Pavlik Hopkins Press Conference quotes

**CountryBoy** · 08-05-2008 06:08 PM

Nazim Richardson: This guy comes to fight and that is good for Bernard Hopkins. John David Jackson will be supporting me in this fight. When you look at Bernard Hopkins, you are looking at a legend and you have to respect him for that. He has been through the wars and the fires. He has never been cut and has never been beat up.

Bernard Hopkins: I’m a boxing fan and I am a fan of Kelly Pavlik. I am a fan of Pavlik because he became a champion the right way. Not because of politics, but because he came up through the ranks and beat them all. I know what makes a good fight, but I never thought I would be fighting him. Kelly has a lot of heart and determination, but saying that, I’ve never been afraid of a ghost.

I believe I’m coming into this fight as the winner. People know me and boxing people know me and they know I’m a threat against anyone. I am willing to say that I am coming into this fight to win. When we get into the ring – it will just be me and him – and that means it is 50/50.

This is a blue collar fight. It’s like two guys working on a pier and get in a fight. It’s two guys fighting with their hard hats on. This is a blue collar sport – the kind of fight that could happen in any inner city – except now I’m from Philly and he’s from Youngstown.

Kelly comes in and throws the hammer down and it’s my job to take that away from him.

Pavlik has fought three times against fighters that I know of – Miranda and (Jermain) Taylor (twice). I don’t know any of the others. But I have nothing bad to say about Kelly Pavlik.

This fight is about two guys. One guy is coming forward and the other guys is looking to do his thing and THAT SPELLS ACTION.

Jack Loew: This is a great opportunity being able to fight a guy like Bernard Hopkins. This fight will take Kelly to another level. He’s a great fighter, but on October 18 it will come to an end for Bernard Hopkins. It is over for him.

Kelly Pavlik: I want to fight the best. People talk and ask about why I am fighting Bernard Hopkins. You’ve got a legend right here. I don’t know about Calzaghe – I guess I would have to shoot him in the foot to get him to stop running from me. All I can tell you is that I will train as hard as I can to get in the best shape that I can be in – for Bernard Hopkins.

**Markusdarkus** · 08-05-2008 06:13 PM

Jack Loew is a class A nonce.

**Youngblood** · 08-05-2008 06:16 PM

Now I am starting to like this match up. Funny how a few words back and forth can get your blood pumping. Bernard is showing respect for Kelly, and I know Kelly respects Hopkins. It`s not the fight he wanted, but still. Also like the shot he took at Calzaghe, haha.

**Deanrw** · 08-05-2008 06:16 PM

Hopkins seems rather low key from those quotes. Kinda strange for him. He is usually fired right up. Perhaps as the fight edges closer he will start the insults, which are always funny.

**LEGION** · 08-05-2008 06:32 PM

Great stuff; I too am a little taken aback by Hopkins seemingly respectful attitude towards Pavlik, and Pavlik knows he has a wily old beast that will give him fits. I imagine the white boy stuff will follow shortly though as it gets closer to fight night

I am however starting to tire of Jack Lowe; he's becoming as annoying as Enzo Calzaghe. He needs to get his crew to pave over his mouth with that asphalt he lays down.

I am one of the few who likes this fight; as I think Kelly will be in for some suprsises and I wouldn't be surprised to see Kelly hurt with that right hand. I think he'll win a ud; but this is a good learning experience for him. I just think Hop is a little long in the tooth at this point; but I am anxious to see how this pans out.

After this I really hope to see Pavlik/Abraham, Pavlik/Kessler or maybe most of all Pavlik/Andrade.