Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins will be stepping into the ring at the age of 47 for the 62nd fight of his professional career. Although age may soon catch up with Hopkins, he is convinced that it won’t be happening this weekend. “They were calling me old when I beat Trinidad 11 years ago” said Hopkins during a round table with the media on Thursday.
The former undisputed middleweight champion of the world was 36 years old when he faced then unbeaten Felix “Tito” Trinidad in September of 2001, a fight in which Hopkins was also the underdog in. Hopkins went on to put on a brilliant performance against Trinidad over the course of 12 rounds before stopping him in the closing moments of the bout.
For his part, Hopkins understands that he may not be the favorite to win and everything on paper leads many to believe that Dawson has all the advantages but he believes he possesses more talent. “This fight all you hear is Chad is bigger. Chad is stronger. Not that he is more talented.”
The future of both Hopkins and Dawson’s career, as well as the light heavyweight division shall be determined tomorrow night. Both men are considered top notch light heavyweights and Hopkins believes he is the last fighter of the past generation to continue to lace up the gloves. “”I’m a throw back. I live in a time where it is so microwavable that there is no time to cook, season, chop or marinate any more. I’m the last of a dying breed.”
