Two decades later, Bernard Hopkins will outclass Roy Jones

Nearly two decades after their first matchup, Roy Jones, Jr. and Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins signed contracts Wednesday to battle in a light heavyweight contest April 17 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

The rematch was tentatively agreed to by both parties last autumn.

However, the fight was temporarily unhinged when Jones (54-6, 40 KOs) was knocked onto Queer Street by Danny Green (28-3, 25 KOs) in the first round in “The Green Machine’s” native land of Australia on December 2.

“We worked very hard to keep this fight alive and we got it signed Wednesday,” said John Wirt, the CEO of Square Ring, Jones’ promotional company.

“We’re ecstatic that the fight was made and we’re looking forward to a great event. There’s been a long-standing rivalry between two of the preeminent boxers of our generation. This fight will establish once and for all who is the better fighter between Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. This is the fight Roy always wanted.”

In May 1993, Hopkins (50-5-1, 32 KOs) lost to Jones by a unanimous decision for the vacant IBF middleweight belt.

Since their last encounter in the ring, Jones, 41, and Hopkins, 45, have become two of the most accomplished fighters in boxing history.

The public has long clamored for an encore between the two legendary pugilists.

Unfortunately, the bout is now slated to occur approximately ten years too late.

If this fight is unexpectedly moved to Caesars Palace in Sin City, promoters should bill the showdown, “The Geezers Brawl at Caesars.”

“It’s time to take care of business,” said Jones, who was named “Fighter of the Decade” for the 1990’s by the Boxing Writers Association of America.

Jones claimed that he is not concerned about facing Hopkins whatsoever.

“I beat him with one hand the first time,” Jones said of his original match against Hopkins, in which he fought with a damaged right hand. “What am I worried about?”

When Jones initially scrapped Hopkins, “B-Hop” was a green pugilist who had only recently discovered “The Sweet Science” while he served his time in Graterford Prison in Pennsylvania for nine felony convictions.

Over the course of the next 15 years, Hopkins became arguably the greatest middleweight champion in the annals of boxing.

Hopkins was able to successfully defend his middleweight world championship a record 20 times over a span of ten years.

Additionally, “B-Hop” is the oldest man to ever capture the middleweight championship.

“This fight isn’t about money,” said Hopkins, who has publicly stated that Jones is the only man to ever genuinely beat him in his career. “It’s Personal.”

Hopkins has aged gracefully.

Sadly, and somewhat pathetically, Jones has grayed like one of the Golden Girls.

“I can’t wait,” proclaimed Jones, who is protesting his loss to Green like a clown pocket because he contends the Australian used an excessive amount of gauze to wrap his hands.

Jones should be hesitant for what he wishes for.

1993 is in the distant past.

In 2010, “The Executioner” will show “Junior” both the ropes and the canvas.