Hopkins: "Only The Ring Can Retire Me"

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Middleweight great Bernard Hopkins (47-4, 32 KOs) is still trying to inch his way towards a heavyweight title shot againt WBC trinket keeper Oleg Maskaev. At the recent Swanson Communications Christmas party in Washington, Hopkins spoke to the Washington Times about some of his future fight options, and the desire to continue fighting.

Hopkins noted that he is not ready to retire. He feels that the time to retire is when his skills start to slip in the ring, but he does not see his skills slipping any time soon.

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"I want to fight on," said Hopkins "Rumble, young man, rumble. Until I get a busted lip. I've never had a busted lip my whole career. There will have to be a sign to show me when it is over. I've haven't seen it yet. The ring will speak to a fighter, and it hasn't spoken to me yet. The ring will retire a fighter."

Hopkins said that that talks for a bout with heavyweight champ Oleg Maskaev have not gone well. He thinks Maskaev's people must be backing off because of the consequences of losing to a career middleweight, but talks for the bout should resume in January - if alll goes well.

"Moscow doesn't want to be embarrassed by fighting Bernard Hopkins, a middleweight, and lose," he said. "Negotiations may get back on track in January."

Of course WBO super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe is a big money option, if Calzaghe moves up to light heavyweight in order to make the fight. Should Calzaghe fall through, Hopkins is willing to move up to the cruiserweight division to challenge the recognized champion, O'Neil Bell.

"The cruiserweight division hasn't been good since Evander Holyfield left it," Hopkins said. "O'Neil Bell is a respected fighter and cruiserweight champion. I can fight him and bring some credibility to the cruiserweight," Hopkins said.

The final choice is a revenge bout against his career rival, Roy Jones, Jr. They met in May 1993 at RFK Stadium, Jones won a unanimous decision. It was the only bout other than his pro debut, that he considers a legit loss on his record. Over the last few years, Jones has lost three times, twice by knockout. In June, Hopkins dominated Antonio Tarver to win the light heavyweight title. Tarver is also the man that beat Jones twice, including a two-round knockout. Even though Hopkins dominated the man that beat the man twice, he still wants to fight the man in order to gain true redemption for the loss suffered over thirteen years ago.

"I would like to redeem myself for that loss," Hopkins said. "Someone is going to have to show me my time is up. As of June 10, 2006, it was not up. I think I am the last one of the old Philly fighters, the ones like Bennie Briscoe who put in their time in the gym. They fought hard, and when they won the title it meant something to them and they worked hard to keep it. I am an old school fighter, and I know that taking care of yourself and being smart in the ring will bring you a long career."

Comments

Mishra100Sun Dec 24, 2006, 5:14 PM UTC

I wanted Bernard to keep his promise and retire, too, but this latest article- his quotes- they make too much sense to deny. It's just a very logical, simplistic take on life. Why stop doing what I love, what I'm good at, what makes me money until I have to? Bernard fought what was considered a prime Antonio Taever and easily beat him. Do you know he must feel? Like a self imposed exile from the sport is stopping him from having more money, more fame, more respect- and he may be right. If Bernard's body is denying age, if he is staying strong and quick enough to keep fighting...why not 'rage on'? It's a very honorable view point. Until he is in a fight that shows he need to retire, he won't. When we say, "Wow, Bernard looked a lot slower, a lot older tonight..." then he should hang it up. That isn't what we were saying after the Tarver fight. Because in boxing, the more you box the more you hurt yourself. If Hopkins would just stay retired then he knows his health is going to be okay. Boxing at such an old age increases the risk of injury. He has enough money, he should think about his body.

americanspiritSun Dec 24, 2006, 6:37 AM UTC

As soon as I see some visible decline in Bernard's game- I'm very pleased to see him continue. He may have faltered in Taylor II- but I see no real rust. Why not continue? He created a body through discipline that has less miles on it. It makes perfect sense to me..

EasyESun Dec 24, 2006, 6:33 AM UTC

Even if, he'll go out on his shield. He's not the kind of guy that will simply fold and wilt like an over matched, washed up Whitaker, Roy, or Holy. More than likely he'll stay too long, but he's still too mean to get his *** handed to him. I'm 100% sure he'd turn a boxing match into an outright steet brawl if that happens and if you see him fight Bell....it's over. That's easily a fight of the year candidate. Were talking about Bernard Hopkins here. Hes one of the most defensive minded and boring fighers of our era.

PigguSun Dec 24, 2006, 6:28 AM UTC

yeah because we know makeing promises to your dieing mom sure wont make you stop will it nard? Hahaha he's already broken that promise.

Njord777Sat Dec 23, 2006, 6:20 PM UTC

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