Hopkins-Ornelas to be televised by Versus

by Scott Christ on Oct 14, 2009 11:00 PM EDT in Boxing News Analysis

Bernard Hopkins and Enrique Ornelas meet on December 2 in Philadelphia. The Versus Network will televise the bout. (Photo via www.goldenboypromotions.com)

Despite rumors that the Versus Network was pulling back from any involvement with boxing, it looks like Golden Boy Promotions has gotten them pulled back in. In a press release filled with quotes from Bernard Hopkins, Enrique Ornelas and others, it has been made official that Versus will carry the December 2 bout between Hopkins and Ornelas live from Philadelphia.

Hopkins (49-5-1, 32 KO) hasn't fought since a dominant decision win in October 2008 over middleweight champ Kelly Pavlik. Hopkins will be rooting for old rival Roy Jones Jr. to win on the same day, as Jones faces Danny Green in Sydney, Australia. Should both come out of December 2 victorious, they've agreed and signed off on a rematch in the first quarter of 2010. Jones beat Hopkins via unanimous decision way back in 1993.

Hopkins:

"At the end of the day this fight is not about me. It's not about me because I wanted to do something good and bring something good to Philadelphia. I have to win this fight for the big picture. If I come out of this fight with zero balance in my pocket I am good. I am not looking to get Vegas money or Atlantic City money. We got Versus involved. They are expanding into all different cities. They are putting Philly on the map. We are bringing boxing back to Philly. We are giving back to the community."

Ornelas:

"I am looking forward to the fight. I want everyone to know I am going to train my hardest and it is going to be a great night. Thank you to those who spread the word and make sure you let people know that December 2 is going to be a night fight fans won't want to miss. This is the opportunity of a life time and I am going to step it up and go toe-to-toe with Bernard Hopkins."

Hopkins is also donating a lot of money to charity with this card, and Oscar de la Hoya and Golden Boy will match his contributions, too. Bernard needed a tune-up fight, and he's using that tune-up fight not just to get himself sharpened up for Jones, but to give back to Philly. You can't argue with that.

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also according to ol’ dan’s notebook, GBP and Square Ring are trying to get a tape delay of the Roy Jones headline on versus to set up the 2010 grudge match PPV

The Dude Abides

by battle axe of doom on Oct 15, 2009 12:29 AM EDT reply actions

that would be perfect

It’d SO be worth it to avoid the results that day.

Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes

by Scott Christ on Oct 15, 2009 2:52 AM EDT up reply actions

which btw

Be prepared to avoid the Abraham-Taylor results on Saturday, as that fight will air on tape delay in the US.

Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes

by Scott Christ on Oct 15, 2009 2:52 AM EDT up reply actions

I’ve always thought Hopkins as a bit of a dik after the Calzaghe fight and the “il nevver lose to a white boy”, but fair play to him for giving some money to charity

by Sweet science on Oct 15, 2009 8:02 AM EDT reply actions