Bernard Hopkins

Bernard Hopkins
Hopkins in 2010
Statistics
Real name	Bernard Humphrey Hopkins Jr
Nickname(s)	The Executioner B-Hop
Rated at	Middleweight Super Middleweight Light Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Nationality	American
Born	January 15, 1965 (1965-01-15) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	61
Wins	52
Wins by KO	32
Losses	5
Draws	2
No contests	2

Bernard Humphrey Hopkins Jr, known as The Executioner or "The Destroyer" (born January 15, 1965, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American boxer and the current Ring Magazine and WBC light heavyweight champion. He became the oldest boxer to ever win a world title, when at age 46, he defeated Jean Pascal on May 21, 2011 by a unanimous decision, surpassing the record previously held by George Foreman.

Hopkins is also the former undisputed world middleweight champion, and the first fighter to retain all 4 world titles of each major boxing sanctioning body, plus The Ring belt, in the same fight. Having defended a world middleweight title a record 20 times, he is considered one of the greatest middleweight champions of all time. The Ring ranked him #3 on their list of the "10 best middleweight title holders of the last 50 years."

In addition to being an active boxer, Hopkins is also a minority partner with Golden Boy Promotions.

Background

Born to Bernard Hopkins, Sr. and his wife Sue, Bernard grew up in the Raymond Rosen projects with his family. Hopkins turned to crime early in his life. By the age of thirteen he was mugging people and had been stabbed three times. At seventeen, Hopkins was sentenced to 18 years in Graterford Prison for nine felonies. While in prison he witnessed rapes and the murder of another inmate in an argument over a pack of cigarettes, but also discovered his passion for boxing. After serving almost five years, Hopkins was released from prison in 1988. He then decided to use boxing as an escape from his previous life, and converted to Islam. While leaving the prison for the final time, the warden told Hopkins he'd "see [Hopkins] again when you wind up back here," to which Hopkins replied "I ain't ever coming back here."

Professional career

He immediately joined the professional boxing ranks as a light heavyweight, losing his debut on October 11, 1988, in Atlantic City, New Jersey to Clinton Mitchell. After a sixteen-month layoff, he resumed his career as a middleweight, winning a unanimous decision over Greg Paige at the Blue Horizon on February 22, 1990.

Between February 1990 and December 1992, Hopkins scored 21 wins without a loss. He won 16 of those fights by knockout, 12 coming in the first round. This victorious sequence was halted when he lost to Roy Jones Jr. in 1993 for their first encounter.

Winning the IBF middleweight title

The IBF came again knocking at Hopkins's door on December 17 of that year, matching him with Segundo Mercado in Mercado's hometown of Quito, Ecuador. Mercado knocked Hopkins down twice before Hopkins rallied late and earned a draw. It has been argued that Hopkins was also not properly acclimated to the altitude of nearly 10,000 feet.

The IBF called for an immediate rematch, and on April 29, 1995, Hopkins became a world champion with a seventh-round technical knockout victory in Landover, Maryland.

In his first title defense he defeated Steve Frank, whom he stopped in twenty-four seconds. By the end of 2000, he had defended the IBF title 12 times without a loss, while beating such standouts as John David Jackson, Glen Johnson (undefeated at the time and later went on to knock out an aging Roy Jones Jr), Simon Brown, and Antwun Echols.

2001 middleweight unification tournament

The arrival of former welterweight and light middleweight champion Félix Trinidad into the middleweight ranks set off a series of unification fights between major middleweight title-holders. The boxers involved in the tournament would be reigning IBF champion Bernard Hopkins, WBC champion Keith Holmes, WBA champion William Joppy, and Félix Trinidad.

Hopkins vs Holmes

On April 14, 2001, Hopkins won a unanimous decision over WBC champion Keith Holmes in New York City. Trinidad, however, knocked out Middleweight mainstay William Joppy in an impressive five rounds. This led to many to believe that Felix Trinidad was simply too much, too strong for Bernard Hopkins.

Hopkins vs Trinidad

Main article: Bernard Hopkins vs Felix Trinidad

Then, on September 29, 2001, WBA champion Trinidad challenged Hopkins for middleweight unification in Madison Square Garden.

For the first time in many years, Hopkins was an underdog in the betting, which led the confident Hopkins to place a $100,000 bet on himself to win the bout. During promotion for the bout, Hopkins caused huge controversy by throwing the Puerto Rico flag on the floor in press conferences in both New York and Puerto Rico, the latter conference leading to a riot in which Hopkins had to be run to safety from the angry mob.

During the fight, Hopkins was on his way to a lopsided decision victory when, in the 12th and final round, he floored Trinidad. Referee Steve Smoger called a halt to the fight after Trinidad's father entered the ring to stop the fight. It was the first loss of Trinidad's career, and it made Hopkins the first undisputed world middleweight champion since Marvin Hagler in 1987. 'The Ring' magazine and the 'World Boxing Hall of Fame' named Hopkins as the 2001 Fighter of the Year.

Undisputed middleweight champion

He defended the undisputed title six times. Hopkins bested Carl Daniels on February 2 surpassing Carlos Monzon's division record of 14 defenses, 2002, by tenth-round technical knockout; Morrade Hakkar on March 29, 2003, by eighth-round TKO; William Joppy on December 13, 2003, by unanimous decision; and Robert Allen on June 5, 2004, also by unanimous decision.

Oscar De La Hoya

In the highest-paying fight of his career, Hopkins fought six-division titleholder Oscar de la Hoya, another welterweight for the undisputed middleweight championship on September 18, 2004, in Las Vegas. They fought at a catchweight of 158 lbs, two pounds below the middleweight limit of 160 lbs. Hopkins won the bout by knockout in the ninth round with a left hook to the body and thus became the first boxer ever to unify the titles of all four major sanctioning bodies. At the time of the stoppage, Hopkins was ahead on two of the scorecards, with De La Hoya ahead on the other.

In November 2004 de la Hoya invited Hopkins to join his boxing promotional firm, Golden Boy Promotions, as president of its new East Coast chapter.

Reaching number 20 - Howard Eastman

At 40 years old, an age at which most boxers are retired, Hopkins reached the middleweight record of 20 title defenses on February 19, 2005, against ranked #1 WBC Middleweight contender Howard Eastman, the European middleweight champion. Hopkins dominated the fight from start to finish, winning 119-110, 117-111 and 116-112.

Hopkins vs Taylor

Main article: Bernard Hopkins vs. Jermain Taylor I

In his next fight on July 16, 2005, Hopkins lost his undisputed middleweight championship to Jermain Taylor via a split decision. Hopkins started slowly but came on strong over the final four rounds. Many press row writers scored the fight for Hopkins. Compubox round-by-round punch stats showed Taylor outscoring Hopkins 6-5-1 in total punches. Hopkins out landed Taylor in power punches 78-50.

Compubox statistics indicated that Hopkins landed more overall punches and significantly more power shots over the course of the fight, however these statistics may not accurately reflect the judging as rounds are scored in isolation.

On December 3, 2005, Hopkins lost his rematch against Jermain Taylor by unanimous decision. All three judges scored the fight 115-113 for Taylor.

Moving up to light heavyweight

Tarver vs Hopkins

Following his two losses to Jermaine Taylor, Hopkins at 41 decided not to retire and made the decision to jump two weight divisions to face off against The Ring light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver on June 10, 2006. Going into the fight, Tarver was a 3-to-1 favorite and had been the first man ever to TKO Roy Jones Jr. Many now placed Tarver among the sports top competitors. He was constantly ranked in the P4P rankings. However, Bernard Hopkins picked up a lopsided unanimous decision, scoring 118-109 on all three judges scorecards.

Antonio Tarver also lost a $250,000 bet with Hopkins, after he failed to stop Hopkins in the first six rounds.

Hopkins vs Wright

On July 21, 2007, at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Hopkins defended The Ring light heavyweight championship against former undisputed junior middleweight champion Winky Wright. During the weigh-in, Hopkins shoved Wright with an open-hand to the face, igniting a brawl between both fighters' entourages. Hopkins was fined $200,000 for instigating the brawl. Hopkins prevailed with a unanimous decision victory by scores of 117-111, 117-111 and 116-112.

Hopkins vs Calzaghe

Main article: Bernard Hopkins vs. Joe Calzaghe

On April 19, 2008, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Hopkins lost The Ring light heavyweight title to Joe Calzaghe by split decision (116-111 and 115-112 for Calzaghe; 114-113 for Hopkins). Hopkins started the fight well, dropping Calzaghe in the first round and using his ring savvy to confuse the challenger. Calzaghe got up to showcase his blazingly fast hands and devastating combinations and despite the fact that Hopkins would smother him whenever he tried to come in and throw more than one punch, According to CompuBox, Calzaghe landed more punches on Hopkins than any of his previous opponents.

HBO's unofficial ringside judge Harold Lederman scored the bout 116-111 for Calzaghe.

The Associated Press, New York Daily News, Yahoo! Sports, ESPN.com and Fighthype all scored it 114-113 for Bernard Hopkins.

"It was a good fight. I thought Bernard (Hopkins) won though," commented former undisputed Heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson.

In his post-fight interview, Hopkins said, "... I mean it's clear that the world know, and the fans know other than the Brits, know I won this fight...", Hopkins further proclaimed, "I took the guy to school..."

Hopkins vs Pavlik

Main article: Bernard Hopkins vs. Kelly Pavlik

On October 18, 2008, Hopkins met middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik in a non-title fight at a catch-weight of 170 lbs. Fans and pundits alike felt that knockout king Kelly Pavlik would become the first man to knock Hopkins out. Pavlik was a 4-1 betting favourite heading into the contest. On the night of the fight, Hopkins turned back the clock to produce a performance he claimed to be the best of his career winning a unanimous decision (117-109, 119-106, 118-108) over the undefeated Pavlik. Hopkins prepared for this fight in the late summer heat at his second home, Danny Hawk's "World Famous" Normandy Gym in Miami Beach, FL.

Recent fights

During the Ricky Hatton vs. Manny Pacquiao media conferences before their fight on May 3, 2009, Bernard Hopkins stated he would be "interested" in a proposed fight with British super middleweight champion Carl Froch.

Enrique Ornelas

On December 2, 2009, Bernard Hopkins fought in his home city of Philadelphia for the first time since 2003 beating Enrique Ornelas via 12-round unanimous decision (120-109, 119-109 & 118-110) in what served as a tune-up bout for the 44-year old Hopkins who had not fought since his October 18, 2008 12-round upset victory over undisputed middleweight champion, Kelly Pavlik.

The bout was supposed to be a tune-up for a scheduled March 13, 2010 rematch with Roy Jones, Jr. The rematch was later postponed as a result of Jones, Jr. falling to a first round technical knockout loss to Australian, Danny Green.

Rematch with Roy Jones

Hopkins and old foe Roy Jones Jr. agreed to fight in a rematch on April 3, 2010 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The two boxers fought again 17 years after their first bout in 1993. Hopkins defeated Jones by a unanimous decision in a 12-round bout marred by illegal blows and a skirmish at the end of the sixth round involving ring entourage, the referee and security guards. Judges Don Trella and Glenn Trowbridge scored it 117-110 for Hopkins, while Dave Moretti favored him 118-109. The Associated Press had it 119-108, scoring 11 of 12 rounds for Hopkins.

He then challenged WBA Heavyweight Champion David Haye who had successfully defended his title against John Ruiz. Following Hopkins challenge, Haye ruled out the fight stating Bernard was only looking for a payday. Hopkins later stated his intentions to fight Lucian Bute following Bute's third round technical knockout victory over Edison Miranda. Golden Boy Promotions also tried to approach retired boxer Joe Calzaghe for a potential rematch in 2010, but Calzaghe, who stated he no longer had the appetite, turned the offer down.

Hopkins vs. Pascal I & II

Main article: Bernard Hopkins vs. Jean Pascal

At 45 years old, Hopkins fought WBC, IBO light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal on December 18, 2010 at the Colisée Pepsi in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The bout ended in a majority draw decision. Judge Steve Morrow had it 114-112 for Hopkins, but was overruled by Claude Paquette (113-113) and Daniel Van de Wiele (114-114). Following the controversy of the fight, WBC chairman Jose Sulaiman sanctioned an immediate rematch.

Main article: Jean Pascal vs. Bernard Hopkins II

On May 21, 2011, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada, Hopkins defeated Pascal by unanimous decision to capture the WBC, IBO, and The Ring Light Heavyweight belts. The official scores were 115–113, 116–112 and 115–114. With the win, Hopkins became the oldest man in the history of the sport to win a major world title, supplanting George Foreman, who had previously held the distinction after his knockout victory over Michael Moorer. Hopkins won at 46 years, 4 months, 6 days, while Foreman was 45 years, 10 months. After the bout, ESPN columnist Dan Rafael stated: "Bernard Hopkins already had lived several boxing lifetimes, but he was born yet again in Saturday's decision over Jean Pascal, becoming the oldest champion in history."

Bernard Hopkins vs. Chad Dawson

Main article: Bernard Hopkins vs. Chad Dawson

Hopkins told the world of boxing that his next fight was going to be against former champion Chad Dawson. They fought on 15 October 2011. Hopkins lost via TKO for being unable to continue after injuring his shoulder when Dawson threw him off of his back.

After an investigation by the WBC following a protest filed by Oscar De La Hoya, the WBC ruled that Dawson intentionally fouled Hopkins and returned the belt to Hopkins. The Ring magazine also decided to continue to recognize Hopkins as their champion pending the California State Athletic Commission’s ruling on a protest filed on behalf of Hopkins. Also on December 13, California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) has ruled that the decision will be overturned to a No Contest upon official review and the testimony of referee of the bout, Pat Russell.

Professional boxing record

52 Wins (34 knockouts, 18 decisions), 5 Losses, 2 Draws, 2 No Contest
Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Rd., Time	Date	Location	Notes
	52-5-2 2 NC	Chad Dawson	-	? (12)	April 28, 2012	Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA	Defends WBC, & The Ring light heavyweight titles on the line.
NC	52-5-2 2 NC	Chad Dawson	No Contest	2 (12), 2:48	October 15, 2011	Los Angeles, California	No Contest. It was originally ruled a TKO victory for Dawson but was overturned by the CSAC since Hopkins was unable to continue after getting thrown from a clinch. The WBC has ruled the fight a "technical draw" and still recognizes Hopkins as their champion.
Win	52-5-2 1 NC	Jean Pascal	Decision (unan.)	12	May 21, 2011	Montreal, Canada	Won The Ring and WBC Light Heavyweight titles. Awarded WBC Diamond belt.
Draw	51-5-2 1 NC	Jean Pascal	Draw (maj.)	12	December 18, 2010	Quebec City, Canada	For The Ring, WBC and WBC Diamond Light Heavyweight titles.
Win	51-5-1 1 NC	Roy Jones, Jr.	Decision (unan.)	12	April 3, 2010	Las Vegas, USA
Win	50-5-1 1 NC	Enrique Ornelas	Decision (unan.)	12	December 2, 2009	Philadelphia,PA
Win	49-5-1 1 NC	Kelly Pavlik	Decision (unan.)	12	October 18, 2008	Atlantic City, New Jersey
Loss	48-5-1 1 NC	Joe Calzaghe	Decision (split)	12	April 19, 2008	Las Vegas, Nevada	Lost The Ring Light Heavyweight title.
Win	48-4-1 1 NC	Ronald Wright	Decision (unan.)	12	July 21, 2007	Las Vegas, Nevada	Retained The Ring Light Heavyweight title.
Win	47-4-1 1 NC	Antonio Tarver	Decision (unan.)	12	June 10, 2006	Atlantic City, New Jersey	Won The Ring Light Heavyweight title.
Loss	46-4-1 1 NC	Jermain Taylor	Decision (unan.)	12	December 3, 2005	Las Vegas, Nevada	For WBC, WBA Super, WBO & The Ring Middleweight titles.
Loss	46-3-1 1 NC	Jermain Taylor	Decision (split)	12	July 16, 2005	Las Vegas, Nevada	Lost IBF, WBC, WBA Super, WBO & The Ring Middleweight titles.
Win	46-2-1 1 NC	Howard Eastman	Decision (unan.)	12	February 19, 2005	Los Angeles, California	Retained IBF, WBC, WBA Super, WBO & The Ring Middleweight titles.
Win	45-2-1 1 NC	Oscar De La Hoya	KO	9 (12), 1:38	September 18, 2004	Las Vegas, Nevada	Retained IBF, WBC, WBA Super, The Ring and won WBO Middleweight titles.
Win	44-2-1 1 NC	Robert Allen	Decision (unan.)	12	June 5, 2004	Las Vegas, Nevada	Retained IBF, WBC, WBA Super & The Ring Middleweight titles.
Win	43-2-1 1 NC	William Joppy	Decision (unan.)	12	December 13, 2003	Atlantic City, New Jersey	Retained IBF, WBC, WBA Super & The Ring Middleweight titles.
Win	42-2-1 1 NC	Morrade Hakkar	TKO	8 (12), 3:00	March 29, 2003	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	Retained IBF, WBC, WBA Super & The Ring Middleweight titles.
Win	41-2-1 1 NC	Carl Daniels	TKO	10 (12), 3:00	February 2, 2002	Reading, Pennsylvania	Retained IBF, WBC, WBA Super & The Ring Middleweight titles.
Win	40-2-1 1 NC	Félix Trinidad	TKO	12 (12), 1:18	September 29, 2001	New York City, New York	Retained IBF, WBC and won WBA Super Middleweight titles. Awarded vacant The Ring Middleweight title.
Win	39-2-1 1 NC	Keith Holmes	Decision (unan.)	12	April 14, 2001	New York City, New York	Retained IBF and won WBC Middleweight titles.
Win	38-2-1 1 NC	Antwun Echols	TKO	10 (12), 1:42	December 1, 2000	Las Vegas, Nevada	Retained IBF Middleweight title.
Win	37-2-1 1 NC	Syd Vanderpool	Decision (unan.)	12	May 13, 2000	Indianapolis, Indiana	Retained IBF Middleweight title.
Win	36-2-1 1 NC	Antwun Echols	Decision (unan.)	12	December 12, 1999	Miami, Florida	Retained IBF Middleweight title.
Win	35-2-1 1 NC	Robert Allen	TKO	7 (12), 1:18	February 6, 1999	Washington, D.C.	Retained IBF Middleweight title.
NC	34-2-1 1 NC	Robert Allen	No Contest	4 (12), 2:57	August 28, 1998	Las Vegas, Nevada	Retained IBF Middleweight title.
Win	34-2-1	Simon Brown	TKO	6 (12), 1:00	January 31, 1998	Atlantic City, New Jersey	Retained IBF Middleweight title.
Win	33-2-1	Andrew Council	Decision (unan.)	12	November 18, 1997	Upper Marlboro, MD	Retained IBF Middleweight title.
Win	32-2-1	Glen Johnson	TKO	11 (12), 1:23	July 20, 1997	Indio, California	Retained IBF Middleweight title.
Win	31-2-1	John David Jackson	TKO	7 (12), 2:22	April 19, 1997	Shreveport, Louisiana	Retained IBF Middleweight title.
Win	30-2-1	William Bo James	TKO	11 (12), 2:02	July 16, 1996	Atlantic City, New Jersey	Retained IBF Middleweight title.
Win	29-2-1	Joe Lipsey	KO	4 (12), 2:50	March 16, 1996	Las Vegas, Nevada	Retained IBF Middleweight title.
Win	28-2-1	Steve Frank	TKO	1 (12), 0:24	January 27, 1996	Phoenix, Arizona	Retained IBF Middleweight title.
Win	27-2-1	Segundo Mercado	TKO	7 (12), 1:10	April 29, 1995	Landover, MD	Won vacant IBF Middleweight title.
Draw	26-2-1	Segundo Mercado	Draw	12	December 17, 1994	Quito, Ecuador	For vacant IBF Middleweight title.
Win	26–2	Lupe Aquino	Decision (unan.)	12	May 17, 1994	Atlantic City, New Jersey	Retained USBA Middleweight title.
Win	25–2	Melvin Wynn	TKO	3, 0:48	February 26, 1994	Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win	24–2	Wendall Hall	TKO	3 (12), 0:28	November 23, 1993	Las Vegas, Nevada	Retained USBA Middleweight title.
Win	23–2	Roy Ritchie	TKO	7 (12), 1:47	August 3, 1993	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	Retained USBA Middleweight title.
Loss	22–2	Roy Jones, Jr.	Decision (unan.)	12	May 22, 1993	Washington, D.C.	For vacant IBF Middleweight title.
Win	22–1	Gilbert Baptist	Decision (unan.)	12	February 16, 1993	Denver, Colorado	Retained USBA Middleweight title.
Win	21–1	Wayne Powell	TKO	1 (12), 0:21	December 4, 1992	Atlantic City, New Jersey	Won vacant USBA Middleweight title.
Win	20–1	Eric Rhinehart	KO	1, 1:47	September 14, 1992	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win	19–1	James Stokes	KO	1	August 28, 1992	Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win	18–1	Anibal Miranda	Decision (unan.)	10	May 21, 1992	Paris, France
Win	17–1	Randy Smith	Decision (unan.)	10	April 3, 1992	Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win	16–1	Dennis Milton	TKO	4 (10)	January 31, 1992	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win	15–1	Willie Kemp	Decision (unan.)	10	December 13, 1991	Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win	14–1	David McCluskey	TKO	7 (10)	November 26, 1991	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win	13–1	Ralph Moncrief	TKO	1 (10), 1:28	September 23, 1991	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win	12–1	Danny Mitchell	KO	1	July 9, 1991	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win	11–1	Pedro Marquez	TKO	1	June 20, 1991	Parsippany, New Jersey
Win	10–1	Steve Langley	TKO	3 (6), 1:10	March 18, 1991	Las Vegas, Nevada
Win	9–1	Richard Quiles	KO	1 (6)	February 26, 1991	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win	8–1	Mike Sapp	TKO	1	November 17, 1990	Fort Myers, Florida
Win	7–1	Darrin Oliver	TKO	1	October 20, 1990	Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win	6–1	Percy Harris	Decision (unan.)	6	August 5, 1990	Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win	5–1	Khalif Shabazz	KO	1, 0:36	June 30, 1990	Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win	4–1	Jouvin Mercado	TKO	2 (4), 0:43	May 31, 1990	Rochester, New York
Win	3–1	Eddie Tyler	TKO	1	May 18, 1990	Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win	2–1	Keith Gray	TKO	1	April 26, 1990	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win	1–1	Greg Paige	Decision (unan.)	4	February 22, 1990	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Loss	0–1	Clinton Mitchell	Decision (maj.)	4	October 11, 1988	Atlantic City, New Jersey

Coaches

Hopkins has been coached by Philadelphia based English "Bouie" Fisher from 1989 until their split in 2002 which resulted in Fisher taking Hopkins to court, claiming he was underpaid by $255,000. They re-united in 2003, but split again in 2005, again with Fisher claiming to be underpaid, this time to the tune of $200,000. Naazim Richardson, Fishers long-term assistant took over as Hopkins' head coach from 2005. Fisher won the Eddie Futch-John F.X. Condon Award, awarded by the Boxing Writers Association of America, for Trainer of the Year in 2001. Bouie died aged 83 in June 2011.

Controversial quotes

In late 2010, Hopkins suggested that African American fighters who possessed what he described as a "slick" inner-city style of fighting would be successful against Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao. "Maybe I’m biased because I’m black, but I think that this is what is said at people’s homes and around the dinner table among black boxing fans and fighters. Most of them won’t say it [in public] because they’re not being real and they don’t have the balls to say it. But I do think that a fighter like the Ray Leonard's or anyone like that would beat a guy (like Pacquiao) if they come with their game. Listen, this ain’t a racial thing, but then again, maybe it is. But the style that is embedded in most of us black fighters, that style could be a problem to any other style of fighting."

On December 7, 2007, Hopkins and Calzaghe met face to face in the media room set up for the Floyd Mayweather, Jr. vs. Ricky Hatton fight. Hopkins and Calzaghe began shouting insults and taunting each other, with Hopkins shouting, "You're not even in my league! I would never let a white boy beat me. I would never lose to a white boy. I couldn't go back to the projects if I let a white boy beat me." Hopkins would later explain his comments, saying that it was not meant to be taken as a racial slur or a reflection of his feelings on white fighters, but simply said to create some hype for his fight with Calzaghe. On January 23, 2008, the fight was officially announced to take place on April 19, 2008, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

On May 11, 2011, Hopkins questioned Minnesota Vikings quarterback Donovan McNabb's racial credentials in a Philadelphia Daily News online article. Marcus Hayes of The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that according to Hopkins, McNabb had a privileged childhood in suburban Chicago and, as a result, is not black enough or tough enough, at least compared with, say, himself, Michael Vick and Terrell Owens. Hopkins saying in part, "He's got a suntan. That's all... McNabb is the guy in the house, while everybody else is on the field... He's the one who got the extra coat. The extra servings . . . He thought he was one of them."

See also

• List of IBF world champions
• List of WBA world champions
• List of WBO world champions
• List of WBC world champions
• Ring Magazine pound for pound

External links

• Professional boxing record for Bernard Hopkins from BoxRec

Achievements
Vacant Title last held by Reggie Johnson	USBA Middleweight Champion December 4, 1992 – 1994 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Robert Allen
Vacant Title last held by Roy Jones, Jr.	IBF Middleweight Champion April 29, 1995 – July 16, 2005	Succeeded by Jermain Taylor
Preceded by Keith Holmes	WBC Middleweight Champion April 14, 2001 – July 16, 2005
New title Unified titles against Félix Trinidad	WBA Middleweight Super Champion September 29, 2001 – July 16, 2005
Vacant Title last held by Marvin Hagler	Undisputed Middleweight Champion September 29, 2001 – July 16, 2005
Vacant Title last held by Sumbu Kalambay	The Ring Middleweight Champion September 29, 2001 – July 16, 2005
Preceded by Oscar De La Hoya	WBO Middleweight Champion September 18, 2004 – July 16, 2005
Preceded by Antonio Tarver	IBO Light Heavyweight Champion June 10, 2006 Immediately vacated	Vacant Title next held by Antonio Tarver
	The Ring Light Heavyweight Champion June 10, 2006 – April 19, 2008	Succeeded by Joe Calzaghe
Preceded by Jean Pascal	WBC Light Heavyweight Champion The Ring Light Heavyweight Champion May 21, 2011 - present	Incumbent
Sporting positions
Preceded by Roy Jones Jr.	Ring Magazine Pound-for-pound #1 Boxer 2004–2005	Succeeded by Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Awards
Preceded by Félix Trinidad	Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year 2001	Succeeded by Vernon Forrest
Preceded by Félix Trinidad	BWAA Fighter of the Year 2001	Succeeded by Vernon Forrest