MANILA, Philippines ? In a sport where color has never been a major issue, some people still contend that a fighter?s race has a huge role with what he can do on top of the ring.
Count in veteran boxer Bernard Hopkins among them.
Right after Manny Pacquiao?s bloody demolition of the bigger and much heavier Antonio Margarito last Sunday, Hopkins came out claiming that any black fighter will surely be able to deal the eight-division champion from the Philippines a beating should he face one in his next bout.
“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,? the 45-year-old Hopkins said in a story quoted by Lem Satterfield of Fanhouse. ?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.”
?I do think that a fighter like the Ray Leonards or anyone like that would beat a guy [like Pacquiao] if they come with their game,” he added.
Hopkins, who will have WBC light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal as his foe on December 18, has downplayed Pacquiao?s string of victories ?which has now improved to 13 straight since winning over Hector Velasquez on September 2005 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California ? and has been calling out Pacquiao to challenge notable African-American fighters, particularly the unbeaten Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
He has even disregarded Pacquiao?s March 2010 victory over Ghana?s Joshua Clottey, saying that ?Clottey is ‘black,’ but not a ‘black boxer’ from the states with a slick style. So you can’t really say that Clottey is an African-American fighter in that sense.?
“No, I’m talking about an inner city, American-born fighter who has the style of maybe a Floyd Mayweather or a Zab Judah or a Shane Mosley,” Hopkins said.
With this, he believes that Mayweather, Jr. will surely beat Pacquiao if ever their dream match becomes a reality.
?Floyd Mayweather would beat Manny Pacquiao because the styles that African American fighters would be successful,” Hopkins revealed. “I think Floyd Mayweather would pot-shot Pacquiao and bust him up in between the four-to-five punches that Pacquiao throws and then set him up later on down the line.”
Pacquiao has been tagged as the ?Mexicutioner? mainly due to his dominant victories over Mexico?s boxing heroes, such as Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, Oscar De La Hoya, and most recently, Antonio Margarito. This should be a valid point to discuss why Hopkins has been aching to see Pacquiao face the challenge of a legitimate ?black? boxer from the United States, considering that the Filipino went 11-1-1 against the Mexicans including seven wins via stoppages.
“Listen, this ain’t a racial thing, but then again, maybe it is,” said Hopkins. “But the style that is embedded in most of us black fighters, that style could be a problem to any other style of fighting.”
Pacquiao?s camp, on the other hand, discounted Hopkins? claims, saying that a boxer?s race has nothing to do with who their fighter goes up with.
“I would say to hell with all of those guys who are talking,” said Pacquiao?s Canadian adviser, Michael Koncz. “Manny has done more than anybody in boxing than anybody has ever imagined. He has the right to select his opponents. These black fighters, you know, we’re not prejudiced. We don’t care if they’re black, green or blue.?
“All that we care about is what fighter has a following,? Koncz revealed. ?When these fighters that are crying about fighting Manny develop a following, and can prove to us, statistically, that it’s economically feasible, then we will have no problem fighting them. But until then, they can cry all that they want.”
A megabuck bout against Mayweather would be a fitting grand finale for Pacquiao?s career. But until the undefeated American gets himself out of trouble from court charges filed against him, the fight will remain as a dream.
“As far as Floyd Mayweather, he has [Top Rank Promotions CEO] Bob Arum’s phone number and [Mayweather’s adviser] Al Haymon has Bob Arum’s phone number. He has my phone number,” Koncz said.
“We’re not going to chase him. We gave him two opportunities and they insulted us and attempted to make us look foolish. So, we’re not chasing him. If he wants to call us, then he’s welcome to call us.”
Arum, for his part, has been working things out this early for Pacquiao?s next match, citing a number of viable opponents for the pound-for-pound king who has a dual role as the congressmen of Sarangani province in Mindanao.
“There’s no argument there that he has not fought a top African American fighter. But the notion that he would not fight an African American fighter is ridiculous,” Arum said in response to Hopkins? statements..
“A fight with Shane Mosley would answer that situation,” Arum said. “And maybe the winner of Devon Alexander and Tim Bradley would answer that. Andre Berto might be a consideration, also, yes.
“There’s no reason why he wouldn’t fight an Andre Berto, because he’s at 147 pounds. Berto’s Manny’s size, so, you know, that’s good. We’re looking for African-Americans to fight. I would think that it is likely that Manny will fight an African-American in his next fight, whether it’s Floyd Mayweather, Shane Mosley or somebody else.”
Three-time world champion Paul Williams, who is set to face Argentina?s Sergio Martinez this Sunday in their middleweight rematch, shared his opinion on Hopkins? claims saying that any fighter who has what it takes to face today?s top boxer should be given his due.
?It ain’t got nothing to do with whether you’re African-American, white, Chinese, Puerto Rican or whatever,? said the 29-year-old southpaw. ?None of that really matters to me. If you’ve got the skills, then you’ve got the skills.”
“Manny is the man out there now. He’s got all of the hype and he’s got eight titles that he’s won, so he’s the man and you’ve got to respect that and give him his props,” said Williams.
