This week?s 98th edition of On the Ropes Boxing Radio featured an exclusive interview with highly regarded boxing trainer Nazim Richardson, who is currently preparing Bernard Hopkins (51-5-1, 32 KOs) to face WBC light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal (26-1, 16 KOs) on December 18 in Quebec, Canada. In addition to Hopkins, Richardson is also best known for training Sugar Shane Mosley and Steve ?USS? Cunningham. Richardson shared his thoughts on several topics, including Hopkins-Pascal, Steve Cunningham?s future, Shane Mosley, Pacquiao-Margarito, what it means to ?swim without getting wet?, and much more. Here are some excerpts from that interview:
His initial views on the Bernard Hopkins versus Jean Pascal fight coming together:
?Well, like I?ve said we throw the word around all the time, ?legend?, but it?s not used properly sometimes. I think it?s just out of context. When you?re talking about Bernard Hopkins you?re really talking about a certified legend. There are guys who?ve won championships and tournaments, but very few guys have been able to fight into their later years like he has as effectively and keeping himself current with what?s going on. He?s never embarrassed himself. He?s out there competing with these young guys and that?s important for the older fighters, not embarrassing themselves. So he?s a throwback to the Archie Moores and guys of that cloth.?
On when he thinks we will finally see significant signs of decline in Bernard Hopkins:
?When it comes to Bernard Hopkins you?ll never get a chance to see his decline. You guys will neve
