The Hopkins’ Weekend Coincidence
By William Trillo
Although they didn’t overshadow or take away from Bernard Hopkins’ Light Heavyweight championship unanimous decision victory over Jean Pascal in Montreal on Saturday night, two of his former foes, (one of them is now his Boss), were making headlines of their own on the same day.
Hopkins two time foe Roy Jones Jr., a man who beat Hopkins in his prime and then lost to him late in his career, was pummeled into oblivion earlier in the day on Saturday as Cruiserweight Denis Lebedev unmercifully KO’d Jones Jr. in round 10 with some late blows that sent Jones into a scary state of unconsciousness. The last shot by Lebedev was an unnecessary blow that was allowed by ref Steve Smoger while Jones was out on his feet.
Personally I hope this is it for Roy. His health is truly at stake now. He has a great job at HBO but if can’t formulate words because of all the head shots he has suffered I doubt that gig will be at his disposal. No one wants to remember Roy in the same manor as some of us think of Willie May’s stumbling in the outfield, but truth be told…it most likely is already too late.
Another headline grabber on Saturday was the news that Oscar De La Hoya, the last fighter Hopkins KO’d, had admitted himself into rehab for what is only being described as substance abuse. If you have read any of Oscar’s Twitters over the past few days it seems he is feeling good and he has some very inspiring things to say. I truly wish Oscar the best.
The one thing I am worried about is that Oscar will feel so good when he comes out that he will say he is revitalized, has never felt better and has decided to fight again. In fact I am almost expecting it.
Members of Team Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. are already laying a little bait and are openly suggesting Oscar fight Chavez Jr. By the time Oscar is into the meat of his recovery Chavez Jr. could very well be holding a version of a Middleweight belt and that will be a Brass Ring that may be to tempting for Oscar to not at least try to take a swipe at.
Say what you will about his company, Golden Boy is one of the most prestigious promoters on the planet and as far as careers go, Oscar’s accomplishments inside the ring are darn near second to none. He really has nothing more to prove in the ring, he did it all.
I know fighters have a hard time leaving the game and having your career end on your stool is not ideal, but Oscar lost to the best fighter Pound4Pound today, there is no shame in that.
I could be wrong…I hope I am wrong….but as The Golden Boy cleans up his life he may feel like there is one more thing he wants to correct, and that would be going out on a Middleweight Championship winning note.
We shall soon see.
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