Interesting article I read:
Source: http://www.boxingconfidential.com/articles.php?id=4322
It’s been named the “Dream Team” reminiscent of the name given to first, NBA-based USA Olympic basketball team comprising of past greats such as Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, and Tim Hardaway.
In Bernard Hopkins’ case, his “Dream Team” involves world renown fitness/conditioning coach Mackie Shilstone, southpaw specialist-John David Jackson, long-time cornerman/trainer-Nazeem Richardson, and overall ring professor-Freddie Roach. Some people might feel as though it might be too many cooks in the kitchen, but for Team Hopkins it seems to be clicking on all cylinders as the veteran Philly fighter prepares for next Saturday’s monumental showdown with Joe Calzaghe.
I was able to chime into today’s conference call involving Mackie Shilstone and Nazeem Richardson.
Here are some summarized notes on the call:
Nazeem Richardson
On how Joe Calzaghe measures up against the past southpaws Hopkins has seen: Joe can tend to remind me of a fighter and more specifically a fight such as Sugar Ray Leonard versus Marvin Hagler. Joe tends to move a lot leading the viewer to focus on him rather than as a fight as a whole. When there are dead spots within each round, he’s always doing something so it gives the average viewer the perception that he’s staying busier and being effective.
On the mentality going into this bout: Hopkins has stood across from other fighters already considered great by the boxing public. He’s been in there on the biggest stages and under the brightest of lights. He’s seen bigger challenges than this. Joe can’t say the same as he’s never been in there with a fighter considered legitimately great. This will be the first truly great fighter he steps in the ring with.
On the difference between Bouie Fischer’s original camp and the one today: Bernard has been in this game along time. He has a great boxing mind and while we do everything we can to help, he just knows exactly what to soak up. I haven’t spoken with Bouie in quite a while and haven’t heard about his opinion of the fight. You have to remember that Bernard also had a great trainer before Bouie when he was involved in the prison system. At this point there’s not many changes to be made with the man.
Mackie Shilstone
On Bernard’s current physical make-up: We’ve done numerous and various tests on Bernard and he is one healthy and finely tuned athlete. While a lot of people go strictly by age stating that he’s 43 years old, I’ve worked with over 3000 athletes and I can honestly say that he has the physical health and ability of a 27 year old man.
On Hopkins’ discipline and dedication: A lot of people can learn from Bernard Hopkins. I’ve learned from Bernard Hopkins. He carries himself as one of the most discipline people I’ve ever had the pleasure of worked with or even been around. I’ve been in my line of work a long time and I’ve never seen anything like it. One day we were at the store and he started educating me as to the anti-oxidant qualities of pomegranate juice.
It was an interesting call being that both men seemed to be completely on the same page when it came decisiveness in answering questions and their view of “The Executioner”. While it might seem unusual being that boxing is a one-man sport and it’s usual to see one lead trainer at the helm of each team, it’s almost as if each member of the “Dream Team” completely understands their role and does so in the most unselfish manner possible.
As Shilstone stated during the conference call, “It’s more like a family.”
Well, it seems so far that this family is operating more like the Brady Bunch rather than the Mayweather Mob in recent times.
We will see if it’s enough to solve the complicated puzzle that is Joe Calzaghe next Saturday.
Bernard is in superlative shape, no doubt, but lets get real: all the pomegranate juice in world isn't going to keep his reflexes from deteriorating or his stamina from draining.
Even if he does everything right in terms of conditioning, and he probably does, he will fall off that cliff someday.
We've already seen his stamina begin to take a big hit (which is why he throws so seldomly), and only his brilliance as boxer lets him get away with that..for now.
He seemed to have his reflexes with Winky. Does he still have them now? I think it can be quite surprising how fast a boxer can go from merely "post prime" to shot/done.
As Sugar Ray Robinson said;
“You always say "I'll quit when I start to slide," and then one morning you wake up and realize you've done slid.”
Those are good people to have in your corner and Calzaghe can joke about it, but having that much boxing knowledge cannot be a bad thing.
Hopkins is a machine.
....Yep and I bet it even wins him a round or two in the process. Never mind the other ten or so.
The only pace Joe is going to set is the (who can come up with the fastest excuse for getting my ass kicked) pace.
Would you take offense if I rubbed your left thigh?
I will be curious to see how young he looks in rounds 9-12.
Lets not forget TWICE he had a gassed out Taylor in front of him in the champiohship rounds and TWICE he did not havethe juice to finish the fight off.
Joe is going to set a pace that Bernard has never fought at before, the great fighters that his trainers are referring to are Oscar, Roy and Tito and all three fought at a snails pace.
Bernard will be 43 years old fighting at the toughest pace of his career...cant wait to see how his young body reacts.