Hopkins targets Haye bout

2010 a big year for Philadelphia veteran

By Ally Fisher   Last updated: 1st December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Hopkins targets Haye bout

Hopkins: Confident

I'm going to look good, then I'm going to finish off Roy Jones Jr and then I might become heavyweight champion in 2010.

Bernard Hopkins
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Bernard Hopkins has set his sights set on a heavyweight showdown with David Haye next year.

Former middleweight and light-heavyweight champion Hopkins returns to his home town ring in Philadelphia on Wednesday night to take on Mexican Enrique Ornelas.

The 44 year-old looks to dismantle Ornelas, with a long-awaited re-match already set for March against old foe Roy Jones Jr.

In 2003 Jones Jr made history when beating John Ruiz to become the first middleweight to win a heavyweight title in 100 years.

Hopkins looks to emulate Jones Jr in becoming a middleweight-turned-heavyweight champion in 2010 at the age of 45.

Hopkins said: "I'm going to look good, then I'm going to finish off Roy Jones Jr and then I might become heavyweight champion in 2010."

Hopkins believes he can add to Haye's legacy after the Briton took the WBA crown from 7ft 2in tall Nikolai Valuev.

He said: "Anything is possible; when a guy beats a guy they call 'The Giant' then things happen.

"Just think outside the box. Think who he's been fighting and who he's going to fight and second of all, what weight did he come from and how did he do it.

"So at the end of the day, when you put these things together, you say to yourself, 'is this something that I would buy?' - 'is this something that I will watch?' and whoever wins or loses you will say 'yes I will buy and watch it, because it's interesting,' " he added.

Declaring he's seen it all before, Hopkins is under no illusions of what is ahead.

Motivation

He said: "Never rule anything out with me. People have ruled me out a lot of times in my life, and that's been my biggest motivation.

"December 2 starts a marathon for me; a marathon of super-greatness and the boxing world are going to be scratching their heads. I'm going to have their attention next year."

However before the turn of the New Year Hopkins has the small matter of defeating Ornelas, a tough opponent he is not taking lightly.

"I've got plenty to lose in this fight. I'm not expecting a big front page; I'm expecting to shake off some dust and to get hit a few times.

"And if I want to plan my next three hit-list fights, I have to look at Enrique like he's Roy Jones. If I don't everything is blown," he added.

Comments (6)

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Rich Field says...

Good! Please BHop move up to heavyweight and take on David Haye. I'd love that. You will lose convincingly because David will KO you in fine style. No doubt about it. He's too fast, too slick, his jab will knock your head back and over and over again and then he'll move in for the kill and knock you clean out Bernard. End of BHop - the man who said "he'd never lose to no white boy." Remember Joe Calzaghe!!!! You lost that one Bhop. Watch the fight Bhop. You lost! And if you fight David, he will KO you and finish you once and for all.

Posted 14:40 2nd December 2009

Nathan Jones says...

I've been a big fan of Hopkins for a long time. But I really dont think he can beat Haye if it came too it. Hopkins is an exceptional fighter and a great tachtician in the ring, but Haye's size, speed and power advantage would blow Hopkins away. At the end of the day Hopkins isnt a heavyweight & I dont think it would be a good fight for him agains Haye. RJJ on the other hand, its a shame this fight didnt happen 10 years ago. But it'll still be an interesting & great grudge match.

Posted 09:50 2nd December 2009

Philip T says...

Hopkins won't be able to employ his usual tactics against someone like Haye, he is tough but Haye would KO him inside the distance in my opinion. BHop is just not big enough.

Posted 09:24 2nd December 2009

Chris Walsh says...

If Bernard steps through the ropes against Haye then He will never get in the ring ever again. Haye would smash through Him in the 1st round. I would seriously fear for Hopkins if he took on Haye. Roy Jones is finished and BHop will KO him in possibly round 6 I think... But please, please BHop do not take on Haye as you will end your career with a demolishion in the first round and that would be sad!

Posted 23:58 1st December 2009

Regi Thompson says...

You are living in a dream world Hopkins if you think you can take the Heavyweight belt. Your 44 now and that will be a telling factor, stick to beating your old foe Jones Jr and then hang them gloves up and retire. P.s We are sick of that big mouth of yours anyway!

Posted 23:34 1st December 2009

Jason Shaw says...

David Haye would dismantle Hopkins within 3 rounds hardly worth stepping in the ring. With the power and speed David has i can see him unifing the titles and being untoucable for at least the next 2 years unless someone highly talented explodes on the scence.

Posted 16:12 1st December 2009
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