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Look at Hopkins talking about commitment and desire and getting knocked out by Antonio Tarver to a big group of kids in New Orleans. The man goes from being the biggest bad guy in the sport to a hero within 6 months? I do not get it 
From *********, Bernard Hopkins luh da kids:
http://www.ufc*********.com/hop9.htm
Bernard Hopkins began preparations for his upcoming historic bout with Antonio Tarver by selecting New Orleans as the preferred site of his grueling eight-week training camp.
In his last week of camp, Hopkins invited a group of students from the Benjamin Banneker Elementary School to join him for a brief workout in which he discussed the importance of commitment and desire.
"I selected New Orleans as a training camp to help support the community and people who are recovering from their losses," Hopkins outlined. "After what these kids have been through with Hurricane Katrina, I'm sure I can learn a few lessons about stamina and perseverance from them too."
Hopkins spoke of a path to success that was paved by determination and courage.
"My life is no different than yours," Hopkins stated. "Like boxing, in life you have to duck. Duck the bad situations you see, duck the bad people trying to tell you wrong, duck the corners round the way that lead to nowhere."
While the north and south might differ in many ways, the similarities of poverty and it's root causes unite the inner-city streets of north Philly with the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans. Hopkins was raised on the streets and he graduated from a federal penitentiary, but he explained how he found his way in life though a steadfast work ethic and a devout faith in Islam.
"You have to persevere through Katrina," Hopkins instructed, "use it as your first major lesson in life."
Hopkins explained how values begin at home and that a solid paternal foundation coupled by caring, concerned educators is the best avenue of escape from the inner city woes.
"[Your] teachers and parents are similar to my coaches," Bernard confided. "You have to listen to them -- stay out of harms way -- then you can be anything you want. But your team -- like mine -- are your coaches, teachers and parents. Listen and let them be your guides. Just like my boxing trainers, they are trying to tell you the right thing so you don't get knocked out and find yourself in prison -- dead or walking dead -- which means you are on drugs. To not get knocked out, so you can be a great athlete, professional or anything else you want to be...you have to stay in the game, be true to yourself and be someone."
With the wounds of Katrina still fresh, Hopkins gave words of encouragement to the children of New Orleans. Although he was born thousands of miles away, the children quickly adopted him as their own champion, both in and out of the ring.
From *********, Bernard Hopkins luh da kids:
http://www.ufc*********.com/hop9.htm
Bernard Hopkins began preparations for his upcoming historic bout with Antonio Tarver by selecting New Orleans as the preferred site of his grueling eight-week training camp.
In his last week of camp, Hopkins invited a group of students from the Benjamin Banneker Elementary School to join him for a brief workout in which he discussed the importance of commitment and desire.
"I selected New Orleans as a training camp to help support the community and people who are recovering from their losses," Hopkins outlined. "After what these kids have been through with Hurricane Katrina, I'm sure I can learn a few lessons about stamina and perseverance from them too."
Hopkins spoke of a path to success that was paved by determination and courage.
"My life is no different than yours," Hopkins stated. "Like boxing, in life you have to duck. Duck the bad situations you see, duck the bad people trying to tell you wrong, duck the corners round the way that lead to nowhere."
While the north and south might differ in many ways, the similarities of poverty and it's root causes unite the inner-city streets of north Philly with the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans. Hopkins was raised on the streets and he graduated from a federal penitentiary, but he explained how he found his way in life though a steadfast work ethic and a devout faith in Islam.
"You have to persevere through Katrina," Hopkins instructed, "use it as your first major lesson in life."
Hopkins explained how values begin at home and that a solid paternal foundation coupled by caring, concerned educators is the best avenue of escape from the inner city woes.
"[Your] teachers and parents are similar to my coaches," Bernard confided. "You have to listen to them -- stay out of harms way -- then you can be anything you want. But your team -- like mine -- are your coaches, teachers and parents. Listen and let them be your guides. Just like my boxing trainers, they are trying to tell you the right thing so you don't get knocked out and find yourself in prison -- dead or walking dead -- which means you are on drugs. To not get knocked out, so you can be a great athlete, professional or anything else you want to be...you have to stay in the game, be true to yourself and be someone."
With the wounds of Katrina still fresh, Hopkins gave words of encouragement to the children of New Orleans. Although he was born thousands of miles away, the children quickly adopted him as their own champion, both in and out of the ring.
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