Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins and Roy “The Terminator” Jones stayed true to their reputations as two of the most outspoken boxers in the history of the sport as they announced The Rivals: Hopkins vs. Jones II, which will take place April 3 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nev. and will be broadcast live on pay-per-view. The debate style format of the press conference was the perfect setting for these two living legends to prove why their nearly two-decade long rivalry is stronger than ever. Below please find a sampling of their bold statements, setting the stage for what will surely be a great night for boxing and a hotly contested fight.
BERNARD HOPKINS
“To not watch this fight would be a disservice because we will be making history.
“Roy Jones Jr. had nothing to do with my legacy and career up until now, but I will be the final chapter [of his]. We probably would have been here earlier if he would have taken the fight when we were debating through the media.
“My statement is simple. This fight is very important to me because it is personal. We have 17 plus years of on and off history. I want to show the world that when our legacy is put together and analyzed, this fight will be the reason. So to me, not only am I a better fighter today, I will prove my legacy on April 3. I have a lot of incentive to win. I have waited 10 plus years to come to this debate.
“Everyone has it in their spirit to get somebody back. Whether it is justified or unjustified. This fight is redemption in a lot of ways – to finish him once and for all.
“I can’t speak for Roy, but my name is ‘The Executioner.’ I execute. I am going for his head.
“He (Jones) won that fight. I have watched that tape a million times. What Roy has to understand is that I got better. I have a resume to show that I have gotten better. That is the difference between then and now. Come April 3, Roy Jones Jr is going to realize that his worst nightmare has come true.
“It is important to get the knockout. There is a financial incentive. I want to finally close a chapter personally. This is a 17 year rivalry.
“I am going to kick his ass.”
ROY JONES
“Now, ‘Big Head’ (Hopkins) has got to get it in his mind. We both went on to do good things in this sport. Mine was great early. His was great late. The facts wont change I am still going to beat him.
“I only hit with one hand last time. I’ve got two hands now. With two hands, I’m going to beat the hell out of this old man.
“I never have dodged ‘Big Head’, and I never will. That is why this fight is so important to me.
“We are long time rivals. We waited a long time to fight again. We went our separate ways. I haven’t had a rival as long as I have had ‘Big Head’ sitting around.
“This is like putting on an old pair of pants that still fit after a bunch of years. They probably look better on me now too.
“Have you ever seen somebody run from somebody who he has already whooped? Does that even make sense? Duh!
“I have been trying to fight the bastard for five years. I know Bernard Hopkins. I know him very well. I have never taken anything lightly [and given him reason] to say he hopes I am ready.
“I don’t duck and dodge anyone. I was the test he had to pass to get out of high school. He didn’t pass that test. Now he wants to retake the test!
“Like I said I am still me. I can care less about how much better he has gotten. My job is to knock him out on April 3 and that is what I am going to do.”
All photos by Jeff Fusco – Hoganphotos/GBP
