Boxing Icon Bernard Hopkins
NEVER ENDING CHAMPIONSHIP LIFE OF BERNARD HOPKINS
San Francisco, CA– Although I was one of the voters in the recent poll that called for IBF 175 lb. champion Bernard Hopkins to retire, let me state my case and then explain my about face on the subject. Bernard Hopkins has been in boxing since the the President of the United States was Ronald Reagan seeing Hopkins’ pro dubut, a four round Majority Decision loss occurred on October 11, 1988 to fellow debutante Clinton Mitchell.
TAKING “EXPOSURE” FROM YOUNG FIGHTERS
My argument that Bernard Hopkins has been “stealing the play” away from younger and more “deserving” fighters. That slick matchmaking in my mind and less than stellar, yet supposedly world class opposition, I thought Hopkins was doing boxing an disservice by sticking around. And let’s be honest, Bernard Hopkins has not been in “epic” battles that fight fans will clamor for in 100 years.
SOME HOPKINS HISTORY OF NOTE
Now 48, Hopkins won hist first world title in 1995, this after looking lackluster vs Roy Jones Jr. in 1993. 18 years ago, Bernard’s foray into the upper echelon of boxing began with a Draw 12 before a rematch and win the second time around with a pedestrian fighter from Ecquador Segundo Mercado. Currently, Bernard is 54-6-2 (32 KOs) and has captured professional gold at 160 & 175 lbs. His loss to Joe Calzaghe at 175, Hopkins put Joe down in the opening round and then went into a shell before dropping a Decision 12 to the UK fighter.
BOXING IS A “YOUNG MAN’S” SPORT
Hopkins is proving that subtitle to be incorrect. He has beaten guys who he should not be able to get over on, I mean the then undefeated (22-0, 19 KOs) Tavoris Cloud was a stellar amateur before first being exposed in February 2012 by Gabriel Campillo (22-6-1, 9 KOs). Now (22-2, 19 KOs, Cloud was dethroned by Hopkins in March of this year. In his next fight, Cloud was stopped by Adonis Stevenson in September.
Never Seen One of These Following A Hearse
“FRUGAL” BERNARD REMEMBER THIS
While this is said to be Bernard’s “get around town” car (pictured), no matter how much money he accumulates, you can’t take it with you. Hopkins could not spend the money he has if he were to live to 300. Not only has he made a lot of money, he’s frugal in the minds of some to a fault.
CAREER ENDING FIGHT(S) ON TAP?
With WBO light heavyweight monster Sergey Kovalav (22-0-1, 20 KOs) looking unbeatable (for the moment) and WBC guy Adonis Stevens (22-1, 19 KOs) also appearing to be a notch better than Bernard, these fights are on the horizon if Bernard decideS to go out fighting the best IN 2014. His recent 12 round drubbing over Karo Murat (25-1, 15 KOs) showed that at the age of 48, Bernard Hopkins is “special.” That being said, he could get hurt stepping in with anybody, but Kovalav hits so hard the people in the cheap seats can hear the impact. Stevenson is just too fluid and too hits hard, that’s the only reason I implore him to retire now to avoid Sergey and Adonis.
NO LONGER CALLING FOR HOPKINS TO RETIRE
But as far as railing for Bernard to retire, I’m going to instead continue to wish him the best of luck for even if you don’t like him personally, I do, you have to admire his ability to compete at the age of 48. If he can continue to beat guys that are ranked and not rank, Keep On Truckin’ Bernard baby. Just remember my friend, if you push the envelope too many times, it’ll eventually get dropped!.
Pedro Fernandez