Hopkins gets rematch with Jones 17 years later

Former world champion Bernard Hopkins will battle fellow American Roy Jones in April in a rematch of their middleweight fight 17 years ago.

Hopkins (50-5-1, 32 KOs) has been looking for a rematch with Jones since May 1993 in Washington, DC, when Jones beat Hopkins in a unanimous decision for the vacant International Boxing Federation middleweight crown.

The 45-year-old Hopkins (50-5-1 32 KOs) rebounded from that loss to win the middleweight title which he held for 10 years. He is also a former light heavyweight champ.

Two months ago, he defeated Enrique Ornelas by unanimous decision in a light heavyweight bout in Philadelphia. "A rematch with Roy has been in the back of my mind for a long time and it's finally going to happen," Hopkins said.

"I have accomplished a lot in my career since that night in Washington, DC in 1993, and I am going to end this thing between me and Roy once and for all."

The 41-year-old Jones is fresh off a first-round loss to Danny Green of Australia in December.

"We're giving the fans what they want to see," said Jones, 54-6, 40 KOs. "They deserve this fight and why not supply the fans with what they demand?"

The fight will take place April 3 at Mandalay Bay hotel and casino. LAS VEGAS, Wednesday AFP