If A Tree Falls In A Forest Does It Make A Sound ….. ?
This I believe is a very apt phrase and it probably best describes this weekend’s debacle or we’re led to believe is what the boxing fans yearn for in terms of a bout. We’ll have two aging fossils in Bernard Hopkins (50-5-1, 1NC, 32KO’s) and Roy Jones Jr (54-6-0,40 KO’s) enter the ring in a rematch of their now classic tussle from 1993. The bout was won by Jones with a unanimous and was a middleweight fight. Jones and Hopkins were two of the premiere fighters not only of that era but also within the division. Though the rivalry cannot match that of a Hagler Hearns or Hagler Leonard ! The two did bring the fans to the bouts when ‘they fought the elite’ within the division.
On Saturday April 3rd the two will meet in a live PPV bout at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino Complex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight is being promoted by Oscar de La Hoya’s – Golden Boy Promotions Inc., of which Hopkins is a co-partner and owner in the boxing promotion’s company. Jones, himself, has a stake in this as well, as he’s also a co-promoter of the event through his own company. Though if anything his financial gain or reward will be nowhere near that Hopkins. The ‘two’ will share the $ 7 million dollar purse that is being split 50/50 but the ancillary earnings such as the gate receipts and the anticipated revenues via the PPV ($44-95/$49-95) hits will be split in Hopkins’ favor (60/40). That’s not something Jones was amenable to at first but given that “his career” has been on the decline over the last five years at least , he had to make do with the offer.
The action between an aging Hopkins and and a ram shackle Jones may not be as exciting as watching two elephants mate.
Given the timing of this bout and the lackluster performance given by Joshua Clottey in his unanimous 12 round verdict loss to Manny Pacquaio . This is hardly the bout that I for one feel, will be a huge draw much less a real crowd pleaser for the fans in attendance or those watching via the tv broadcast ! There’s more excitement to be elicited from watching two pachyderms (elephants) mate than watching these two fossils at this stage of their careers. As to whether or not it’s in the best interests of the sport or the long suffering fans to witness this bout. Let’s just say , the aforementioned statement that I premised concerning mating elephants, in an earlier paragraph , still stands. And why shouldn’t it ? Will you be willing to spend that much money on the main event and a somewhat lackluster under-card to witness two aging fighters whose best years are behind them ?
The publicity shpeel begins concerning Hopkins vs Jones II . The animosity between the two hasn’t yet dissipated between the two. Whether or not the animosity and hatred between the two is mere hype or simply being done to garner the publicity needed.
As the title of this piece would suggest “…………If A Tree Falls In A Forest Does It Make A Sound ….. ” ? I’ll let you be the judge of that ! But for myself it is becoming abundantly clear that boxing as a sport no longer resonates with the fans en masse’ . If anything fight fans are more inclined to gravitate towards mixed martial arts (MMA) and the energy and excitement that can be derived from watching the events now being staged by UFC .
Though both camps have been doing all that they can to hype up the bout and the undercard program . A nationwide tour and overseas marketing hasn’t exactly set the world alight with anticipation for the bout. If anything it has been lackluster in terms of the perceived importance being attached to the event. Hopkins may well be seeking vengeance for the the middleweight loss when the two met for what was then, the vacant middleweight title. But since then, any dominance attained in the true sense of the word, has been acquired by Hopkins with his reign and supremacy within the middleweight division. Even now within the category he’s sorely missed , as the champions there, are marginally average at best !
One can now only ponder the future of the sport . Because once the likes of Pacquiao , Hopkins , Jones and Floyd Mayweather have retired, the sport will become ominously silent . And as I suggested you won’t be able to hear if a tree falls in the forest and discern the sound that it might make. That’s how ominous the signs have really become for the sport.
Alan Parkins aka tophatal ……………….
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Tophatal1's Blog 
Are you sure that’s not Roy Jones Sr. in that last picture? Man, time has not been kind to that guy:)
Have a good weekend brother.
aero
I can tell you this , if Roy doesn’t take this fight seriously , he could end up in hospital suffering from some serious injuries. He’s made it plain that he doesn’t like Hopkins. And that I can understand but since when was it apt to then vilify your opponent’s family for no reason ? That’s off limits and has no place as part of the pre-fight publicity shpeel !
Hopkins has his way , then Roy’s in for a really bad night at the office. He’s gonna feel as if he’d been gang raped in prison once B-Hop finishes with him.
Alan Parkins
Hopkins isn’t all that likeable of a guy, so it’s not shocking they don’t get along… I hope he wins, I don’t think Roy has the power or speed anymore, and Bernard is much more of a grind it out guy than Roy. I think both these guys should just get their AARP cards, instead of jumping back in the ring… I’ll be waiting for this one to show up on HBO to see it!
chappy
Roy has become bitter and there an innate hatred within him against B-Hop (Hopkins) that comes down to nothing more than jealousy over the last few years. He resents Hopkins because of the success and wealth that he’s obtained . Whereas he , well let’s just say he’s not done much after having defeated Ruiz to win a version of the heavyweight title then relinquishing it. At the same time Hopkins has legitimized his legacy and also become a successful business partner of Oscar De La Hoya.
This should be enough of a reason why Jones should call it quits after having his ass pounded like this by Danny Green .
Everything that B-Hop has accomplished , Roy Jones resents Bernard for that success and the mere fact the fans no longer deem him relevant.
I’m in total agreement with you that this fight isn’t worth watching at the exorbitant price they’re seeking. It’s best to watch the rebroadcasting of the event on either HBO or Showtime as the case maybe. $49-95 is far to steep a price to paying to see two aging and past their prime fighters in the ring.
Jones’ training regimen involved him having sex with each of these women . Coitus as well as orally. That’s why his career has sagged so badly !
Two fat ladies in a boxing ring might be just a tad bit more preferable don’t you think ? LOL,LOL,LOL !!!
Alan Parkins
No the tree doesn’t make a sound…something has to be there to hear it so that there will be a “sound”. LOL
You know I’m not much into boxing…even less into MMA…only thing that separates humans involved in this sport from Chickens and Dog is a brain…..wait a minute, wait a minute…think the dog and chicken might have a brain, not the h
humans.
I’ll take a hit of Sofia and the Rusky please.
al clements
Let’s just say that at this moment in time , I’d rather see the guys in the octagon fighting for money rather than seeing them coming home maimed or mentally shocked as they’re now doing in returning from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Do you think that the VA actually gives a damn about them at present ? Much less either the Senate or House ?
Because there’s been little evidence to show to the contrary that they care !
Reds in your bed ? What will you want next ?
A stripper as well ? LOL,LOL,LOL !!!
Hopefully the above video will be to your liking ?
Alan Parkins
One can only ponder the future of the sport, Al? It has one?
I was actually surprised to see that Hopkins is a significant favorite to win this fight.
Jones is coming back at 8 to 1 for a KO, TKO or disqualification.
Chris Humpherys
The sport has sunk to new uncharted waters in terms of embarrassment. Do you remember the Bowe Holyfield fight in Vegas ? That was the one where the parachutist got tangled up in the ropes and fractured his spine . Well this Saturday is actually the anniversary of the fateful event.
As B-Hop fighting Roy this is more of circus side and freak show all rolled into one. Nobody wins in reality in terms of adding any real legitimacy to what is now a dying sport. The whole world knows this including the boxers themselves. But unfortunately it’s the only thing that they know how to do with limited success for many of them. Only the really good fighters in the end up with the wealth and acclaim. These two are way past their prime !
Alan Parkins
It’s a shame, Al, that the sweet science has gone sour.
Chris Humpherys
A certain female feminine hygiene product once used doesn’t stink up the joint the way that boxing does today. It’s so corrupt and much of the blame lies with the various international governing bodies and also Arum and King combined .
These two make the Colombian drug cartel bosses seem like saints !
Alan Parkins
Guys ,
WBA heavyweight champion David Haye says he’s not interested in fighting Bernard Hopkins because he doesn’t think it worthwhile , unless it’s being done for the right reasons. “Reasons” being money !
Haye (left) seen here knocking out Mike Barrett another tomato can that the boxing board thought was a worthwhile contender and who was ranked in the ‘top 10’
Alan Parkins