Bernard Hopkins breathes boxing history into Canada with December 18 bout
Boxing fans may be in for a surprise December 18 in Quebec City.
That's the date unified light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal puts his reputation on the line against the man who’s already done that countless times, Bernard Hopkins. And if there’s one thing to say about Hopkins, it’s that he can never be counted out
of a title fight.
The two fighters met face to face yesterday for the first day of a three-day press tour promoting their bout. They shared jokes, playful insults, and played their parts extraordinarily, the young Pascal wearing an animated silver suit, symbolizing capitalism
and business in the new world, and Hopkins sporting a chocolate brown three-piece that looked more in line with the wall-street men of the forties.
But though Hopkins might have appeared out of sorts and out of time, it wouldn’t be too much to say that he also looked incredibly sharp and in time, a ghost from time completely timeless, as if fallen into a bygone photo from some other era that refuses
to disappear.
And indeed, in their way eras do refuse to disappear.
It all made sense as "The Executioner" stood at the podium at a press conference in Montreal, and claimed history was his muse. “Personally, I am motivated by history,” he said. “My entire career is dedicated to history and I will continue to box as long
I am able to be involved. I will stop only when I am no longer able to make history. Jean Pascal is an excellent boxer. He is the champion. He is recognized by The Ring magazine as the best and that's why I want to fight him. Jean Pascal is perhaps the future
of boxing, but I am both past and present. I'm the one who is currently in boxing history. "
As Hopkins understands, it isn’t about the future so much as the present moment.
And as far as present moments go in the history of Canadian boxing, this one will surely leave its mark. It figures to be the most lucrative boxing promotion ever staged in Canada. Both fighters are guaranteed purses over $1.5-million, which will blow
all of champion Pascal’s previous pay checks out of the water. Showtime will be broadcasting the fight live, and some 17,000 fans are expected to pack the Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City.
Should Hopkins defeat Pascal, he would supplant record holder Archie Moore, who managed to retain his light heavyweight crown four months shy of his 46th birthday in 1959. Ironically, that bout was held against a Canadian at the Montreal Forum.
Hopkins, with some twenty years of professional experience to his name, turns 46 in January. Pascal, 26, could be his son.
The results of this fight will likewise establish much in the way of Canadian boxing history.
Within the last two years Canada has re-established itself as something as a boxing landmark—especially in the wake of a dried up American market and talent pool. Leading the way has been Montreal, which boasts such talent as upcoming prospect David Lemieux,
light heavyweight champ Pascal, and IBF super middleweight star Lucian Bute.
In Montreal Bute is greeted with the respect of the Montreal Canadiens. When he fights and wins (he hasn’t lost) he makes front page headlines and packs the Bell Centre with excited fans.
What’s more is that the boxing world is taking note. Hence Hopkins, a star in the boxing world, absolutely agreed to fight Pascal in Quebec City. “Here in Montreal, you like boxing and big events,” Hopkins said. “And I understand you.”
So does the rest of the boxing world, apparently.
Concluding his speech, Hopkins said: “I expect an all-out gunslinger's fight. He'll be told to jump on me. Why? Because I'm old. But I've seen every style in 23 years. The fight will change as soon as he says 'oops.' You can't train for the unknown."
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