AS AN interview subject, Bernard Hopkins is solid gold. Whatever subject you choose to quiz the 48-year-old Philadelphian on, he will respond with something interesting and entertaining. In the days before his IBF light-heavyweight title defence against German Karo Murat in Atlantic City, Hopkins shared some thoughts exclusively with Boxing News.
Preparing for Murat There?s things I know I have to do different from the Cloud fight due to styles but nothing out of the ordinary. I believe in my skills and experience to make those adjustments as needed. I?ve been using different sparring partners every week because I?ve been running most of them out of there. Basically they?ve just come forward, kept their hands tight and tried to punch in between my punches. I think everybody would be shocked if Murat tries to box; that?s not him, and that wasn?t Joe Frazier. I?ve seen many styles in my 25 years in the sport, I think I?ve seen most, if not all, the styles a man can present to me.
On Murat trumpeting his youth as an advantage You think because you got half of my experience? it?s like a good student with his degree going to a professor and telling the professor, ?I?m smarter than you,? and the professor saying, ?Why are you smarter than me?? ?Because I have my Bachelor?s degree.? The professor has everything: Masters, Bachelors, but the younger guy feels he has some experience. Every time Murat?s fought for a world title he?s lost but that is an experience, though; he right, but his experience at the top level, fighting in a country where he?s never fought before? let?s see if that experience helps. That?s the key thing. I?ve been all over the world fighting and it?s a whole different vibe when you?re not in your comfort zone. I been there, done that.
On breaking records To me it becomes real boring to keep having competition with yourself. I?m having more fun as the healthier Bernard. Not the Bernard Hopkins that fought twice with Chad Dawson, with the shoulder injury then I got back in with him because I had to, to remain champion. I have a history of fulfilling obligations. I got a mandatory, I?m not underestimating nobody, I never do. You beat me, you beat me, the judge beat me, the judge beat me. I had 20 defences and 13 of those came before I finally got Felix Trinidad so eh, I might have one more defence before I get a chance to wipe out some more light-heavyweight before I move down, or even move down two weight classes.
