Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
Nearly every time he speaks in public prior to a fight these days, Bernard Hopkins is asked about his age more than he is about his opponent.
Whether he’s facing an in-his-prime Jean Pascal, as he is on Saturday in a Showtime-televised bout for the World Boxing Council light heavyweight title in Quebec City, or if he’s facing a long-in-the-tooth Roy Jones Jr., as he did in April, the subject matter never changes: Why, he’s asked, are you fighting at your age and when do you plan to retire?
It may seem like a logical question. If Hopkins defeats Pascal on Saturday, he’ll become the oldest world champion in the history of boxing. Hopkins turns 46 on Jan. 15, less than a month after Saturday’s championship bout.
It makes sense to ask those questions of Erik Morales, a 34-year-old who has taken tremendous punishment during his career.
And someone should ask them of 30-year-old Paul Malignaggi, a popgun puncher whose quickness is now gone and who can’t avoid the heavy blows he once deftly slipped.
But Hopkins?
No.
Hopkins may be 45, but he’s got the body of a 30-year-old and the mind of a 20-year-old. He’s as sharp as ever mentally and there have been few craftier men in any profession than Bernard Hopkins.
He didn’t look particularly good in his April win over Jones, and even his close friend, business partner and promoter, Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions, suggested he had reached the end of the line.
But Hopkins wasn’t getting beaten up. He may not be the most television-friendly fighter at this stage of his career, though in truth, he never was. He was never the kind of fighter who relished slugfests and was never willing to take two punches to deliver one. In those regards, he was the antithesis of the late Arturo Gatti. He has used his mind when he’s fought and, because of that, he still has his mind to use, fully functioning, fully capable.
Written By Kevin Iole & For full story click Here
