By Lem Satterfield
Former two division champion Bernard Hopkins is never afraid to speak his mind. So it came at no surprise when Hopkins gave his opinion on the question that many black fighters are afraid to discuss in public - "when will Manny Pacquiao face a top notch black fighter." There has always been that lingering rumor circulating around in the sport, that Pacquiao and his handlers were avoiding African American fighters who fought with a "slick boxing" type of style.
"Maybe I'm biased because I'm black, but I think that this is what is said at people's homes and around the dinner table among black boxing fans and fighters. Most of them won't say it [in public] because they're not being real and they don't have the balls to say it," said Hopkins.
"But I do think that a fighter like like the Ray Leonards or anyone like that would beat a guy [like Pacquiao] if they come with their game. Listen, this ain't a racial thing, but then again, maybe it is. But the style that is embedded in most of us black fighters, that style could be a problem to any other style of fighting."
Michael Koncz, who is Pacquiao's adviser, says the Filipino champion is not avoiding any boxer in the sport, black or otherwise. Pacquiao and his team select their opponents based on a boxer's drawing power and fan following.
"Manny has nothing left to prove to anybody. I would say to hell with all of those guys who are talking. Manny has done more than anybody in boxing than anybody has ever imagined. He has the right to select his opponents. These black fighters, you know, we're not prejudiced. We don't care if they're black, green or blue," said Koncz.
"All that we care about is what fighter has a following. When these fighters that are crying about fighting Manny develop a following, and can prove to us, statistically, that it's economically feasible, then we will have no problem fighting them. But until then, they can cry all that they want."
Lem Satterfield is the boxing editor at AOL FanHouse and the news editor at BoxingScene.com. To read more from Lem Satterfield, go to AOL FanHouse by Clicking Here .