Mike Cassell: What is going on with those pictures of Oscar De La Hoya on the internet. The media is really grabbing onto it. Are those pictures real? Bernard Hopkins: My opinion is, It’s the price of fame. It’s the price of being in the spotlight. You know, a lot of things come along. If you do not have thick skin in this business, you will not make it. What if They come out next week with Bernard Hopkins in a wig and a dress. That comes along with the territory. I’m not asking for it, but you have to pick and choose your battles. I talked to Oscar, and he told me that, absolutely, 100%, those pictures were Photoshop, and the people involve wanted money. continue: http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=12684&more=1
Good interview. I agree with almost everything he says, although I would slightly favor Pavlik against Kessler. But then again, what the **** do I know.
I like that he didn't harp so much on his fights with Taylor. he did mention them but didn't ***** so much about what he clearly feels was a bad decision and focused more on the fights with Winky, Spinks and Ouma. I disagree with the opinion that he ruined Taylor though, I think that Taylor has looked worse since fighting him because the cometition has been tougher, I mean he reallyl hadn't fought anyone worth mentioning before Bernard.
Maybe earlier in Hopkins career he doesnt, but now Pavlik outworks him by throwing all dem punches and the cumulative damage will lead to stoppage, Bhops is old, hes still very solid but this is boxing, he wont be able to hold up.
The more i watch the Hopkins/Taylor fights, the more i have to side with Hopkins. There's no denying that the rounds Hopkins lost, he lost simply due to inactivity. And you have to fault him for that. But there is no denying that Hopkins landed the much more cleaner shots in both fights.
Mike Cassell Kelly Pavlik. The kid filled boardwalk Hall, and destroyed Jermain Taylor. Is this the real deal? Bernard Hopkins Its hype, because he was in there with a guy who was made, or created.Dont get me wrong, Pavlik is good, but he was in there with a guy (Taylor) that was made by the industry, with talent, but still a creation. In the end, Pavlik was good enough to go in there and expose Taylor, and take him out. And it goes to show you, if Pavlik didnt knock him out, the judges had Taylor ahead, and he was on his way to another bogus victory. I watched that fight 8 or 9 times since Saturday. I couldnt believe they had Taylor ahead. Mike Cassell So Taylor is an industry created guy that got a lot of breaks? Bernard Hopkins Absolutely, I believe he got a huge break in the Winky Wright fight. He fought to what they said was a draw. He didnt lose his belts. The fact is that, if you didnt knock Jermain Taylor out, you werent going to win. The worst thing that would happen is a draw. A draw is a win for him. A draw in our first fight would have been a win for me. I could have kept my titles. They kept those belts around him, milingk that status until he can move up in weight and fight Joe Calzaghe. Now thats out the window. Mike Cassell Bernard, it seemed as if after Taylor went 24 rounds with you, he was not the same fighter. He was tearing everybody up, and then seemed to stall in his last few fights. Bernard Hopkins One word, gun shy... Watching him, it reminded me of a basketball player tearing through a guard, and he just backs up out of the way, and not just this fight, but the fight before it. Cory Spinks, a smaller guy, had him backing up, and so did Kassim Ouma. Twenty four rounds with me, took a lot of confidence out of him, and changed him physically. An athlete, a true athlete may say and do what they say and do in front of the media. But when we are alone, we know in our heart the truth. It bothers us, you know? He knows that his fights with me, the Winky fight, and his fights with Ouma and Spinks, were not good fights, and deep in his heart, he knows he lost a few. He cant run from that, and he carried that into the ring with him. Had had that doubt. Could not have said any better myself. :deal The whole interview is on the main page.
THe question is can Pavlik take clean punches from BHOP at 175?? Taylor had him nearly out at 160, when Taylor could not hurt Spinks ot LittleOuma.
Yeah but that was because Taylor is faster and throw quick combinations, Hopkins is not faster than Taylor, and Hopkins doesnt hit harder than Miranda. Pavlik at this point looks like he would get beat by someone that outworks him and thats something that is very difficult to do.
Even at 42, BHops is still faster than Pavlik, bigger now too. I didnt hear Hops call Pavlik out though.