Is Bernard Hopkins an Inspiration?

I do not like the man or the boxer, yet I think he is an inspiration to a certain degree. I myself have spent some time in prison, which for 99% of the inmates is a revolving door, once you've been there one time, you're almost sure to be back...It's extremely easier to judge a man and say he shouldn't be doing this or that than to walk in his shoes and understand the circumstances behind his actions. What he did was wrong, no doubt, but he paid for it and didn't fall back in the trap like far too many young men these days. He became a productive member of society. In my case I was young, I was dumb, and I didn't have much going well for me, but I paid the price and no longer lead that kinda life nor associate with others who do. Now I'm no hero, I'm not rich and famous as he is and doubt I will "inspire" anyone with this post, but a man in his position can do so, especially to the youth of inner-city america...even so, **** him..

 

He can come across as a ***** sometimes,but the shape he is always in and the way he turned his life round should inspire people.He is a great example of what you can achive through hard work.

 

He is an inspiration to all aspiring dickheads world wide. And for boxers who can fight as lame as they want and still make good money.

Hopefully Captain Hook brings the heat and hooks this **** into retirement.

 

He is a racist sore loser! i hope Roy Jones boxes his ass into retirement!

 

his actions not his words

 

Yeah, he's most definitely in the position to inspire people, but yet...Doesn't. The only thing I can really imagine him inspiring through his words, and actions (minus the fact he made something of himself after jail) would be racist, dirty people.
Yeah, everybody makes mistakes, and everybody does/ says things they regret, but we aren't on a world stage. Also, the OP made a thread talking about him inspiring people...Otherwise I would keep my mouth shut about the subject. Since I'm on it though I'll tell my opinion.
The man is a good fighter, he's in awesome shape at his age, etc. I give him credit for all that. He's a dirty fighter though, and it's not that he just trash talks (like Mayweather/ ali) the man is seriously racist, and does things that are unacceptable no matter who he is!

 

Whats the point of prisons if we don't want people to come out of them reformed and go on to become valuable members of society?

atsch

The guy is a ****in success story, because of his own hard graft.

 

You bring up a good point. He is in a position to inspire, but doesn't neccessarily do so. Now I can't sit here and say for sure cause I don't know whether he does or doesn't, but personally if I were in his position I would do my very best to use my influence as a famous athlete for the good of the community, like going to schools, boys and girls clubs, etc. and talking to young people. You and I can do the same but wouldn't nearly be able to make an impact that a professional athlete could...who the hell wants to listen to us??

And yes he is a racist and I still say, and will always say **** him for throwing my flag on the ground...

 

his story is inspirational but it is not unique to him their are plenty of athletes in particular fighters who have overcome hardships to be successful, i like bernard but i dont love him because he is a dirty fighter, who does resort to any tactic possible to win, and he is a sore loser and he is way to bitter at this point in his life than any man should be who has the success and wealth that he has.

 

i dont thinke he is a racist but i think everyone knows if calzaghe had said il never let a black boy beat me he would of been crucified, its just a prime example of the double standard in society involving race, black people specifically high profile black americans get a lot more slack in terms of whether they are racist or not when in fact just like many white people are many black people are racist as well

 

Minter said exactly the same thing to Hagler

 

absolutely.

 

His life is no inspiration to me, he has always been a dickhead and still is. He went to prison for a reason, because he was a thug.
In terms of being a fantastic athlete and great boxer then yes he is an inspiration.

 

Yeah in three ways:
became something after prison. most ex-cons don't.
Shows that you can do what you want in life as long as you believe.(and the ref isn't looking, lol)
and an inspiration to guys in their 40's that say they can't keep up with the young guys.

An extra one is that he is dedicated to training and that inspires all of use gym lovers.

 

Most definitely.