Bernard Hopkins is the latest American boxer to try and grab some headlines by calling out World Heavyweight champion David Haye. The Executioner believes he can set up a fight with Haye for this September.
After losing to another British Legend, Joe Calzaghe, Hopkins turned back the clock to take Kelly Pavlik to school in a fantastic night of boxing. Since that fight however Hopkins has been more active outside the ring than inside. His next fight is against another ring legend, Roy Jones Jr on April 3rd.
While Hopkins could be seen as looking past Jones to early, the fight between the two old ring legends has not left many scratching their heads as to where to place bets. Unlike Hopkins, Jones is far past his prime and should not be looking to continue his career after a sad first round knock out by Danny Green in December. While the fight may be personal to Hopkins having lost to Jones on points back in 1993, not many expect the fight to set box office sales alight.
Hopkins could easily fight for any of the big four Light-Heavyweight titles and is currently ranked as the linear champion by Ring Magazine. However a fight with David Haye would be far more lucrative than any of these fights, including a possible exciting fight with Chad Dawson.
Hopkins said: “Haye is not a giant heavyweight – he’s big but not that big. Roy Jones went up from lightheavyweight to heavyweight and beat John Ruiz and I know I can do the same.
“Haye is about the same size as Ruiz and I’m ready to go to heavyweight.”
David Haye defends the WBA heavyweight title against the ‘Quiet Man’ John Ruiz in front of 20,000 at the MEN in Manchester, a far cry from Las Vegas where Bernard Hopkins will be meeting Roy Jones Jr on the same night.
“I wanted to fight on the same night because I’m gunning for Haye – he’s the heavyweight I want,” added Hopkins, who is now 44 and determined to fight on.
“Let me take care of some long overdue unfinished business with Jones and hopefully Haye can beat Ruiz; then we have a fight.”
A fight against Hopkins could be provide the global name recognition David Haye is looking for to help give leverage in closing the deal to fight either of the Klitschko brothers. However the huge pay day may be the last one available to Bernard Hopkins before he retires.
Tweet This Post 
Plurk This Post 
Buzz This Post 
Delicious 
Digg This Post 
Facebook 
MySpace 
Ping This Post 
Reddit 
Stumble This Post
Haye vs Hopkins would be like watching a train crash and I think Haye would revel in being the larger man for a change. Haye while the biggerman is still way too quick for the defensively sound Hopkins. It would be painful too watch and likely end in an early, spectacular KO.
If HBO and Goldenboy turn up with a wad of cash then I can see Haye taking this fight. He can revel in the roll of the bigger man for a change. Also, the comments, disses and uncomplimentary remarks will be flying.
I just want to see Haye fight and regularly, if he wants to do a ‘bum of the month’ then it better not be a fight every 6 months. Line em up and watch them fall.
Boxrec have Bernard Hopkins as there no1 lb for lb and David Haye no23. I think this fight should happen as it would put David higher up everyones lb for lb listing, aswell as catching the amercian public eyes.
The Executioner brings a vast wealth of experience which makes him a very good test for Haye.
In 20 years when people look back at David Haye’s career, if they
okay
see the name Bernard Hopkins what would they think? Roy Jones Jr
fought at Heavyweight and won the title, it may not be such a crazy
thought. However Jones was a lot younger. Lets see what happens
when Jones and Hopkins face off again next month. Who knows, Jones
may just spoil all the Executioners’ plans and beat him
maybe not.