Hopkins ‘gains revenge’ in safety first win over Jones

After 17 long years Bernard Hopkins finally gained a measure of revenge with a unanimous decision victory over Roy Jones Jr with scores of 117 -110, 117-110 & 118-109.

Hopkins would fight in spurts before clinching and Jones had no answer for this until the 5th round where he finally decided to let his hands go. Both appeared cautious not wanting to give either an opening for the stoppage  (and the 60-40 split of the purse) but this also meant neither were looking to fully take control of the fight.

The fight heated up in the 6th round after Jones sent Hopkins to the canvas with a rabbit punch. Hopkins stayed down and the ring doctor had to check on him before he continued but when the action resumed it was a full blooded affair as Hopkins appeared to seek revenge attacking Jones with venom. They fought after the bell and security had to enter the ring to help the referee, Tony Weeks split the fighters up.

It would appear the two would go to war in the 7th but it was back to the familiar pattern as neither seemed to want to take the round. Hopkins would go down in the 8th from another rabbit punch and again in the 10th from a low blow and you kind of got the impression that Hopkins was playing for time.

Roy pressed forward but Hopkins threw more of the punches thus taking the rounds.

The fight was stopped in the 11th after Hopkins opened up a cut over Jones’ eye with an accidental headbutt but the action resumed after the doctor checked on Jones. For a fight that was meant to be all about revenge between two men who don’t like each other it was void of proper action and boos could be heard through out the arena at numerous points in the fight.

Jones came on strong in the 12 but again the clinching meant there were few punches traded, following one last exchange the bell was rung and Hopkins wheeled away hands raised.

Full review to come…

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