Bernard Hopkins and Winky Wright – It’s No Joke
By Dave Sholler
As they creep toward the age of 40, some fighters lose their speed and reaction time. Others just struggle to maintain a semblance of their old in-ring self.
Don’t count Bernard Hopkins as one of them though.
Judging by his demeanor at Tuesday’s kickoff conference in New York for his July 21 bout with southpaw Winky Wright, Hopkins, 42, hasn’t lost a step. Speaking in his well-known confident tone, Hopkins controlled the room using his usual antics, the same way he did before his 2006 bout with Antonio Tarver in Atlantic City.
Just like last June, some questioned Bernard’s ability to perform past age 40 at the conference Tuesday. Regardless of their skepticism regarding his in-ring abilities now though, no one could deny that Bernard is still a performer. One that seems to always have the first AND last laugh.
“History shows you’re only as good as your last fight,” Hopkins said at the conference. “And look at my last fight. I crushed Antonio Tarver.”
“All you (Winky) are is a Twinkie,” he added, pulling out one of the sweet treats and squeezing the filling out of it. “Winky’s a Twinkie.”
While he’s no Bernie Mac or Dane Cook, Hopkins certainly has a knack for getting his point across in a comedic manner and Tuesday was no different. However, July 21 will be a serious challenge for Hopkins. Wright is a polished boxer, one who causes opponents’ fits by effectively using his jab and relying on accurate counter punching. Wright, normally a quiet, “see me in the ring” type, had counters for Hopkins’ jokes, too.
“All you are is a boogeyman,” Wright said to Hopkins. “And after July 21, the boogeyman will rest. Nobody’s got to be scared of the boogeyman anymore.”
Even though the war of words between the two leading up to July 21 will continue to be entertaining, the dissection of the meat and potatoes of the fight is one that is all business. Whether they admit it or not, both fighters are aware of the skills one another possess and will have to be cautious in their preparation. For Hopkins, he has to try to work around Wright’s jab and use his size, much like he did against Oscar De La Hoya. For Wright, he needs to be a pest - similar to the way he was in his bout with Jermain Taylor - and force Hopkins to deviate from his game plan.
With two months to go before fight night, this bout may prove to follow the De La Hoya-Mayweather technical, sweet science mold. Hopkins himself admitted that he’s looking to take a page out of Sugar Ray Robinson’s book by out working and out styling Wright. Both hinted though, that there may be a glimpse of a brutal, Arturo Gatti-style fight.
“I’ll never back down,” Wright said. “I’ve never been scared and I’ll never be scared.”
Hopkins concurred, adding his usual flavor.
“Come July 21, Winky Wright will be no more,” Hopkins said. “Anyone who’s got something against Winky, no worries. As of July 21, Winky Wright is over. I’m 42 years old and I’m going to whoop his ass.”
It’s only May and the battle has begun. Which fighter will be laughing on July 21 remains to be seen.