Hopkins says no to Ward

[The_Sandman]

Sorry, but I just dont agree with you. This kind of sentimentality undermines the integrity of the sport. They chose to be friends but they also choose to be professional boxers fighting as world champions one weight apart. If Hopkins beats all the other champs at his weight, then it forces a situation where something has to give. Being the world champion in boxing in your weight class automatically puts a target on your back and you are obliged as a champion to fight the best and the most worthy opponent.

Also if you are going to take the humane road and say you shouldnt fight anyone you love, then you could equally argue that it would be wrong to fight someone you hate or dislike. This view point has no merit or relevance to professional boxing.

I don't think it undermines the integrity of the sport. I (among everyone else including you) am a firm believer that fighters are human beings first, a father/son/brother/husband etc second, and a fighter third. If Hopkins doesn't fight Ward, it will not be the end of boxing. There are other fights out there. Would I want to watch it? Of course I would. But if I don't it's not a big deal. I can live with it. And boxing can live with it. I'm pretty sure you can live with it as well. I'm not going to discredit Hopkins for not fighting his friend, especially when everybody can live with it. Not everyone is going to think boxing is the number one priority in their life.

[Mike Haynes]

This is prizefighting. If someone offers these dudes $10M a piece it's on FOH.

[Prince_Pugilist]

Are you guys serious *****ing about a 48 year old man not fighting the (arguably) best fighter out there? Before this everyone said he'd lose and he's looking old, he won, NOW FIGHT ANDRE WARD. And because their friends and don't want to do it he's ducking. NO.
Hopkin's should start teaching Ward if anything.

Never said Hopkins looked old, in fact I was one of the few who said Hopkins looked in better shape than he had done against Dawson.

Having said all that, it's Hopkins himself who claims he can still, at 48 fight at the highest level and with a good fight against Cloud he has shown he is still a top level fighter. So why not fight Ward?

Who else is there at 175? A 3rd Dawson fight is NEVER happening, does he really want to fight Pascal? And will there be a Cloud rematch? A unification with Cleverly maybe? There are about 2 options there. Ward is a viable 3rd.

And it wasn't so long ago Hopkins challenged Haye

So I was just speaking from what I've heard Hopkins say himself. You can't say I'm willing to fight the best then say I'm not fighting the best.

But like I said, I won't hold it against Hopkins at 48.

[HangOver]

I would like to see Hopkins challenge Povetkin, Haye, or someone at Heavyweight if Hopkins was serious about moving up in weight.

[Prince_Pugilist]

I would like to see Hopkins challenge Povetkin, Haye, or someone at Heavyweight if Hopkins was serious about moving up in weight.

Hopkins was simply looking to get himself in the papers.

[BafanaBafana]

Did I hear correct? Did Hopkins say he would not fight Ward for nay amount of money? And did I hear him beg for a network in his interview. HAHA Not one of Hopkins bets interview moments.

So what do you guys think? Why does he not want to fight Ward?

It's funny because Ward actually said he was willing to fight Hopkins...

http://www.boxingscene.com/andre-ward-consider-facing-bernard-hopkins--63289

[Prince_Pugilist]

I think it could be a decent fight...damn we're talking about Hopkins at 48 fighting one of the best p4p. Legend.

[Jloro]

Never said Hopkins looked old, in fact I was one of the few who said Hopkins looked in better shape than he had done against Dawson.

Having said all that, it's Hopkins himself who claims he can still, at 48 fight at the highest level and with a good fight against Cloud he has shown he is still a top level fighter. So why not fight Ward?

Who else is there at 175? A 3rd Dawson fight is NEVER happening, does he really want to fight Pascal? And will there be a Cloud rematch? A unification with Cleverly maybe? There are about 2 options there. Ward is a viable 3rd.

And it wasn't so long ago Hopkins challenged Haye

So I was just speaking from what I've heard Hopkins say himself. You can't say I'm willing to fight the best then say I'm not fighting the best.

But like I said, I won't hold it against Hopkins at 48.

Alot of these guys these days say they'll fight the best and less then half the fights get made lol.

[Prince_Pugilist]

Alot of these guys these days say they'll fight the best and less then half the fights get made lol.

Half? I'd say a quarter. Especially now, the days of Chavez, DLH, Whitaker, Lewis are seemingly gone.

[Jim Tom]

Did I hear correct? Did Hopkins say he would not fight Ward for nay amount of money? And did I hear him beg for a network in his interview. HAHA Not one of Hopkins bets interview moments.

So what do you guys think? Why does he not want to fight Ward?

Interesting how Ward turned around right there and said he would fight Hopkins.