Bernard Hopkins is returning to the ring Dec. 2 in his hometown of Philadelphia to fight Enrique Ornelas.
Hopkins hopes the light heavyweight bout leads to a long-anticipated rematch with Roy Jones Jr. early next year.
The 44-year-old Hopkins (49-5-1, 32 KOs) hasn't fought since dominating Kelly Pavlik in October 2008, but has no plans to retire. He intends to warm up against Ornelas, (29-5 19 KOs), who has lost three of his last seven fights, before finalizing a deal to fight Jones.
On the same day Hopkins fights Ornelas, Jones will fight cruiserweight Danny Green in Australia.
If both veterans win their bouts, Hopkins' promoter says Hopkins and Jones will meet early in 2010 in a rematch of Jones' unanimous decision victory over Hopkins 16 years ago.
