Thank goodness HBO Pay-Per-View’s Tony Walker brought the focus back to the fighters when it was his turn to speak at the podium.

“They both love the big challenge,” Walker said of Hopkins and Wright (before thanking the reps of the host casino and DirecTV, and then letting the press know that the July 21st show will be available in 60 million homes for a suggested price of $49.95).

Walker is correct. Despite Hopkins’s current business interests and the future business ventures that Wright hopes to be involved in, both veterans are among the few remaining elite-level boxers who are willing to fight anyone, anywhere, any time.

For most of their careers, they were on the outside looking in. Now, they are not only inside the Ivory Tower, they sit at the table with the rest of the lords.

Hopkins was once a maverick of the sport, a tireless rabble rouser outside of the ring who was diabolically crafty in it. Promoters and managers viewed him as much of a threat as fellow 160-pound title holders and contenders. Wright was an outcast, a tough guy technician with an impenetrable defense, boxing’s version of the immovable object. His high guard, piston-like jab, and penchant for distance fights made him the bane of matchmakers, network executives as well as his fellow fighters.

Wright asked the assembled media not to “hate” on his defensive style or the ring generalship of his opponent.

“People are sayin’ that both of us are defensive fighters,” Wright said. “No, both of us are smart fighters. We know how to win. [That’s why we’ve had] longevity. I’ve been a pro since 1990 and I did that ‘cause I’m smart.

“I don’t want to be out here like some of these fighters who can’t talk or their faces are rearranged. I’m trying to do some other things after boxing, so I got to block a lot of shots.”

http://maxboxing.com/Fischer/Fischer052307.asp