By Francisco Salazar - Bernard Hopkins recently started referring to himself as “The Alien.”
Whenever possible, Hopkins now wears that distinctive green alien mask, ditching the executioner’s mask, one that he wore for many years while dominating the middleweight division.
It could be amazing to think the longevity Hopkins’ career has lasted, considering he has fought inside the ring as a professional for 26 years.
To put things in perspective, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez was born two years after Hopkins made his professional debut in 1988.
Is it that amazing Hopkins still remained in the sport of boxing, considering he lost his professional debut to someone named Clinton Mitchell, not too long after getting out of prison for armed robbery?
Or is it that Hopkins wins fight after fight against foes who were predicted to not only defeat him, but would stop him? He must have not gotten those memos prior to facing Antonio Tarver, Kelly Pavlik, or Tavoris Cloud.
Where would a victory over Sergey Kovalev, who he faces on Saturday night at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City (HBO at 10:45 p.m. ET/ 7:45 p.m. PT), rank amongst the greatest in his career? Or in boxing?
Because Hopkins is in a familiar role, one he is accustomed to. There are those who believe Kovalev will be too strong for him. There is no way a 49-year-old fighter (two months shy of his 50th birthday) can withstand Kovalev’s devastating punching power for 12 rounds.
Then again, there are those who point out Kovalev has not been in the ring with someone like Hopkins, a fighter who can outthink you in the ring and can get in your head at the same time.
Was it more the in-ring ability or the cunningness that got Hopkins the win over Felix Trinidad 13 years ago, a win that might be Hopkins’ best win as a pro.
Then again, Hopkins’ legacy might skyrocket through the roof if he were to win convincingly on Saturday night. [Click Here To Read More]
Whenever possible, Hopkins now wears that distinctive green alien mask, ditching the executioner’s mask, one that he wore for many years while dominating the middleweight division.
It could be amazing to think the longevity Hopkins’ career has lasted, considering he has fought inside the ring as a professional for 26 years.
To put things in perspective, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez was born two years after Hopkins made his professional debut in 1988.
Is it that amazing Hopkins still remained in the sport of boxing, considering he lost his professional debut to someone named Clinton Mitchell, not too long after getting out of prison for armed robbery?
Or is it that Hopkins wins fight after fight against foes who were predicted to not only defeat him, but would stop him? He must have not gotten those memos prior to facing Antonio Tarver, Kelly Pavlik, or Tavoris Cloud.
Where would a victory over Sergey Kovalev, who he faces on Saturday night at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City (HBO at 10:45 p.m. ET/ 7:45 p.m. PT), rank amongst the greatest in his career? Or in boxing?
Because Hopkins is in a familiar role, one he is accustomed to. There are those who believe Kovalev will be too strong for him. There is no way a 49-year-old fighter (two months shy of his 50th birthday) can withstand Kovalev’s devastating punching power for 12 rounds.
Then again, there are those who point out Kovalev has not been in the ring with someone like Hopkins, a fighter who can outthink you in the ring and can get in your head at the same time.
Was it more the in-ring ability or the cunningness that got Hopkins the win over Felix Trinidad 13 years ago, a win that might be Hopkins’ best win as a pro.
Then again, Hopkins’ legacy might skyrocket through the roof if he were to win convincingly on Saturday night. [Click Here To Read More]
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