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Hopkins v Jones Jr rematch chalked in for April 3

Bernard Hopkins plans to execute memories of his first loss to Jones © Getty Images

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Bernard Hopkins' representatives have confirmed that a rematch with Roy Jones Jr will go ahead on April 3, making it a huge night in the world of boxing.

WBA world heavyweight champion David Haye has already signed an agreement to make his first title defence against John Ruiz on April 3. That bout will take place at Manchester's MEN Arena, meaning it will not clash with the Hopkins v Jones Jr encounter.

The Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas will provide the setting for Hopkins' return to the ring, confirmed by representatives Swanson Communications on Tuesday. The fight with Jones Jr will be a rematch of their first bout 17 years ago, won by Jones via unanimous decision.

Both fighters are former WBA world champions, boasting 72 knock-outs between them in their illustrious careers, but there are doubts over Jones Jr in particular following his shock pre-Christmas loss to Danny Green. However, "Captain Hook" remains convinced he is about to put on a show for the fans, operating under a new nickname.

"We're giving the fans what they want to see. They deserve this fight and why not supply the fans with what they demand?" Jones Jr said. "Now I can finally terminate 'The Executioner' once and for all. My new nickname for this fight will be 'The Terminator'."

For Hopkins, the bout is all about exorcising some lingering demons: "A rematch with Roy has been in the back of my mind for a long time and it's finally going to happen. 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."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.