Hopkins beats Jones by decision

LAS VEGAS - North Philadelphia's Bernard Hopkins won a brutal unanimous decision over Roy Jones Jr. in their long-delayed rematch Saturday night, emphatically avenging his loss in the famed champions' first fight nearly 17 years ago.

The 45-year-old Hopkins (51-5-1, 32 knockouts) dominated nearly all 12 rounds of a light-heavyweight bout filled with wily veteran tactics and fueled by obvious mutual hatred. He won for the fifth time in his six fights since 2005.

Hopkins punctuated his dominance with a stirring rebound from Jones' punch behind his head late in the sixth round at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Hopkins settled an old score against the 41-year-old Jones (54-7), who beat him by decision in May 1993 when both fighters still were on the cusp of standout careers.

After the 1993 fight, Jones' career skyrocketed. He reportedly was earning $5 million per fight and plowed through the light-heavyweight division in the 1990s. He won a heavyweight title in 2003.

But in 2004, Jones was knocked out in two fights. He has lost five of his last 10 bouts. In December, he was knocked out by Australian Danny Green, which nearly derailed last night's fight with Hopkins.

Hopkins, meanwhile, kept plugging away after 1993. He didn't lose for 12 years and won a middleweight title in 1995. Six years later, he became the undisputed middleweight champion with a win over Felix Trinidad.

Hopkins won a light-heavyweight belt in 2006. He retired but returned to the ring in 2008 and, at 43, he beat middleweight champ Kelly Pavlik.