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Bernard Hopkins: Going Strong, Looking Forward

Bernard Hopkins will have plenty of options in 2010, but what will he want to do? (Photo by Nick Laham / Getty Images)

Bernard Hopkins will have plenty of options in 2010, but what will he want to do? (Photo by Nick Laham / Getty Images)

OK, so Bernard Hopkins' win over a game but overmatched Enrique Ornelas tonight wasn't a head-turner. It wasn't exactly the sort of jaw-dropping, "Whoa!"-inducing performance that we saw from what was supposedly an old Hopkins when he faced and demolished Antonio Tarver in 2006 or Kelly Pavlik in 2008.

But Hopkins showed no real signs of age truly catching up to him against Ornelas, as he walked through Ornelas' punches, never started breathing heavy, and fought a typical Bernard Hopkins-style fight, winning handily on the scorecards in a rather one-sided affair.

"The Executioner" turns 45 next month, and fighters like him are a dying breed. I'm sure every generation says that about somebody, but Hopkins is truly old school in the ring, while at the same time having been a leader of a bold new generation of fighters that bucked the system and started doing things their way.

What's clear is that Bernard has no plans to retire. But past that, it's anyone's guess as to what Hopkins really plans to do, or what he really wants to do.

Let's take a look at a few potential options.

Rematch with Roy Jones Jr.

Let's get this one out of the way first. Hopkins and Jones met in 1993 in what would have been a pretty forgettable, clear Jones win if it weren't for the fact that the two became pillars of the boxing world for the next 15 years or so. They had agreed to fight in the past, then money would become an issue. This time, it was signed on the dotted line. All they had to do was win tune-up fights last night. Hopkins did so. Jones did not.

After his fight, Hopkins seemed to be trying to push the fight still. Maybe it's an ego thing -- Hopkins feels that Jones is the only man to ever truly beat him. At this stage of his career, he might want to even that score. A debate as to where the two stand all-time has shifted in Hopkins' favor over the last five years, as Bernard has done things no one thought he could do, while Roy has lost to every solid (or better) opponent he's fought since 2004.

I no longer have any interest personally. I know some still will, but it has lost all possible luster for me. Style-wise, I thought Roy and his speed still presented a decent challenge for Bernard, whose only losses (past his debut) have come against quick fighters in Jones, Calzaghe, and Jermain Taylor, whose athleticism allowed them to take Hopkins out of his comfort zone.

But now I look at it and I agree with the folks who thought I was crazy to ever think this version of Roy had a decent shot against Hopkins. Roy would wind up falling into that awful habit he has of planting himself with his back to the ropes, and Hopkins would tee off. I don't think Jones should retire if he doesn't want to, because I don't see him in any great danger of getting hurt or the like, but I'm also just not that interested in seeing him fight anymore, either. At this point, the cycle is obvious: Win a few against lesser competition, land the big money fight, lose, win a few against lesser competition, land the money fight, lose...

Chad Dawson

This is what folks are going to want. It's apparently what HBO really wants to do, probably a last-ditch effort at making a big star out of "Bad" Chad.

Dawson is probably a very, very tough (perhaps even bad) matchup for Hopkins at this point. But the truth is, the interest isn't there. Dawson was booed in his home state for winning his last fight with Glen Johnson convincingly. He's not exciting, he's not even all that entertaining, he's low-key, and he just does his job and goes about his business. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, but it's not particularly marketable.

Dawson has done terrible live draws for his last three fights, two with Antonio Tarver in Las Vegas that drew about 2,000 fans combined, and his fight in Hartford with Johnson was a really disappointing live gate, too. I think HBO might now realize they overpaid for Dawson, who has some of the tools to be a star, but as talented as he is, lacks an "it" factor that will really help him shoot upward. HBO would have to make this more than worth Hopkins' while, I suspect.

Star-divide

Tomasz Adamek

Kathy Duva at Main Events (Adamek's promoter) says Adamek would return to cruiserweight and defend his world championship should Hopkins want to revisit an idea that almost happened earlier this year. Right now, Adamek is probably facing Jason Estrada at heavyweight on February 6, but that could be changed were Hopkins to re-enter the picture. I still like the idea, and still see Adamek as both a tough matchup and a winnable fight, which would give Hopkins the legit championships at 160, 175 and 200 for his career.

David Haye

The reigning WBA heavyweight titlist and former world cruiserweight champion is one of Hopkins' targets, as Bernard wants to add a heavyweight strap to his resume. It seems like Hopkins had a very clear plan: First Ornelas, then Jones, then Haye. If Jones is off, and Haye can get the WBA to give him an optional defense after his mandatory in March/April with John Ruiz, there's a realistic chance Haye-Hopkins could happen next summer or fall. Both are Golden Boy affiliated.

Lucian Bute

This was floated during Hopkins-Ornelas by the Versus broadcast team. I don't see Bernard taking this one. He's staunchly against ever fighting off of American soil, and Bute probably makes more money in Quebec fighting Edison Miranda than he does in America with Hopkins. Bute would have to move up a weight class, too, something that he could probably pull off, but he doesn't seem in any great rush just yet to leave 168.

Danny Green

Green just starched Jones, yet as strong as he is, I don't see that happening with Hopkins. Green could probably still make 175 pounds, as he's fought at 180 since returning as a "cruiserweight." He's really no more a cruiserweight than Zsolt Erdei. Green is at his peak of international fame right now, and his name will probably never got hotter. With Jones-Hopkins II having lost its zip, why not Hopkins against the guy that ruined it? The fight would make its most money in Australia, which would probably be the real hangup. Bernard's not going there, and Green might be able to get someone like Sakio Bika in the ring in Oz for more money.

Evander Holyfield

I'm kidding. I hope. What would be the over/under on "accidental" headbutts in this fight, though?

Whatever Bernard winds up doing, it'll deserve attention. He's going to be 45 years old in January, and he remains one of the best boxers on the planet. All in all, it's truly remarkable that we're even having this discussion.

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Mountain West Connection ::Above the Rest::
Bolts From The Blue "There’s a gleam men. Let’s go get the gleam! Focus and Finish!!! One play at a time!!! Let's Go!!!"
Representing the San Diego State University Aztecs, home of the 2009 College Cheerleading National Champions in the all women's division.

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Dec 3, 2009 12:47 AM EST reply actions  

rec’ing this for evander holyfied joke

The Dude Abides

by battle axe of doom on Dec 3, 2009 1:11 AM EST reply actions  

Admek, Dawson, Haye. The only ones i want to see. Admek would be good if he could pick up Ring Champion then move to HW and fight Haye but how long will he be around

"Good, so it can’t go any deeper." - Arturo Gatti after being told he was cut to the bone

by sigidy on Dec 3, 2009 3:06 AM EST reply actions  

X vs Bad

Do it! Let Chad be the ring champ of the LHW division! Its the only fight in that division and will let the ring finally let go of the past.

by waldo47 on Dec 3, 2009 6:12 AM EST reply actions  

I would like too see Hopkins go in any direction forward. A fight against Dawson would be very boring for even a guy like Hopkins. Dawson is in a drop dead boring division, he should either go up in weight or down. He’s actually just sitting on those belts fighting old fighters. Dawson missed his opportunity in that division by about 5 years through no fault of his own. Hopkins is kicking ass and moving forward. He’s still a threat when he fights and opponents respect that. With Hopkins gunning for Haye I’m not sure that it’s a good idea but we know one thing is for sure, he must see something about Haye that we don’t. Plus, the competitiveness you have to like for the sport.

by Haans Bishop on Dec 3, 2009 9:41 AM EST reply actions  

How about Adamek, then Haye? That would be a pretty incredible cap on a pretty incredible career.

by Nick_ on Dec 3, 2009 9:56 AM EST reply actions  

Or tarnis his legacy…..how about Dawson?

"If you sit there and watch a person take about an hour to tie his shoestrings, then you realize that whatever problems you got ain't that significant"
---Vernon Forrest 2006

by The Midnight Rambler on Dec 3, 2009 5:30 PM EST up reply actions  

It would be nice

But I’ll believe it when I see it. Hopkins obviously cares more about money than legacy at this point, and that’s fine – he’s earned that right. But Dawson is a notoriously horrible draw. Unless HBO decides to subsidize it (like they did for Dawson’s last two fights) or a casino subsidizes it (like Planet Hollywood did to make Calzaghe-Hopkins happen), I just can’t see it happening.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Dec 3, 2009 5:45 PM EST up reply actions  

By the way, in case no one’s mentioned this already, you know who’s breathing a sigh of relief today? Joe Calzaghe. It had been a pretty bad stretch for him. First Jones beats Lacy, then Ward beats Kessler, then Green beats Jones. At least Hopkins is still looking good.

by taco pal on Dec 3, 2009 11:50 AM EST reply actions  

He still needs to hold out hope for Kessler

I have a feeling that 10, 15 years from now, people will be picking apart Calzaghe’s resume the same way I picked apart Khaosai Galaxy’s resume a few months ago. Other than Reid (if you count his Ottke fight as a win) and Hopkins, none of his opponents have a significant win after fighting him. In Lacy’s case, you can make the argument that Calzaghe ruined him, but for the others? A pretty good indication that they were either past it or never that great to begin with.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Dec 3, 2009 5:40 PM EST up reply actions  

Hopkins is a pretty big asterisk though. That win alone will keep him from ever being Khaosai Galaxy.

by taco pal on Dec 3, 2009 6:18 PM EST up reply actions  

Eubank did pretty well in two losing efforts vs Carl Thomson after the Calzaghe fight; better than Haye did, in fact.

Also, what have you been saying about my man Khaosai?! I used to love catching him on “ITV Fight Night” in the late 80s: a bone fide, abso-fucking-lute destroyer, notwithstanding his resume of regionally-sourced tomato cans. He could have been fighting oompah-loompahs for all I cared!

by FCF on Dec 3, 2009 7:09 PM EST up reply actions  

Roy Jones is finished. Period. He was finished as soon as he’d come down to Light-Heavy again against Tarver. He’s done ffs.

by Randy Loathsome on Dec 3, 2009 4:43 PM EST reply actions  

You did that to Galxy’s resume? Arrgh! EEragh

"If you sit there and watch a person take about an hour to tie his shoestrings, then you realize that whatever problems you got ain't that significant"
---Vernon Forrest 2006

by The Midnight Rambler on Dec 3, 2009 5:50 PM EST reply actions  

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