Hopkins may be declining physically since Tarver...

[βetamax]

I make it no secret that I'm a big Hopkins fans but I must say that I'm a little worried now after an interview between the trainers and press. From the transcript:

John Chavez: All right thanks Naazim. I had one real quick question for Mackie. You spoke, very recently about stating the truth and not having to hype up a fight. You worked with Bernard two years ago. Are you honestly stating that we will see a better physical specimen than the Antonio Tarver fight that you worked with him?

Mackie Shilstone: Well I really look at it this way. I don't like to compare one fight to another or one situation because they are totally different. The way I look at it is two men are going to get into a ring – which is a theater of operation very similar to combat – of course there are no heroes in boxing. And no one is defending their country for freedom. But it basically is war. And inside that 20 by 20 theater of operation two men are going to get together. And with all the benefits of Mr. Enzo Calzaghe who is a wonderful trainer and won Trainer of the Year and so forth and so on. And with the esteemed colleagues of mine – as I'm sure Brother Naazim will tell you. These two men are going to get in there and have to size each other up. And that's where it really starts. Bernard's going to go in there and do what he needs to do in a manner consistent that he surmises from seeing what the opponent is doing. And his body becomes relevant – if it becomes relevant – it is his mind, it is his inner drive, it is his instinct that will far out weigh anything to do with the body or what it looks like.

Sounds like a typical run-around type of answer where the question is never answered. Shilstone also says that Hopkins in the physical condition of a 27-28 year old but what does that mean? Pro athletes are physical freaks so if this simply means the average 27-28 year old, then that's not exactly good news. Is the same Bernard Hopkins of 27-28? I think it's pretty obvious he's not. I didn't think he looked quite as quick on his feet after Tarver but I was hoping that was from Shilstone not being with him. There is also no training footage from media day which also makes me nervous.

Then again people seem to forget that Calzaghe is also at the age where most boxers start to decline so there is a chance he could start to look older on feet this time, especially since he's moving up in weight. I know the Kessler fight wasn't that long ago but neither was the Wright fight, where Hopkins looked descent on his feet, so we'll have to see.

[xEDDIEx]

what a bs answer. talk about ducking the question

[Kris Silver]

Yea some politicians would have to be on a good day to answer in such a long winded dodging, off topic fashion. I said some.

I too wondered what they meant aswell, by fitness of "A 28 year old man". No they don't say a 28 year old Hopkins, or even athlete, they just say man, which if anything inters average man.

Truth probably lays somewhere in between, perhaps he has the body of a 35 year old athlete, same as Calzaghe's current actual age. Age+experience suites his style and minimal movement though. Both probs have a year until they see any serious fitness decline imo. Which is in line with both saying, 1/2 more fights and thats it.