It might not be exactly true that Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins, like fine wine, is improving with age. But regardless of what Hopkins' birth certificate says, it is apparent that boxing's ageless wonder - he turns 45 on Jan. 15 - is more vibrant and full-bodied than other athletes of similar vintage.

During an open-to-the-media workout yesterday at the Upper Darby Police Athletic League gym, Hopkins (49-5-1, 32 KOs), who squares off against 29-year-old Enrique Ornelas (29-5, 19 KOs), of Mexico, in a scheduled 12-rounder on Dec. 2 at the Liacouras Center, demonstrated that in addition to the guile stockpiled through 21 years of pugilistic experience, he still hasn't lost much off his fastball.

Sparring three rounds with North Philadelphia light-heavyweight Tony Ferrante, Hopkins was quick and accurate in landing lead left hooks, crisp overhand rights and authoritative jabs. When the 25-year-old Ferrante tried to rough up the old master on the inside, Hopkins spun away and landed stinging combinations from a variety of angles before setting up to repeat the process.

"His punches are very sharp," said Ferrante, who is 8-0 as a pro, with four knockouts. "He's pretty strong for 175 [pounds], and he has so much experience. But the thing that impresses me is that his movement is so fluid. He doesn't waste any energy.

"Just to be in there with somebody like that is definitely a learning experience."

Mike "Sharp" Dargan, a renowned amateur from North Philly whose brother, lightweight Karl "Dynamite" Dargan (5-0, 2 KOs), is in a six-round undercard bout against Puerto Rico's Samuel Santana (2-3-2), noted the vast majority of Hopkins' career had been as a middleweight, including an unprecedented 10-year reign as the undisputed or most recognized 160-pound champion.

"Look at him," Dargan said as Hopkins glided around the ring, as frisky as a colt. "He's a light-heavyweight now, 15 pounds heavier, and you can't tell where it went. There's not an ounce of fat on him. "

Hopkins is banking that his status as one of his sport's most enduring icons will elevate what essentially is a tuneup bout, but one that has implications for his eventual transition from active fighter to full-time promoter.

Nearly 17 years after they last fought, Hopkins and fellow fortysomething legend Roy Jones Jr. are set to meet sometime in the first half of 2010 in one of the longest-delayed rematches in boxing history. Jones (54-5, 40 KOs), who scored a unanimous-decision victory over Hopkins in May 1993, takes on Australia's Danny Green (27-3, 24 KOs) for Green's IBO cruiserweight title in Sydney, Australia, on Dec. 2. If all goes according to plan, Hopkins and Jones will win and move on to what could be the final bout for both.

But if B-Hop, who hasn't fought since he easily outpointed previously undefeated middleweight titlist Kelly Pavlik in a 170-pound catchweight bout on Oct. 18, 2008, is mostly interested in scraping off any ring rust on his way to the redux with Jones, he figured he might as well do it as a homecoming. This will be his first fight in Philadelphia since he defended his middleweight crown on an eighth-round stoppage of Morrade Hakkar on March 29, 2003, at the First Union (now Wachovia) Spectrum, and his 11th appearance here overall.

"I'm highly motivated," Hopkins said. "I rode through North Philly to get here and I looked at all the houses in my old neighborhood. This is my last fight in Philadelphia, where I've never lost [he's 10-0 here]. I want to win and I'm going to win."

Hopkins is donating $3 from each ticket sold to charitable causes - $1 apiece to the Hero Thrill Show, which benefits the families of Philadelphia police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty; the National Breast Cancer Foundation; and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Philadelphia and the Susquehanna Valley. He is also showcasing several young Philly fighters who'll be fighting under the banner of Golden Boy East, of which Hopkins is the president. In addition to Karl Dargan, the card will include junior welterweight Danny Garcia (14-0, 9 KOs), cruiserweight Teneal Goyco (3-0, 1 KO) and junior middleweight Julian Williams (pro debut).

"Here we go again with another batch of prospects," Hopkins said of the ongoing quest to identify his successor as the face of Philadelphia boxing. "Many are called, but few are chosen.

"The street does in some. Lack of patience. Wanting the life of a champion before you earn it. The choices you make have to be for the future and not for now. That's why I'm still where I am. I always looked to the future."