Why does a near 50 year old Hopkins have the passion others lack?

I am amazed how an old man like Hopkins can remain motivated and so full of fiery passion for boxing for such a long time. What's driving him? Certainly it can't be money, Bernard unless he's a complete fool financially should be sitting on many tens of million dollars by now.

Why can't guys like Pavlik, Abraham, Povetkin or Solis just be 10% of what Hopkins epitomizes? It seems many of the younger boxers that are gifted with some talent just love to slack off once they get their first pay check and then drift into oblivion. No discipline, no hunger, no willingness to sacrifice.

It's not that today's boxers aren't talented. They just aren't as bad ass tough and passionate as old-school fist fighters like ole' Bernard.

My hat is off to the grandmaster. May he inspire some future young boxers to do likewise.

 

there are plenty of boxers out there who have fire in their guts: cheating shane mosley, juan manuel marquez, barrera, the klitschko brothers and a bunch of others i cant even name right now.

 

legacy

 

Even if you're rich, you can get motivated by more money.

Hopkins is just amazing with his dedication to training. Like many fighters, he's so used to boxing that he can't give it up. He's been doing it professionally for over 20 years.

I remember reading an article a couple months after the Tarver fight, when Hopkins said he was retiring, and Hopkins kept talking about how bored he was and missed the sport already. He already missed training for a fight.

 

Hopkins is one of those guys that is just a natural winner, wont accept defeat and has the talent to back it up. I'd be over the moon if Hopkins goes on to beat Pascal in a rematch and then calls it a day

As for the fighters you mentioned; Abraham is probably fighting in a division he shouldn't be- given the talent at 168 now. The best is yet to come from Povetkin, I'm sure of that. He knows if he faces a Klitschko now, he will lose. Him and his team are content to play the waiting game, frustrating as it is for a fan. Solis epitomises everything you have said though. He will take his shot, lose badly to old Vitali (a great professional) and probably then **** off with his money. As long as he doesn't get hold of a belt somehow he is just another mandatory defence and a footnote in boxing history

 

Exactly. I remember something about him calling Nazim asking when are we going to start training, and Nazim was trying to tell him that he didn't have to anymore.

He is a consummate professional (until you get him talking about MMA).

 

His discipline over the years and sacrifices he has had to make.

Most fighters when they are rich go clubbing and lead that glamorous lifestyle.
But Bernard is truly old school, he doesnt drink or smoke, has always restricted himself on women (married early i think), he's almost always home before midnight (according to him), and he eats perfectly.

^^Because of those assets he feels that he owes himself a greater legacy because of his discipline


Another reason is that hes a Capricorn. Most capricorn fighters fight till theres no fight in them left
- Ali
- Foreman
- Frazier
- Roy Jones Jr
- Patterson

 

bhop has about 6 "ok" rounds and all of a sudden he's the face of boxing...hahahaahah get outta here with that ****....what about his other nasty, dirty fights...or his racist ass comments.....**** HIM

 

This is an easy answer....because he is a Capricorn...oh wait, I see someone else beat me to it...


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It's the 'System'. Obama should text-message him 'Chill man, I got this!'

 

Maybe a lot have the desire to carry on but know when the body tells them its time to stop and that they don't want to end up with any problems so may as well retire if have the money. Hopkins looks like still has some ability to go on and has money but he should retire also as the wrong fight could cause him problems.

 

He hasn't lost his urge to fight.

 

Hopkins is motivated by pride more than anything, that is what keeps him going and trying to further his legacy. Plus he just loves to be the guy to shock you, he seems to enjoy it much more when he beats somebody when he is a big under-dog, it seems to kick him into another level.

 

Very few fighters go out on top. Most do not retire until after they take a couple of bad beatings. Hopkins has never even seen his own blood in the ring. I think that has a lot to do with his willingness to continue.

 

boxing saved hopkins from the streets and appealed to the violence he had grown accustomed to. it also allowed him to use everything the streets taught him, slickness, determination, deception, analyzing potential opponents, intelligence beyond books, intimidation, understanding of mental battles, dirty fighting, resilience, and one of his favorites, the element of surprise. it gave him avenues that the streets couldn't and he took full advantage of it. hopkins has made it a mission to do for boxing what boxing has done for him. he is a legend and a first class person. much respect to my boy. there is nothing like overcoming the odds. some people always have the odds in their favor. they will never understand hopkins drive. of course, hopefully he doesn't flirt with the odds too much, but much respect to my boy.