By Basil Katz

NEW YORK, US - Seventeen years after losing an unanimous decision to Roy Jones Jr., Bernard Hopkins will finally get his chance for revenge and redemption.

Hopkins, 45, with a 50-5-1 record including 32 knockouts, called the rematch historic, personal and important to his legacy as a boxer during a mock debate on Tuesday to promote their non-title fight set for April 3 in Las Vegas.

"Whether it's justified or unjustified, this fight, to me, is redemption in a lot of ways, personally, athletically, in history...and I know what this would do in a final chapter in Bernard Hopkins' legacy to get Roy Jones back in the ring once and for all and finish it," Hopkins said.

The two Americans have not met since May 22, 1993, in an IBF middleweight title bout in Washington. Jones, 41, with a record of 54-6 and 40 knockouts, remained aloof during on Tuesday, referring to Hopkins as "big head".

"The one thing about it is, the facts don't change, I still can beat him," Jones said.

"I've never dodged big head and I never will. My statement is simple: He didn't win the first time and he won't win again."

Although there has long been speculation about a rematch, Jones's first round knockout loss to Australian Danny Green in December prompted fears it would not take place.

Depending on how many viewers pay to watch, each fighter could take between US$6-US$10 million, said Richard Schaefer, a promoter at Golden Boy Enterprises.

Both fighters weigh 175 pounds (79 kg) now but a weight class for the fight has yet to be determined. --REUTERS