By Victor Salazar
New York - Bernard Hopkins (55-7-2, 32 KO’s) had a historic middleweight run, included a record 20 defenses from 1994 to 2005. In that run he was the lineal champion of the division in 2001 and was undisputed in 2004. Still an active fighter, Hopkins was in New York promoting the bout between Miguel Cotto (40-4, 33 KO’s) and Canelo Alvarez (45-1-1, 32 KO’s) which will have the lineal title on the line that stems back from Cotto beating Sergio Martinez - who beat Kelly Pavlik - who beat Jermain Taylor - who beat Bernard Hopkins.
The caveat of the fight between Cotto and Canelo is that it will be contested at a catch weight of 155 lbs. Though he had a historic middleweight run, Hopkins has no issue with the catch weight
“No it doesn’t bother me,” Hopkins told BoxingScene.com. “To me it’s like however the fight can get made. To me it ain’t about the weight to a point because it ain’t like the guy is a light heavyweight and he’s got to drain to make weight. And it’s not like a guy is welterweight and has to move up two classes. When you see fighters that are fighting at 155 and fighting for a middleweight title.
“Both guys had to want it, it’s called compromise in any business and sports, There are always comprises to make a deal. The ultimate goal is to put the best fights on and we’re going to keep banging that drum. We want to put on the best fights and you’ll be the judge whether you should buy or turn the TV off.”
Hopkins feels that this fight is more important than the weight but important to both fighters’ legacies and to those fans who shelled out money for the Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao fight.
“It’s important for their legacy,” Hopkins said. “It’s a signature fight to build up from here and we think that that it lives up to hype. It’s definitely important coming from the biggest fights in the last 20-40 years with Mayweather-Pacquiao. One guy didn’t show up or showed up hurt. We know what’s on our back and I know it’s not a situation of killing or saving boxing with this one fight. Does this fight brings 100 percent credibility to boxing? I say yes.”