Bernard Hopkins
WHAT’S LEFT FOR B-HOP?
New York, NY– Despite former light heavyweight (175 lb.) champion, Bernard Hopkins (52-6-2, 32 KOs) proving his dominance consistently throughout his career, lately there has been a lingering question, about which fight will be his last. At 46, Hopkins is reaching his twilight and he’s done more than enough to secure his legacy as an all time great. Truthfully, even if he’d beaten the much younger (17 years) Chad Dawson (31-1, 18 KOs) this weekend, it would not have significantly altered or elevated his status in the sport. This is because Hopkins fights now need to have significant meaning, if not there’s no point.
FIGHT STILL NOT BEATEN OUT OF PHILLY’S HOPKINS
Many believed that Hopkins consciously avoided ‘Bad’ Chad Dawson for years, as Chad went undefeated and appeared to be Hopkins biggest threat in his division. What makes that sentiment all the more ironic is that when they finally did meet, there was a bizarre ending which failed to deliver a true and definitive winner. Hopkins was neither vindicated nor admonished in the match as Dawson literally slammed Hopkins, subsequently injuring Hopkins shoulder and causing a disappointing TKO ending. Dawson was rewarded a title he arguably didn’t earn in the ring, while Hopkins complained, “They want me out of boxing”.
IF BERNARD WERE TO CONTINUE?
Although Hopkins was the legitimate champion at 175 lbs. it’s not likely that he would have much business north of his current division. Although cruiserweight (200 lb.) and heavyweight (200 lbs+) titles would add more luster to his great legacy, there appears to be more risk than reward to consider in moving up. There is no way he steps inside the ring against a Klitschko brother (Vitali or Wladimir), as the size difference would be almost certainly be a recipe for disaster. And at cruiser it seems that most guys are lining up to be steamrolled by the very same Klitschko brothers for a payday. Hopkins simply won’t find many big names there and it would honestly be his opponent’s fight to lose anyway.
IF THERE IS A REASON TO FIGHT ON…
Why not pass the torch? It would be certainly be a viable, but then again potentially lackluster event if Hopkins decided to take on a guy like super middleweight (168) champ Andre Ward at a catch-weight or as a full fledge light heavyweight. The same could be said for Carl Froch or Lucian Bute for the matter. But these matches would only potentially prolong Hopkins career, as a severe beating from the smaller guys would be unlikely and only fuel Bernard’s fire to fight on. In the end, Hopkins is an enigma, a great fighter and champion, but sometimes it’s best to be satisfied with what you have before it loses some of it’s importance. And Hopkins has nothing important, left to prove.
Jarrad Woods