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| It was a fabulous day in Southern California. It was a great day for the beautiful people to come out for the press conference promoting the upcoming fight between two of boxings finest, Bernard Hopkins and Antonio Tarver |  |
Hopkins entered the conference room at Hollywood Park’s Turf Club first. He was “dressed to the nines” in a brown business suit and appears to be in great shape. After a few minutes of Hopkins posing for the cameras, Antonio Tarver entered the room. Not to be outdone, Mr Tarver could have been on the cover of GQ instead of promoting the upcoming fight. The two men immediately engaged in a “staredown” that lasted for probably 60 seconds but seemed like a lot longer.
After the promoters spoke, Hazim Richardson took the podium. He is Bernard’s chief trainer. He spoke about the things we all know about Hopkins. He is one of the most disciplined athletes ever to lace on a pair of gloves. He talked about Hopkins beating Trinidad on a Saturday and calling him immediately Monday morning to resume training in the gym. The Hopkins camp has hired Shane Mosley’s trainer for expertise in fighting left handers.
Bernard then proceeded to the podium and it is apparent that both of these men do have respect for each other. Regarding his motives for moving up in weight to challenge the light heavyweight champion Bernard was quick to point out that he has been underestimated many times before. He would never accept this (or any other) fight if he did not have a reason to believe that he would win. He also has hired “out of his own pocket” fitness trainer Macky Shilstone to prepare for this fight. If you do not recall, Macky is the gentleman who got Michael Spinks into the best condition of his life to fight Larry Holmes. Macky also prepared Riddick Bowe for Evander Holyfield. Bernard, who has a reputation for “being frugal” was quick to point out that “Macky is not cheap, either”.
As for motivation, Bernard says that regardless of the outcome, this will be his last fight. The last 2 fights (close losses to Jermaine Taylor that he feels he won) have left a “bitter taste in his mouth. He is also a fan of the great middleweight Sugar Ray Robinson who in 1952 fought Joey Maxim for the Light Heavyweight title at Yankee Stadium. Sugar Ray succumbed to 100 degree heat after 10 rounds. On june 10 in Atlantic City, Bernard guarantees us that the heat will not be a factor in the air conditioned ballroom. As a sidenote, a jeweler is giving the winner of the contest a watch valued at $100,000.00 in memory of the Robinson-Maxim match in 1952.
Bernard says that there will be no excuses on June 10. If he loses, he will have lost because Antonio was the better man. He does not want (nor expect) any excuses from Tarver either. With that, Bernard expresset his disire to get out of the suit and back in the gym. He is not a politician and is tired of promoting.
Joseph La Guardina (Star Boxing) took the podium and then introduced Antonio Tarver. La Guardina sees the fight as either the “strong finish to an outstanding career (should Hopkins win) or the “end of another legend (like Roy Jones) should Tarver prevail.
Antonio Tarver appeared very confident. He spoke briefly about “setting bait on the hook” for Hopkins and Hopkins taking it. He was referring to offering to pay $250k to the “charity of Hopkin’s choice” should Hopkins last 6 rounds. Hopkins laughed “and I accepted it”. Antonio chuckled that “he must really love that charity”. Tarver said that Hopkins will “realize early and often” that he is in over his head. He mentioned that like Sugar Ray Robinson, Hopkins will succumb to another kind of heat.
After the conference, both men stayed for interviews and autographs. This fight is between two class acts who have earned everything that that have the hard way. Nobody was made a millionaire before they turned professional. On June 10 at the Borgata Hotel, I look forward to a great fight with the younger and bigger man winning a decision.
