In separate interviews, Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. shared their thoughts on last Saturday's clash between undefeated middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik and former champion Jermain Taylor. With Bob Arum's announcement that Pavlik will be returning to middleweight in June to defend his titles, Jones revealed that he's extremely interested in a potential clash with Taylor and believes it's a big fight that fans are eager to see. Hopkins, who lost to both Jones and Taylor, disagrees and says it would be better for Taylor to face Felix Trinidad.
"I thought it was a good fight. Both guys came to fight and Jermain has nothing to be ashamed of. He should have worked a little bit more, but Pavlik had a lot of fans there so everything he did was amplified because of the way the crowd was reacting to what he was doing. Both guys deserve to be commended for the fight they put on, but it's like this, you know, coming into this fight I said I would have NO PROBLEM fighting the winner. We all know Pavlik won the fight, but he's made it clear that he's going to be moving back to 160," stated Jones in a recent interview with boxinqtalk. He continued, "he's talking about fighting Felix Trinidad, a guy I just beat. I'm not going to knock him for that because it's a good fight for boxing, but at the same time, I don't think people should have any problem with me fighting Jermain Taylor, a guy he just beat. I know it's a fight the fans want to see and I'm ready to make it happen as long as Lou DiBella and Jermain don't get crazy with what they're asking for."
While Jones is eager to make a big fight for the fans and his bank account, he admitted that he's also anxious to get back into the ring as soon as possible and is hoping to fight again in the next few months. Unfortunately for Jones, during the post-fight press conference, Taylor stated that he's looking forward to returning home to do some fishing. After two hard-fought battles with Pavlik, not to mention fights with Winky Wright, Cory Spinks and Bernard Hopkins, Taylor has definitely earned some well-deserved rest and relaxation so it's doubtful that he'll be ready for a fight with Jones so soon. Jones, however, has a backup plan, "If they want to make something with Jermain and it was a couple of months difference I would go straight to Jermain. If they're talking about sometime later this year, then I'll probably be looking at Muriqi or another contender like him." Although Elvir Muriqi isn't exactly the big fight that fans were hoping for, Jones promised, "He's the kind of guy I can give my fans what they want to see, entertainment." It appears Jones is more concerned about the entertainment industry than he is the fight game as a clash with Muriqi at this stage of his career would be nothing more than a tune-up. Despite his insistence that he's the draw in the light heavweight division, it's tough to imagine a fight with Muriqi being PPV-worthy. Like Hopkins, Tarver and the rest of the light heavyweight division, one can only assume that without a suitable dance partner, Roy's next fight will be for free.
Light heavyweight king Bernard Hopkins agreed that a Jones-Taylor clash might be good for boxing fans, but he doesn't think it would be good for Taylor's career. "I don't think Lou DiBella will take that fight. I don't think Jermain Taylor can beat Roy Jones Jr.; I really don't think so," he told boxinqtalk. Hopkins continued, "I'd like to see him and Tito fight; Tito supposed to be fighting Pavlik allegedly in June. Going in to fight Roy Jones would be good for boxing fans, but coming off that Pavlik fight, I think Jermain needs to fight B-level fighters, unless he wants to show his Arturo Gatti type heart. He's got two or three kids. I hope he'll be able to speak to them clearly without them saying, 'Daddy, what did you say?'"
Hopkins would go on to critique Jermain Taylor and his legacy as he maintained that his two fights with Taylor shortened his career. "As far as his legacy, he reminds me of a David Reid. I was thinking about this yesterday, seriously. I want the fans to read this interview, I want the fans to really give their opinion on this. Some may agree with me, some may not. This reminds me of a David Reed situation all over again. David Reed is a terrific guy. I consider him a friend. I think he's probably back in Philly right now, not doing well, but I don't think he's homeless. It reminds me of that. He was a medal winner, Jermain won the bronze. The only good thing is that Jermain Taylor became a champion whatever way he did and made some money. Hopefully he buys one or two cars, and saves it. I don't think he has the physical distance in his life, with those two fights with me. That will take 5 years off of your career. Physical, brutal fights where he didn't look like the winner. Pavlik and Cory Spinks, and Winky Wright busted him up."
The comparison of Taylor to Reed might be a little extreme considering that Taylor, win or lose, has been competitive in all of his fights and showed a great deal of improvement in his rematch with Pavlik. Furthermore, with Felix Trinidad and Kevin Kelley being the most recognizable names on his resume, David Reed never faced the same caliber of opponents that Taylor has fought on a consistent basis. I might be wrong, but I highly doubt that David Reed will be remembered in the same light as Jermain Taylor.
Hopkins also shared his thoughts on Kelly Pavlik's performance and victory over Taylor, who Hopkins had originally picked to win. "Pavlik fought a thrilling fight. I tell fans, people ask me, for the last 15-20 hours is enjoy the fights that he do make for the next year because the type of fights that this guy has, he's not going to be around long. He's already talking sort of like Elmer Fudd. I'm not trying to badmouth him. I'm just keeping it real. That's what it is. That's what the fans like about Bernard, he keeps it real. I think that he should make all the money he can, fights that will get him out of there while he still has all his faculties left. That's the type of fighter he is, he's coming forward all the time and not ducking anything. Boxing is an art. A lot of people want to see blood and guts. We live in a society where people want to see that stuff. I don't mind shedding blood, but I don't mind ducking either."
That being said, expect a lof of ducking on April 19th when Hopkins faces super middleweight king Joe Calzaghe, a fighter who's known for his high workrate and volume punching. The U.S. press conference to announce their clash kicks off in New York this Tuesday, followed by stops in LA and Las Vegas.
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