Exclusive Boxing Interview: Bernard Hopkins

ByGerald Rice

From Executioner To Executer

A few Fridays ago, an evening of great fights played out in the Wayne Hall of Cobo Hall in Detroit, Michigan. There were celebrity appearances from ex-Lions players Herman Moore and Charlie Sanders along with former multi-weight boxing champion and modern day great, Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker.

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© Mike McGuigan
Saddo Boxing

Before the events began, SaddoBoxing had the opportunity to speak to the legendary former middleweight king Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins , who was on hand as a commentator with ESPN.

With his July 21 bout with Winky Wright being not far down the road, we asked the champ what his thoughts were and he seemed extremely calm, if not business-like in his demeanor.

SaddoBoxing: How do you feel about your fight coming up with Winky Wright?

Bernard Hopkins: “It’s going be a good one. Other than the Oscar and Floyd fight, one of the top fights this year. And I think the great thing is that Golden Boy is putting on these big fights in 2007 and it puts a lot of pressure on other promoters to do big fights for the fans.

“I mean, you look at it, it doesn’t hurt to put up the best fighters fighting the best fighters. I’m glad to be a part of it, not only the promotional end of it, but as an athlete, the physical part too. I think we are in a win-win situation.”

SB: What do you think about the state of the middleweight division, including Jermain Taylor’s bout with junior middleweight champion Corey Spinks?

BH: “I think Spinks is too small. He’s kind of a junior middleweight, [really] he’s a full-fledged welterweight. I mean, if you take the Kassim [Ouma] fight and now you’re taking the Corey Spinks fight…Everybody wants to see him [Taylor] fight a full-fledged middleweight.

“These guys are not considered great by any means. At least the guys I fought, Oscar De La Hoya and Felix Trinidad, they were 54 pounders, but their experience and their achievements sort of made the playing field or the battle even, or even the edge on their end because of the high market they were in at the time.

“I just think that the fans are gonna start asking for guys like [Edison] Miranda, who I think is the most dangerous middleweight since [John] Mugabi in the 80’s or early 90’s. People want to see that fight with Miranda and Jermain Taylor rather than Corey Spinks and Jermain Taylor (laughs). I think he just too light in the butt to get Jermain’s respect.”

SB: Who do you think is the heir apparent to the middleweight division?

BH: “Miranda. Absolutely. If you need any back up, just watch his last 2-3 fights. He knocks people out. Fortunately or unfortunately, that’s what the fans like. He’s the dangerous middleweight out there to my eyes.

“I don’t have any promotional or manager or any type of deal with him, I’m just speaking from experience and as a fan also, and as a promoter so I’m wearing three hats. If anybody wants to challenge that, look at his last fights and look at others. He’s been doing a great job getting people’s attention, including HBO. That is Miranda.”