HOPKINS: I Want Jones To Bring His 'A' Game

BERNARD HOPKINS

“I don't want to look like a bully on Saturday night. I want him to bring his 'A Game.'

“I will knock this guy out.  It is going to be up to Merkerson whether he lives or dies. (To Merkerson)  It is going to be up to you to stop it!”

“It's personal. It's definitely personal. I'm in the fight business which is the hurt business.

“This weekend is a holiday weekend and I want to give Roy a gift that I think he deserves.  (Gives Jones an Easter Basket).  He has been running like a rabbit for 17 years and I was looking for a rooster, but all I found was these chickens and he is chicken.

“He didn't want to fight me because after 1993 I got better, but he didn't.

“This victory will be one of the top three fights in my career.

“Roy Jones is a desperate man. A desperate man is a dangerous man.

“I helped start his legacy and I'll be the one to end it.

“Time flies when you're having fun. It's not like I've been sitting around for the past 17 years.  I've had 21 title defenses.

“Somebody's going to be out of character.  One of us will have to be.  If I want to knock him out, which I do, I will have to be out of character.”

ROY JONES JR.

“I guess he is what they call my 'rival.' I don't like it, but it is what it is. Saturday I am going to clear that up.

“I have it all mapped out.  I am the best I have ever been.

“He can't stand me, he can't beat me, and he can't do anything about me.

“Giving me the bunny was dumb, because what idiot as old as he is and still believes in the Easter Bunny?

“This is going to be vintage Roy Jones.  I feel the best I have felt in a long time.  In past fights I have felt like I over trained.  This fight I feel just right.

“Roy Jones Jr. ready as ever!”

NAAZIM RICHARDSON, Hopkins' Trainer

“I would like to thank everyone for coming out. As a trainer, this is a premier position. You want to be involved in fights like this. Two of the top pound-for-pound guys in the last couple of years matching up head-to-head.

“Bernard is a consummate professional.  You don't have to babysit Bernard.

“I guarantee the Roy Jones Jr. you are going to see Saturday is not the one you saw against Tarver, Johnson or Green. This is going to be the very best Roy Jones Jr. you've seen in years.  I am confident of that and that is the Roy Jones Jr. we prepared for.”

ALTON MERKERSON, Jones' Trainer

“It's always a pleasure to come to Las Vegas. It feels like home. This fight should have taken place years ago, but unfortunately it didn't. All of the hype all of the expectations are going to come to a head this Saturday night.  There are a lot of people who have been undermining these great athletes, but don't have to worry because Saturday night is going to be a great fight.”

ROY JONES SR.

“I did not come here to talk.  I am not here to talk.  (Shakes hands with Bernard Hopkins).  Don't take it personal.”

RICHARD SCHAEFER, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions

“Seventeen years has come down to three days.  Three days more and then you are going to see these two guys in the ring again.  They are legends.  The most recognized fighters of our generation.

“I was down in Florida last week for Bernard's open media workout. I saw something different. I personally have never seen Bernard Hopkins as intense, so prepared, and so ready as he is for this fight and I know this is the same for Roy Jones Jr.

“They deserve the right to fight each other again. Make sure you are going to be here, fight fans and media to see this legendary showdown between these two fighters.

“You snooze you lose.  This fight is only going to be available on Saturday night live in the arena and live on pay-per-view.  No replays.  You watch it on Saturday night or you don't watch it at all.  I don't want to hear complaints 'I waited 17 years and now I missed it'.  This fight is only being shown once.”

JOHN WIRT, CEO of Square Ring, Inc.

“I'm excited to be here this is going to be a historic fight. It has taken 17 years to get this fight done.  We are particularly proud to be involved with the MGM Mirage.  This is going to be distributed on closed circuit in bars and restaurants, movie theaters and in hundreds of countries around the world.”

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“The Rivals: Hopkins vs. Jones II,” set for Saturday, April 3 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nev., is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Square Ring Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, AT&T and Southwest Airlines.  The event will be broadcast live on pay-per-view beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Tickets priced at $750, $500, $300, $200 and $100 are on sale now at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith's Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino).  Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person.  To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.  Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.