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By Jake Donovan - “Don’t call it a comeback; I’ve been here for years.”
From LL Cool J’s lips to the mainstream’s ears, a catchphrase was born at the same time the rapper’s career was revived. The opening lines to the smash hit “Mama Said Knock You Out” continues to be belted out by many an athlete, particularly boxers, long after the single was released in 1991, shortly after he dropped the album of the same name the year prior.
In boxing circles, the line is most often heard when a fighter is returning following a first and/or devastating loss. One loss does not a career ruin, suggests said boxer, usually insisting it was an off night and that they’re still the king of the world.
What they don’t realize – or perhaps just fail to acknowledge – is that everyone listening knows better. Much like we knew that it was a comeback for LL all those years ago, it is a comeback for those in pursuit of past glory.
Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. One in particular is Bernard Hopkins, the longest reigning middleweight titlist in boxing history and still hovering around the top of the lightweight and pound for pound rankings. He’s resided at the latter for nearly the entire decade, save for a brief spell in 2005 and for a few months earlier this year.
Strangely enough, his name is also appearing after the words “Comeback of the Year” in year-end awards from various media outlets, which begs the question: [details]
From LL Cool J’s lips to the mainstream’s ears, a catchphrase was born at the same time the rapper’s career was revived. The opening lines to the smash hit “Mama Said Knock You Out” continues to be belted out by many an athlete, particularly boxers, long after the single was released in 1991, shortly after he dropped the album of the same name the year prior.
In boxing circles, the line is most often heard when a fighter is returning following a first and/or devastating loss. One loss does not a career ruin, suggests said boxer, usually insisting it was an off night and that they’re still the king of the world.
What they don’t realize – or perhaps just fail to acknowledge – is that everyone listening knows better. Much like we knew that it was a comeback for LL all those years ago, it is a comeback for those in pursuit of past glory.
Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. One in particular is Bernard Hopkins, the longest reigning middleweight titlist in boxing history and still hovering around the top of the lightweight and pound for pound rankings. He’s resided at the latter for nearly the entire decade, save for a brief spell in 2005 and for a few months earlier this year.
Strangely enough, his name is also appearing after the words “Comeback of the Year” in year-end awards from various media outlets, which begs the question: [details]
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