wirt . “He wants to win the cruiserweight title, and with Wlodarczyk not available right now because he has to fight Palacios again, he wanted to stay active. And now Poland has pay-per-view and Roy is a huge star here. His fights were all shown here for many, many years, so he is one of the few big American stars here. There’s a market here and Kostecki is a pretty big fighter here too. So this fight, knock on wood, should do very well on pay-per-view here. So that’s what we’re doing.”

“If this fight does well on pay-per-view in Poland and Roy wins, and if Wlodarczyk beats Palacios again, there is a possibility we could come back here and Roy could challenge him for the title. His goal is to win the cruiserweight title. It’s the only belt he hasn’t won (from middleweight to heavyweight).”

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that former pound for pound king Roy Jones Jr. will continue his now floundering career when he takes on Max Alexander on December 10th in Atlanta.

“Roy is going to do a little tuneup fight, get back in the ring and see how he feels,” said Mcgee Wright who advises Jones. “He’s been training for the fight for about six weeks already.”

“I think Roy just doesn’t want to go out on a loss,” Wright said. “He wants to see how he feels and see if he wants to go any further. With Lebedev, he was in the fight until the last 10 seconds and Lebedev is the No. 1 contender. It ain’t like Roy can’t compete.”

“We sent him to the Mayo Clinic and he got a clean bill of health,” Wright said. “Had a full physical, everything they do, and they said he was fit to fight, perfect condition. We wanted to see if he was able to fight, or if he had anything wrong with him, and they said no.”

Wright’s view of the match for Jones is simple.

“If you can’t beat him, you need to stop,” he said.

It was a major surprise late last year when it was announced that Glen Johnson 51-14-2(35) would be a late addition to the Super Six, his inclusion only came because other fighters fell out of the tournament through various injury’s. He scored a dominant win over Allen Green to progress to the Semi Finals where he will now meet Carl Froch for the Englishman’s WBC Super Middleweight title. He’ll be the underdog, but that’s nothing new to the affable Jamaican, it’s a role he’s used to and relishes the chance to shock the world again. He started his career brightly back in 1993 going an impressive 32-0(22) before he ran into a certain Bernard Hopkins and unsuccessfully challenged for Hopkins Middleweight title. After that setback he slipped into journeyman status going 7-8-1 before getting a shot at the Vacant IBF Light Heavyweight title in England against Clinton Woods. Though many believed he should of won it was declared a draw. He returned 3 months later to right the previous wrong and set up for a clash with Roy Jones Jnr. Many believed he was just cannon fodder against the unworldly talented Jones. However he shocked everyone by dominating Jones before knocking the great man out. He parlayed that win with a victory over Antonio Tarver to become The Ring magazine’s 2004 Fighter of the year. Since then he’s lost a few but only to the best whilst beating everyone else, he’s given young guns like Chad Dawson & Tavoris Cloud hell before losing decisions. When the 42 year old “Road Warrior” was offered the spot in the Super Six he jumped at it and see’s it as a new way to prove himself. Here’s what the humble Jamaican had to say.

Hello Glen, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – You have the semi finals of the Super Six coming up with Carl Froch on 4 June in Atlantic City. What are your thoughts on that fight?

Glen Johnson – You know obviously the fights going to be a tremendous fight; it’s going to be a great fight. Carl Froch is a real fighter and the world already knows I am a good fighter. So we’re going to give the fans their money’s worth.

Anson Wainwright – What do you think of Froch?

Glen Johnson – Well he’s a good fighter. He fought a couple of fights I saw him in. He fights on the inside and brawls. The last fight (against Arthur Abraham) he kept his distance used his jabs. He’s an excellent brawler and he’s also an excellent boxer, so we prepare for both things. He’s coming to fight a good fight and I’m going to be ready to fight back.

Anson Wainwright – How easily do you make 168? Before the Allen Green fight it had been 10 years since you were that low in weight.

Glen Johnson – The big challenge was making it for Allen Green but I already made that weight and I did it at short notice and it wasn’t difficult it was easier than I thought. With this fight I had plenty of notice. I’m already on my weight now a month from the fight.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us how the deal came about to enter the Super 6?

Glen Johnson – A couple of people got hurt. I believe (Mikkel) Kessler got hurt and they needed a replacement for Kessler & then Andre Dirrell got hurt and they needed a replacement for Dirrell so I believe I replaced Kessler because of the eye and then I needed to knock out Allen Green to make it into the Super Six semi finals just winning wasn’t going to be good enough and when Dirrell got hurt all I needed was just a win but I needed up knocking out Allen Green anyway. So even If I needed a knock out I’d of stayed in.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team; who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also where do you regularly train for fights?

Glen Johnson – My manager is Henry Foster, my trainer is Orlando Cuellar and my promoter is Warriors Promotions run by Leon Margules and also Di Bella Entertainment there partners on the promotional deal. I live in Miami and train in Miami, I don’t really go anywhere. I keep my training camp here in Miami.

Anson Wainwright – You’re now 42, what do you think are the main reason’s why you have been so successful at an advanced age for a Boxer?

Glen Johnson – I really don’t know, I could be the fact that clean living, genetics or it could be the fact that I work hard and that I take care of myself or it could be a combination of both but whatever it is I’m not questioning it. I’m not changing anything.

Anson Wainwright – How much longer do you think you can keep performing at the highest level?

Glen Johnson – You know hopefully we can find out I don’t make plans.

Anson Wainwright – Who do you think is the best fighter you have fought in your career?

Glen Johnson – The best fighter I fought was Bernard Hopkins. You know when I fought against Bernard Hopkins we were at two different levels. He was great and I didn’t feel like I knew what was going on, the guy was superior to my level at that time. Nobody has ever got in the ring with me that made me feel the way Bernard Hopkins made me feel, he just made me feel I couldn’t win. Nobody else ever made me feel like that when I’m in the fight. Bernard Hopkins let me know right off the bat from the first round that I had no chance of winning the fight.

Anson Wainwright – What is your best win in you opinion?

Glen Johnson – The Roy Jones fight that was the most popular. I would go with that fight but I would say the fight that meant most to me was the fight is Clinton Woods because that’s when I won my championship and that’s the fight that set up the Roy Jones fight was winning the fight, without winning the championship I’d not of boxed Roy Jones. Winning the IBF title meant the most to me but guess the most popular was the Roy Jones fight.

Anson Wainwright – Many years ago you were scheduled to fight Joe Calzaghe but for various reasons the fight never happened. Why was this from your point of view? What did you think of Calzaghe?

Glen Johnson – I just believe Joe Calzaghe was scared of me. I don’t see no other reason for the fight not to happen. We scheduled the fight 3 times and 3 times it didn’t happen and he had an excuse why the fight didn’t happen. What else is there to say. Maybe he could answer it different but that’s from my side.

Anson Wainwright – Tell us about growing up in Jamaica? How were things for your growing up there? Also how did you first become interested and take up Boxing?

Glen Johnson – Growing up in Jamaica was great for me. I enjoyed my childhood. I had a lot of fun as a kid. I had loving & caring people taking care of me, I had great friends and stuff around and I enjoyed their company. It was a great time for me. I love swimming and did a lot of that when I was on the Island. It was a typical childhood, I just grew up enjoying my surroundings. It was a wonderful time.

Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do when you’re not Boxing? What are your hobbies and Interests?

Glen Johnson – My hobbies…You know I don’t know if you can write what I like to do outside of Boxing as my hobbies! Haha But yeah spend time with my wife, lets put it like that! Haha

Anson Wainwright – Not to close to fight!

Glen Johnson – No, not at fight time. Outside of fight time it’s my favourite hobby!

Anson Wainwright – How did you start Boxing?

Glen Johnson – I started Boxing because I was overweight at age 20. I started to get overweight I had a lot of overweight people in my family and didn’t want to end up overweight so I started looking around for a gym to work out. They opened a gym in my community. If you lived in the area it was free and free fitted my budget so I went in and started working out, just exercising and the coach took a liking to me and started to teach me the technique of Boxing. He asked me if I wanted to star amateur Boxing and I said “Yeah” so we took if from there. 3 years later we turned pro.

Anson Wainwright – What are your thoughts on the other semi final of the Super Six? Presumably you’ll be following that Ward-Abraham?

Glen Johnson – Oh yeah definitely. I’ll certainly have Interest in that fight, I’m looking to fight the winner. I’m looking to win my fight so I’ll be looking to see who I’ll end fighting. I think it’s a good fight, people aren’t giving Abraham much of chance but I think it’s a tough fight for Ward because of Abraham’s style. I believe Abraham will get off a lot easier than he was with Froch. Froch stayed on the outside away from him, Ward’s not that type of guy. He’s faster, he moves his hands faster (Ward) but I give (Abraham) a chance, a lot of people don’t. I think it’ll be a good fight.

Anson Wainwright – Do you still consider yourself part of the Light Heavyweight division?

Glen Johnson – Not right now, I see myself as a Super Middleweight right now. I don’t think I’ll go back to the Light Heavyweight division there’s nothing in the Light Heavyweight division for me. One of the reason’s I was hanging around the Light Heavyweight division was hoping the guys from the Super Middleweight division would come up. But I came down so there’s no reason for me to. I already fought everyone at Light Heavyweight, there’s nobody else to fight. The Super Middleweight division has a lot of opportunities, a lot of great fighters are here. A lot of fighters I’ve never fought, It’s opened up a fresh chapter and great fights for the fans. I’m looking forward to the future in the weight class.

Anson Wainwright – After the Hopkins fight you lost several fights that many people believe you should of won. What are your thoughts on that?

Glen Johnson – You know for me even though the consensus is I was robbed and I didn’t get the decisions you know I didn’t let it take control of me. For me it was a motivating factor. Even though these fighters couldn’t beat me inside the ring, they had people outside the ring (the judges) beat me. They didn’t because they didn’t have the talent in the the ring to beat me. That was the thing for me it was a whole different factor. I kept my spirits up. Probably if I won that fight I probably wouldn’t of had that drive. It made me tough and more mentally prepared for the future.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans ahead of the Froch fight?

Glen Johnson – Of course, the message to my fans is their the greatest fans in the world. Most people want to jump on bandwagons of guys who are undefeated and obviously if you look around I’m far from that. So the fans that I have I cherish them. There real Boxing fans, they know what their looking at and seeing and I appreciate that. I get support around the world. So thanks for that.

Thanks for taking time out to speak to us Glen.

Thanks, I appreciate you taking time to Interview me.

Anson Wainwright

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, one-time pound for pound king and now faded legend Roy Jones Jr. will travel to Moscow, Russia to take on former world cruiserweight title challenger Denis Lebedev on May 22nd.

On Thursday evening, Jones signed on to face rugged cruiserweight contender Denis Lebedev on May 22 in Moscow, John Wirt, CEO of Jones’ Square Ring promotional company, told ESPN.com.

Wirt said the fight, scheduled for 10 rounds, will take place at cruiserweight limit of 200 pounds.

“I actually think he beat Huck and got ripped off in Germany,” Wirt said. “I think he’s the legitimate WBO cruiserweight champion and he is one of the toughest opponents in the division.”

“I do believe the weight is to Roy’s advantage,” Wirt said. “Roy has had a lot of trouble getting down to 175 pounds in the last few fights. He was so dried out for the Hopkins fight and I think that showed in his performance.”

“We didn’t budge and they came to our number and when they did, we signed,” he said.

“We had some different things on the table. We had an offer in Canada, something in the U.S., but this was a unique opportunity,” Wirt said. “How many big fights have been in Russia? That was kind of a neat aspect that was intriguing about this. Roy has no problem and no issue with going to Russia. He is not concerned about fighting over there. We’ll have fair judges and a fair referee. We’ve already been in contact with the Russian federation to make sure we know all the rules.”

15rounds.com Claudia Bocanegra was on hand at The Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey to capture the images on Zab Judah’s split decision victory over Lucas Matthysee. Plus see photos of the undercard and press conference as well as ring legend at HBO Broadcaster Roy Jones Jr.

Roy Jones Jr. cruiserweight debut scheduled for October 7th against Danny Santiago has been postponed due to a hand injury according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“Roy’s manager, McGee Wright, informed me [Wednesday] that Roy injured his left hand while sparring on Saturday and that on Monday, he went to the doctor and X-rays were taken,” said John Wirt, CEO of Square Ring Promotions. “While the X-rays do not show a fracture, his hand is swollen and continues to bother him to such an extent that we have no choice but to postpone the fight.”

“At this point, we are planning on rescheduling the fight and will make an announcement regarding the new date as soon as possible,” Wirt said.

It took seventeen years for the rematch but when it finally occurred, Bernard Hopkins won a twelve round unanimous decision over Roy Jones Jr. in a strange at times Light Heavyweight bout at The Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

After walking out accompanied by his oown vocalist singing a boxing-themed version or I Did It My Way, Bernard Hopkins was in vintage regala donning his old school executioner mask perhaps in an attempt to intimidate Roy Jones Jr. Nevertheless, both fighters seemed ready to pounce but would not throw. Like two coiled snakes, the first round was a lot of fainting and posturing. The second, third, and fourth rounds were all similar to each other. Hopkins would spring in with a combo and tie up Roy at the end of his combo. Roy Jones simply was not active enough, not throwing many punches. Jones seemed to come alive in the fifth when he landed his best and perhaps only combo of the fight. Thus far, the fifth was Jones’ best round. Round six seemed to be an even round, both fighters had about the same level of effectivness but near the end of the round, Jones blantantly punched Hopkins in the back of the head, sending Hopkins to the canvas, sprawling in pain. The referee subsequently deducted a point away from Jones.

This fired up both fighters as they fought viciously for the last 10 seconds of the fight and even after the bell, causing chaos and members of Jones’ camp to run into the ring. Order was restored and the seventh round picked up where the last one ended. Towards the middle of the round, both fighters seemed to calm down and the chess match resumed. In round 8, Jones landed another illegal blow to the back of the head, sending Hopkins down for a short time, no point was deducted, but like before, this fired up Hopkins and he attacked Jones. In the ninth, both fighters seemed to tighten up and become hesistant to engage.

More controversy in the tenth round, Jones landed a blow which appeared to hit the belt line, but Hopkins dropped to the canvas wincing in pain. Hopkins sprung back up to his feet but was visibly tired as his output dropped noticeably. At the start of round 11, Jones finally wised up and gave

Hopkins a taste of his own medicine. Hopkins had been leading with his head the entire fight so Roy walked away and took a few seconds off due to the butt. The round, however, was mostly dominated by Hopkins

The 12th and final round, saw Hopkins charge out and land two body shorts before Jones threw any punches. The round may have went to Jones being that he lets his hands go, but the fight was fairly one sided. The judges had the fight 117-110, 117-110, 118-109 all to the winner Bernard Hopkins. Hopkins improves his hall of fame record to 51-5-1 with 32KO’s while Jones’ added his sixth loss to his stellar career to go along with 55 wins with 40 by KO. Jones’ better days are clearly behind him, but tonight he showed flashes of his old brilliance (by karen). Whats next for Hopkins, maybe more acting classes! But cagey veterans make cagey moves and Hopkinds used it to his advantage to ensure a victory.

In the co-main event, Jason Litzau met Texas native Rocky Juarez in the NABF Super Featherweight Title bout. Litzau showed tremendous footwork early as he danced around and picked off Rocky as he was coming in. As the fight progressed into the 6th and 7th rounds, Litzau seemed to tire which in turn made him stand and trade more, not a good idea. Juarez had a chance to land big shots and that he did. In the 7th round, Juarez came in with his head and clashed with Litzau face causing a huge gash. Between rounds, the Litzau camp decided they could not continue so the fight would be decided on the scorecards. One judge saw it 68-85 while the other two had it 67-66 all in favor of the champion Jason Litzau. He improves to 27-2 with 21KOS while Jaurez drops to 28-5-1.

Seeing his first action in nearly two years, Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora, from Contender fame, met a game Calvin Green in a super middleweight battle. The first two rounds were action packed with Mora bein cut on the side of his nose by a left hook in the 1st round. Both of the fighters seemed to tire quickly which resulted in a lot of in fighting. Mora showed a different side of his skills by moving and punching WITH POWER from angles. The tactic worked and as the punches accumulated the referee saw no reason to let the fight go on. So at 1:50 in round 7, the fight was stopped. This is only Sergio’s 6 win by KO/TKO in his 24 fights, but he improves his record to 22-1-1 with 6KO’s. Green drops to 21-5-1.

The vacant NABF Light Heavyweight Title was up for grabs when undefeated Ismayl Sillakh met Daniel Judah in a scheduled 10 rounder. However the bout didn’t make it that far. Sillakh dropped Judah with a vicious hook to the body followed by a right to the head. Judah rose, only to be knocked down again by a left hook to the head. The ref Vic Drakulich stopped the fight at :49 in the second round. Sillakh improves to 12-0 with 11KO’s while Judah dropped to 23-5-1.

The next bout was for the USNBC Super Lightweight title featuring Ray Narh versus Angel Hernandez. The much taller Narh pressed Hernandez and landed huge shots which resulted in three knockdowns in the second round. Hernandez failed to get up and the referee stopped the fight at 2:59 of the second round. Taking the title and improving his record to 24-1 with 21KO’s was Narh while Hernandez dropped to 14-5.

In the pro debut of what many people feel is the next “Golden Boy”, Frankie Gomes of East Los Angeles battled Clavonne Howard in a junior welterweight battle. Gomes impressed the crowd as he stalked Howard around the ring for three rounds until referee Joe Cortez stopped the fight at 2:45 of the 3rd round after Howard was caught with some big shots. Howard drops to 2-4.

In a battle between super featherweights, Yaundale Evans kept his record clean as he dropped Juan Baltierrez at 2:08 in the second round with a right hook to the temple. Evans is now 6-0 with 4KO’s while Baltierez drops to 2-2-2 with only 1KO.

The second bout was a super middleweight battle between Buddy McGirt Jr and John Mackey. Mackey proved to be no match as he was dropped in the second round from a perfect right hook that landed on his chin at 2:58. McGirt improves to 22-2-1 with 11KO’s while Mackey dropped to 11-5-2.

In the first bout of the evening, Craig McEwan retained his undefeated middleweight record as he improved to 18-0 with 10KO’s. McEwan controlled the action from opening bell against the over matched Kris Andrews from Canada. Landing big shot after big shot, referee Joe Cortez finally stopped the fight in the 8th and final round at the time of 2:11. Andrews dropped to 15-9-2 with 4KO’s.

POST FIGHT QUOTES

RICHARD SCHAEFER, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions

“Hopkins was taken to the Southern Hills Hospital for observation immediately following the fight.

“It was a great victory for Bernard Hopkins. Seventeen years in the making. He got the win, the victory he waited for. A lot of people counted Roy out. Roy came to fight and I want to congratulate him for that.”

JOHN WIRT, CEO of Square Ring, Inc.

“Roy is going to the hospital as well. In terms of this fight, it was obviously a longstanding rivalry between two legends of our generation. It is up to Roy. I am sure he will be making that decision down the road in terms of what he wants to do with his career.”

BERNARD HOPKINS VS. ROY JONES JR.

BERNARD HOPKINS

“It was kind of rough. He’s a warrior. He’s a veteran and a good fighter. I see spots. I have been hit in the back of the head before, but in the gym with head gear on. I was toughing it out. I was seeing spots in the sixth round.

“I felt I got hit in the back of the head and my legs went and I started seeing spots. I was mad. Weeks did a helluva job. He was doing the best he could to keep us both under control.

“I wanted to keep pressing. I’m a scrappy fighter. I might not be flashy. I might not be pretty, but I am a hard core Philadelphia fighter and blue collar worker like most Americans.

“The rematch was well worth it. It was sweet revenge for me.

“I want David Haye, the heavyweight champion of the world.”

ROY JONES JR.

“Ifeel great. Even at my age I’m still in control. I want to thank god for as healthy as I am today. Pensacola in the house. Thank all I my fans for their support. I kind of got behind. I was trying to knock him out because I was behind. He is a very crafty veteran. He was hitting me behind the head.

“I was worried the first time. I knew if I was fouled too much I would have been disqualified. I wanted to give the fans what they wanted. I tried to do that tonight.”

JASON LITZAU VS. ROCKY JUAREZ

JASON LITZAU

“This is the biggest victory of my career. Rocky is a true champion. I want to thank Square Ring and Golden Boy for this opportunity. Me and Rocky gave them a helluva show. I felt like I had another 10 rounds in me. I was so calm. I was relaxed on the inside. I was going to turn it up in the later rounds. I knew Rocky was coming. I was going to turn it up in the later rounds.”

ROCKY JUAREZ

“I felt the cut was the result of a punch, not an accidental head butt. The cut was by a short left hook. By saying it was an accidental head butt, I was disappointed. I love Jason. We know each other. I am one of the best fighters in the world.

“I felt that the decision was bull. I was going to stop him at the end of the night. We never collided heads. I made sure of it. Jason knew he was going to get knocked out towards the end of the fight.

“I do not consider this losing. I did not lose this fight. I felt that this fight was taken from me. I would like a rematch. Jason should give me that rematch because he knows it was a punch. The cut was underneath his eye. Jason just backed out.”

SERGIO MORA VS. CALVIN GREEN

SERGIO MORA

“It is great to be victorious. The rust was certainly there. 19 months out of the ring took its toll. That will happen. I started really slow. By the third round I felt more like the Latin snake. By the fourth and fifth round, I got it under control. He was always trying to counter. I gave him some good body shots. He can really take a punch. I mixed it up pretty good. I am back. I am with a good promoter now, Golden Boy. I am back.

“This guy came in at the last minute. I couldn’t find any tapes on him.

I knew he was gonna be tough. I had never seen him.

“The cut didn’t bother me. I’m used to cuts. I’m used to getting lacerated.

“It took two rounds for me to get the rust off, but I was so motivated and I just want to get back in there.

“You are going to see a lot more because I am hungry. I am ready to fight the best. I am glad I got the rust off.

“I want to fight the best. Let me get another fight. I will let Richard Schaefer get me another opponent ASAP and then I will be ready.”

ISMAYL SILLAKH VS. DANIEL JUDAH

ISMAEL SILLAKH

“I respect Bernard Hopkins, but if I fought him, I would beat him.

“I am ready for a world title right now because I trained hard. I train every day twice a day. I am ready. It is my time.”

Roy Jones Jr -V- Bernard Hopkins
175* 175

Rocky Juarez -V- Jason Litzau
129 130

Sergio Mora -V- Calvin Green
161 161

Ishmayl Sillakh -V- Daniel Judah
175 175

*Jones Jr was initially 0.5 over but stripped naked and weighted exactly 175.

It’s easy to be outraged. It’s easy to be sad. It’s even easy not to care at all. But nothing will be easy Saturday night for Alton Merkerson, whom Roy Jones Jr. calls “coach” with the kind of affection a kid has for mom and dad.

Other than the piece of square canvas that Jones and Bernard Hopkins will contest, no spot at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas figures to be as difficult as the corner Merkerson will occupy.

Concern for Jones, more than confidence in his chances, has been the flashing red light, the warning sign, throughout talk preceding a rematch of a 1993 fight. Merkerson has heard it, acknowledges it and repeats it.

“My concern is the same concern that everybody else has,’’ said Merkerson, whose 22-year-old friendship with Jones started when he as an assistant U.S. Olympic coach at the infamous Seoul Games in 1988 when Jones was robbed of a gold medal.

Despite acquiring a Nevada license after passing a battery of tests that included a brain scan, the 41-year-old Jones steps through the ropes against the older, yet-seemingly ageless Hopkins, 45, stamped with anecdotal evidence that he is damaged enough to be in serious peril.

The medical tests have been criticized on at least two fronts:

· Either they failed to account for three stoppages in six years that indicate Jones has lost the reflexes he needs to defend himself.

· Or, they have been diagnosed as business as usual. To wit: Las Vegas’ struggling casino industry needs the action.

Whether it’s one or both or none of the above, the controversy has shifted the focus onto whether Jones should be fighting at all in the rematch of a forgotten bout, a Jones victory that happened when Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. were teenagers.

The talk might prove to be a timely diversion for Jones, who has promised to knock out the heavily-favored Hopkins in what would be an upset and a role reversal. Instead of Jones, the worry would be for Hopkins. On a night not long after April Fools Day and a few hours before Easter, it’s hard to say what will happen. But the controversy is a certainty and it raises questions about whether it will influence Merkerson and perhaps referee Tony Weeks.

At the first sight of trouble, will Merkerson be quick to throw in the towel? Or Weeks quick to stop it?

Merkerson’s loyalty for Jones is as evident as it is admirable. Some trainers express their concern for a fighter in apparent decline by leaving the corner altogether. But Merkerson is always there for Jones, almost like a concerned parent.

“Yes, it’s getting close to the time where Bernard and Roy are going to give this thing up because you can’t do it forever,” Merkerson said in a conference call. “But right now, from a medical standpoint, he’s fine. I stick with Roy, and I’ve been with him for 20 years, and I’m going to continue to be with him.

“I’m not afraid to stop a fight. If in fact he was getting punished and didn’t get caught with one shot clean, I would stop the fight, and that’s what another young, inexperienced trainer probably wouldn’t do just to worry about their credibility and what people say about them. But it’s not going to be long before we give it up and do some other things, but Roy is fine right now.”

Right now is just one punch from forever wrong, however

That’s true for anybody who answers an opening bell, not just Jones or Hopkins or some other forty-something fighter. The repeated concern for Jones is that age has turned his reflexes into stone. He has become a stationary target for that disabling blow. For years, he fought with his hands down, yet his instincts, anticipation and unrivalled speed kept dancing in, out and always mere inches from harm. Through 12 rounds, the only sure bet is that those hands will fall and leave him defenseless.

Quickness might vanish, but habits rarely do.

Jones argues that Australian Danny Green’s hands were wrapped illegally before Jones suffered a first-round stoppage last December. Maybe, they were. But Jones’ protest misses the point the way punches missed him so long ago. Alter or unaltered, the relatively-unknown Green quickly and easily hit somebody that nobody could a decade ago.

Worried? You bet. There is no easy way out of that. In the end, Merkerson might be Jones’ only defense.

NOTES, ANECDOTES
· There was only one class act last Saturday in another stage of the super-middleweight tournament. It was delivered by Andre Dirrell, who was accused of acting when a desperate Arthur Abraham teed off with shot to the jaw with Dirrell on one knee after slipping on ice in Abraham’s corner. A disqualification of Abraham resulted in a victory for Dirrell, who was leading on the scorecards. The DQ was incomplete. Abraham should have been suspended. Now, it looks as if Dirrell will fight Andrew Ward, his 2004 Olympic teammate. Ward-Dirrell would re-ignite interest in the on-again, off-again tournament.

· Jose Benavidez Jr., a junior-welter-weight prospect from Phoenix, has an opponent for his fourth pro fight on April 10 at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas on a Top Rank card televised by Fox Sports Espanol. Expect Benavidez to go 4-0 against Scott Paul (5-4) of Ontario, Canada. The 17-year old Benavidez turns 18 on May 15.

· Is there an AARP convention scheduled for Las Vegas next week? Eight days after Jones-Hopkins, 47-year-old Evander Holyfield is scheduled to fight 41-year-old Francois Botha at Thomas & Mack Center. That adds up to two main events with an average age of 43-plus years.

After the initial introduction and proceedings both fighters took there turns at the dais. Jones Jnr now 41, vowed to repeat history and once again come out victorious. Commenting “I guess he is what they call my rival I don’t like it, but it is what it is, Saturday I am going to clear that up.”

For his part Hopkins maintained that Jones Jnr had run from him for 17 long years and now he will finally get the win over his old rival. At one point Hopkins in keeping with it being Easter weekend gave Jones an Easter bunny complete with Easter eggs playfully adding “He has been running like a rabbit for 17 years” Things ended dramatically when Hopkins said to Alton Merkerson (Jones Trainer) along the assembled media and fans “It is going to be up to Merkerson whether he lives or dies”

Tail of the tape

JONES JNR – V- HOPKINS

Hometown Pensacola, Fl Philadelphia, Pa
Record 54-6(40) 50-5-1(32)
Rounds Boxed 392 406
KO% 66.67 56.14%
Age 41 45
Height 5’11 6’1
Reach 74 75
Nickname The Terminator The Executioner
Titles IBF Middleweight IBF Middleweight
IBF S. Middleweight WBC Middleweight
WBC Lt Heavyweight WBA Middleweight
WBA Lt Heavyweight WBO Middleweight
IBF Lt Heavyweight
WBA Heavyweight
World title 23-3(15) 20-3-1(13) 1 No Contest
Record

Much has been said a made of two guys in the early 40’s with a combined age of 86 squaring off 17 years after there original fight. However there is still a certain intrigue as to what will happen between these two guys who appear destined to be linked forever in history like Ali-Frazier, Leonard-Hearns & Ward-Gatti etc

The odds with the Bookies have Hopkins a big favourite at -575 while Jones Jnr is +375.

Tickets are still available ranging from $750 down to $100. Also worth noting is that while it will be on HBO PPV live Saturday it will not be repeated the following week.

It is fascinating to listen to Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. They might not belong on a pound-for-pound list these days, but word-for-word they could challenge Charles Barkley. In the interview game, Hopkins and Jones are as good as anybody.

They provided an insightful double-feature a couple of days ago in a conference call about an April 3 fight. Their rematch at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay has generated everything from outrage to concern. The mixed response from media and fans is at least predictable and perhaps inevitable whenever legends closer to Hall of Fame induction than their primes prepare to fight.

A couple of examples:

Jones, as wise as he once was quick, acknowledged he is aware of fears some have for his well-being.

“I take my hat off to them,’’ said Jones, 41, who has been stopped three times in the last six years. “I thank them for being concerned about me, because that’s a great thing.’’

Then, there was Hopkins, funny, controversial and just as wise.

“This is not some clown reality-show where two wrestlers, two boxers, two old entertainers, two old singers square off,’’ said Hopkins, 45, who is favored to avenge a 1993 loss by decision to Jones. “This is the real deal.’’

I suspect the call will prove to be better than the fight.

It also is important for a lesson left unsaid, yet current and perilous if ignored by the best-and brightest in today’s generation. I hope Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr., were – are — listening. The Jones-Hopkins rematch should have happened a decade ago. Pacquiao-Mayweather should have happened on March 13.

For each should-have, the circumstances are different. But Jones and Hopkins can’t redo the specifics — an unresolved dispute over money – that led to a breakdown of a rich, relevant rematch that might have led to another.

“I was the undisputed middleweight and he was the undisputed light-heavyweight,’’ Hopkins said. “It would have been great.’’

It could have been one or two for the books.

But Hopkins, Jones and the sport were robbed of that opportunity by financial percentages that today are forgettable, if not petty. The real loss, perhaps, was in a percentage of fans. Nobody remembers the first fight on a dreary night at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. on the undercard of a main event featuring a Riddick Bowe stoppage of Jesse Ferguson.

“I still remember Larry Merchant saying that if the wind wasn’t blowing in the stadium, everybody would have gone to sleep,’’ Hopkins said.

Many of them did during the years when Jones and Hopkins matured into the best of their trade. Nearly 10 years ago, they were the fight the public wanted, yet didn’t get. It would have been a rematch only in name. In fact, it would have been an awakening for a public and media increasingly turned off by boxing.

Since then, the sport has repeatedly attempted to resurrect itself. There are promising signs, but the state of the game returns to the critical list if Pacquiao-Mayweather follows the path of the Hopkins-Jones rematch.

Throughout the conference call Wednesday, I couldn’t help but imagine another call, 10 years from now, with Mayweather and Pacquiao, both forty-something and both trying to sell their first fight in 2020 with awkward explanations about why they didn’t fight in 2010.

The issue has been Mayweather’s demand and Pacquiao rejection of Olympic-style drug testing. In a few months, it might be about money, especially if Mayweather beats Shane Mosley on May 1 in front of a bigger pay-per-view audience than the announced 700,000 for Pacquiao’s victory over Joshua Clottey.

There are projections of three million for Mayweather-Mosley. Even if it is half of that at 1.5 million, Mayweather could return to the bargaining table with an argument that he deserves the lion’s share, instead of the 50-50 which had been agreed upon before talks broke down over random blood tests.

Ten years from now, that and who-knows-what-else could be hard to explain. But the lesson is there, thanks to Hopkins and Jones, whose fight is all about timing. It’s the wrong time for them, but still the right one for Pacquiao and Mayweather.

NOTES, QUOTES
· Andre Dirrell might be poised for stardom. He has tough challenge in the super-middleweight tournament Saturday against Arthur Abraham on Showtime. But Dirrell, who grew up in Flint, Mich., will have a hometown crowd and plenty of motivation against the rugged Abraham in Detroit. Dirrell, who is anxious to prove he was robbed by a decision in a loss to Carl Froch in his last outing, is versatile enough to upset Abraham.

· The annual Celebrity Fight Night, Muhammad Ali’s fund-raiser for research in the battle against Parkinson’s, raised $5 million Saturday night in Phoenix. In 16 years, the event has raised $65 million.

· Top Rank is keeping Jose Benavidez, a 17-year-old junior-welterweight from Phoenix, busy. After pushing his record to 3-0 in Dallas on March 12 — the night before Pacquiao’s victory over Clottey at Cowboys Stadium, Benavidez is scheduled for a fight on April 10 against an undetermined opponent at The Hard Rock in Las Vegas.
· And as a Golden Boy partner, Hopkins is also a promoter, but he didn’t have anything to do with the promotional label for the fight with Jones. It’s called The Rivals. “I would have named it Personal,’’ said Hopkins, who says his anger for Jones is real.

It has been 17 years in the making, but the feeling and the fire still burns deep…at least in the heart of The Executioner, Bernard Hopkins. When Hopkins met Roy Jones Jr back in 1993, and 15 pounds lighter, for the middleweight title, this was the match that would catapult the winners career into the prominent position that is seeked by all fighters. This was true to form, Roy Jones Jr, went on to dominate over the next 10 plus years, being named the Ring Magazine fighter of the decade of the ’90’s. Meanwhile, Bernard took a roundabout way to gain the recognition that he’s always wanted. Bernard went on to win a record 20 straight battles at middleweight and with his win over then champion Kelly Pavlik, seems to have found the fountain of youth while making top 5 on most pound for pound lists today. It is still very evident that Bernard wants this win to put another bow around what is a sure fire hall of fame career. “Roy has been avoiding me for 17 years now, he is afraid that I now know his game and I know what he can do. he never wanted to give me a rematch because he knew he would lose.” Hopkins went on to say, “This will not be a close match. I expect the best Jones Jr. to face me, but with his diminished skills and speed, I will end his career. This fight will end in a knockout.” Either Jones is a great bluffer or he genuienly believes he will win this fight just like he did the first time around. “He has been jealous of me and my career over the past 17 years and it shows. His anger is what will get him beat in the ring…besides me being the faster, stronger, and more skilled fighter,” Jones stated.

This is a true prize fight in the sense that the winner, (which has to win by either KO or TKO) will win 60 percent of the purse leaving the loser with 40. On April 3rd, in Las Vegas, NV, the rematch that has been nearly 20 years in the making has come to fluition. With the natural disdain and mutual dislike these two have for each other, there is no way this fight can be a snoozer. Is Hopkins too old? Have Jones’ skills left him? The world ill find out in a few months and one will emerge as perhaps the greatest fighter of the past two decades.

QUOTES FROM LOS ANGELES DEBATE FROM

THE RIVALS: HOPKINS VS. JONES II

Bernard Hopkins

“This is 2010. That was 1993. That’s 17 years I’ve been waiting for this fight. It’s personal to me and it’s important to me that I get this man in the ring and that I send him on his way to the Hall of Fame. I want to make sure that the last person he remembers is ‘The Executioner.'”

“You listen to Roy Jones and he says something I agree with. You hate to say it, but we are rivals, and you hate to say it, but it took us 17 years to get here. A lot of other things have happened in our lives in the time it took to get here, but now that it’s here, his worst nightmare has come to pass. Me.”

“This means a lot to me. This means that Roy Jones Jr. is going to have to fight me off him. When you have that mindset, you are going to have to take risks too. Roy Jones Jr. is going to have to fight to not get knocked out or fight to knock me out. That has been the motivation for 17 years.”

“I’d be a fool to think that Roy Jones Jr. is going to train to fight Bernard Hopkins, me, by laying on the beach getting a suntan. I know that that Roy Jones Jr. has something to prove to the world and I know that Roy Jones Jr. is going to come to salvage his career and change the opinion people have of him right now. I never underestimate my opponents, it’s not in my character.”

“This is going to be devastating because that’s the way I want him to remember Bernard Hopkins for the rest of his life. Any time he looks at boxing, he’s going to see that I took him to the point that he doesn’t even like boxing anymore. He won’t even let his kids go to fight anymore. The entire Jones family will leave boxing for good after April 3.”

Roy Jones Jr.

“The fight is a rivalry because as the man just said, we are two legendary future Hall of Famers. We’ve always had a debate about whose career has been the most impressive and April 3 will be the deciding factor.”

“The fight is important because, I hate to say it, but first he is my rival, and I must defeat my rival. Secondly, this is the perfect opportunity and perfect timing. The fans wanted it, and since they?? couldn’t give them the other fight they wanted??, we’re going to give them something else.”

“What I have planned is simple. I will fight to get you off me, or I will fight to knock you out, whichever one comes first. Whichever comes first, that’s what I’ll be doing. I’ll knock you out to get you off me, or go after you and knock you out. It doesn’t matter.”

“The day ‘The Executioner’ will leave the boxing ring is going to be April 3rd.”

“The man’s so jealous of me that he doesn’t even want to see my kids watch the fight. He doesn’t want to see any resemblance of me near a boxing ring because it reminds him of that 17-year nightmare he’s had to face.”

“This is probably going to be win and go home for me, because after I win, they’re going to say I’m beating up old men and I shouldn’t fight anymore.”

Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions

“These are two legends that we all must respect. It’s not one of the best relationships, but now after 17 years we’ve been able to make the fight. The fact that this rivalry is still there shows how much they wanted this fight.”

“Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. are two of the most recognized names in the sport. You’ve got the Tyson’s and Holyfield’s, and then you have the Hopkins’ and Jones’.”

“This fight is so big, that these guys made the front page of the Wall Street Journal. In all my years of fighting, I’ve never even been on the front page of the Wall Street Journal, that shows you how big this fight is.”

John Wirt, CEO of Square Ring Promotions

“There’s so much passion and emotion in this fight. These guys really just plain don’t like each other and you know that’s what a fight is all about. A lot of it’s sport but a lot of it’s just that these two guys don’t like each other.”

Naazim Richardson, Hopkins’ Trainer

“Bernard Hopkins is one of the most well prepared athletes I’ve seen in my entire life, but I know that Roy Jones Jr. is going to show up and be the best Roy Jones you’ve seen in a while.”

Alton Merkerson, Jones’ Trainer

“Both of these gentlemen are very well rounded athletes and this is going to be a very interesting fight. Don’t have any doubt in your mind about whether these men are going to be ready. They are both going to be ready and train hard. On April 3rd it’s going to be a fight.”

# # #

The Rivals: Hopkins vs. Jones II is set for Saturday, April 3 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nev. The event will be broadcast live on pay-per-view beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Tickets priced at $750, $500, $300, $200 and $100 are on sale now at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

The Hopkins vs. Jones II pay-per-view telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and has a suggested retail price of $49.95. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. The main event will begin live immediately following the college basketball semi-finals. For Hopkins vs. Jones II fight week updates, log on to www.goldenboypromotions.com.

An exciting undercard will be announced shortly. For more information regarding the April 3 event, please visit www.goldenboypromotions.com.

Legends Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. met the media in Los Angeles to discuss their long awaited rematch that will take place April 3rd in Las Vegas

I ran out of excuses for Roy Jones Jr. The weight loss, the cut-man, his father, the taping of the hands in Australia. I think we heard every excuse we need at this point. Some nights he shows up and rips apart a B fighter like Lacy, and the next fight he’s dropped by a B- Aussie. What has escaped Roy as he has aged is motivation and a sincere & consistent dedication to a fight plan inside the ring. When he commits himself he still shows us flashes of the speed and power that made him the best fighter of the 1990s. And when he doesn’t commit to a plan, he ends up on his back staring at the bright lights or pointing his finger at everyone in his corner.

Roy Jones is FINISHED!! And with that said, I’m going to tell you exactly why he beats Bernard Hopkins SOUNDLY on April 3rd in Las Vegas, which just happens to be where his original fall from glory took place on May 15, 2004 at the hands of the Magic Man, Antonio Tarver, who has since done a disappearing act of his own.

I’ve spent a lot of time studying Roy Jones Jr. over the past 20 years or so and have spent a lot of time with Roy and his camp as well. I know enough about Roy Jones to write a novel, certainly enough to know that there’s no way he loses this fight. Call it a gut feeling, call it a hunch, but if you want actual reasons, I’ll give it to you. Let’s start with looking at the type of fighters who have successfully defeated Roy Jones Jr.

Antonio Tarver: He happened to catch Roy at the right time and place. Despite what any critics might say, losing 25 lbs of muscle certainly takes its toll on the body. Tarver pressured Roy in their first bout. Roy’s body was not ready to handle what Tarver threw at him, and his reflexes were slow. But he fought valiantly in the championship rounds and eeked out a well-deserved decision over Tarver. Then May 15th came. Tarver caught Roy with a beautiful and flawless left hook that Roy never saw coming. Southpaws with power have always been dangerous fighters, especially to Roy Jones, so quite simply, he just tagged him. Right place, right time, left hook. End of story.

Glenn Johnson: While Johnson is not a notoriously powerful puncher, he stalked Roy Jones Jr. like no fighter I’ve ever seen. Top that off with a solid chin and he was just too much of a challenge for a fighter whose confidence was already shaken after the Tarver knock-out. Stalking fighters with high punch out-puts and a great chin can hurt Roy Jones Jr. See the next fighter……..

Joe Calzaghe: Do I need an excuse for this? He’s a southpaw with a great chin, a ridiculously high punch output who stalks his opponents, oh, and he NEVER LOST to ANYONE, including Bernard Hopkins. I don’t think Roy needed to look at his cut man for this one, he only needed to check the Compubox numbers.

Danny Green: I don’t know what happened that night in Australia. Roy got caught by a hard-punching cruiserweight as he tried to once again re-write boxing history. Looking ahead to B-hop? Time zone difference? Padded hand wraps? No one can be sure. But then again, he wasn’t counted out either, and according to Bernard Hopkins himself, the fight was stopped prematurely, hence why April 3rd is still on.

Describing the type of fighter that can beat Roy Jones doesn’t necessarily tell you why Bernard Hopkins can’t win. So let’s break it down. Speed. Roy has it, Hopkins doesn’t. Look at recent fights. Roy still shows blazing hand speed and superior footwork when compared to Bernard Hopkins. Power. The power of Roy Jones Jr. cannot be questioned. He packed a huge punch at Middleweight and carried it all the way to the Heavyweight Division. Chin. Ok, one checkmark for Hopkins. Experience. I think we can throw ring experience out the window when you’re talking about two future first ballot halls of famers.

Roy Jones Jr. will potshot Bernard Hopkins all night long. Hopkins will not be able to get off more than one punch at a time, and his ring generalship, which includes hooking his opponent’s arm and muscling him at angles where the referee cannot see it, will be a non-factor. Roy will hit him and get out. And when you’re talking Roy Jones Jr., any one of those shots can drop you at any time.

Bernard Hopkins is an old, slow, orthodox fighter with low punch output numbers who lacks one-punch power. He does not have the tools to defeat a 60 year-old Roy Jones Jr. When trying to predict the outcome of a sporting event, it is sometimes best to look at common opponents. I see that on May 22nd, 1993, they fought a common opponent. Roy defeated that guy via easy decision. You can expect the same on April 3, 2010.