Bernard Hopkins' ring appearances lately have been for camera opportunities involving fighters from Golden Boy Promotions.

One of Golden Boy's top officials, Hopkins seems more identified now as a boxing executive than this generation's best middleweight champion.

Intent on keeping his name in the mix for additional marquee bouts, Hopkins will resume his career Dec. 2 in his hometown of Philadelphia. Hopkins, who turns 45 onJan. 15, will fight Enrique Ornelas after a 14-month absence.

``The only reason this is about me is because I didn't want to sit around and wait for a fight to come along,'' Hopkins said.

``I make things happen. I thought to myself, `How can I take something that some media may perceive as me sitting and waiting for someone to fight, and turn it into something good?' I needed to come up with something that can bring [boxing] life back to the city of Philadelphia.''

Hopkins (49-5-1, 32 KOs) has not fought since a convincing performance against then-unbeaten middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik in October 2008.

Many experts anticipated the younger Pavlik sending Hopkins into permanent retirement. Instead, Hopkins won a lopsided decision, toying with Pavlik for virtually the entire light-heavyweight bout.

``All I can say is enjoy me while I am here,'' Hopkins said. ``If you can do it at this age, then understand that once it's gone it might not be exposed to you in your lifetime. I am here to give you that history.''

Hopkins hopes the history includes a rematch against Roy Jones Jr. The Pensacola native defeated Hopkins 16 years ago, before Hopkins began his successful 11-year, 20-fight run as middleweight champion and Jones' eventual ascent to being the best ``pound-for-pound'' fighter of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Jones also will fight on Dec. 2, only his bout will be several time zones away. In his first fight overseas, Jones will face Danny Green in Sydney, Australia.

Could their coinciding fights add to the speculation that Hopkins and Jones will finally have their rematch next year?

``People [are] asking me about the Roy Jones fight, but I am not thinking about that right now,'' Hopkins said. ``I only have to think about who is right there in front of me . . .''

• Carl Froch and Arthur Abraham won their first-stage bouts at the Super Six World Boxing Classic on Saturday.

In the six-fighter, super-middleweight tournament, Froch won a split decision against Andre Dirrell in Froch's native England. Abraham, an Armenia native and Germany resident, scored a 12th-round knockout over Jermain Taylor in Berlin.

Dirrell, of Flint, Mich., tried to use his speed and skills to offset Froch. Two judges opted for Froch's brawling style, 115-112, while the third scored the fight for Dirrell, 114-113.

In addition to earning two points for the victory, Froch (26-0) retained his World Boxing Council title. For Dirrell, it was his first professional loss after winning his first 19 fights.

Abraham, a three-year middleweight champion, proved he could make a similar impact in a new weight class. Abraham (31-0, 25 KOs) was comfortably ahead on points when he floored Taylor with a flush right to the chin. Referee Jose Guadalupe counted Taylor (28-4-1) out with six seconds remaining in the fight. The knockout victory earned Abraham three tournament points.

The event continues Nov. 21. Andre Ward, a 2004 Olympic gold medalist, will face Denmark's Mikkel Kessler.

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