What is Next for Bernard Hopkins?
Even though he’s 45 years old, Bernard Hopkins still thinks that he’s among the best fighters in the world. His last fight was in April against Roy Jones Jr. in a bout that was more about nostalgia than current competition. Hopkins won the fight via a unanimous decision, although many boxing experts though that the fight was not exciting, uncompetitive and bordering on farce.
However, much of the criticism has to be levelled at Jones Jr., who looked like a shot fighter against Hopkins. For most of the fight, it appeared that Hopkins knew that he could win an easy decision without extending himself too far and was content to avoid making a big mistake that could open him up for problems while trying to knock Jones Jr. out.
Looking at Hopkins’ record (51-5-1, 32 KOs) heading into the fight gives you indication that he might still have something left in the tank. He’s won his last three fights – along with beating Jones Jr., he’s defeated Enrique Ornelas and Kelly Pavlik by unanimous decision since 2008. The victory against Pavlik was especially impressive as he was considered one of the best light heavyweights in the world heading into the fight.
So what is next for Bernard Hopkins? He’s been linked to a possible comeback fight against the Welsh champion Joe Calzaghe, who retired as an undefeated champion after defeating Jones Jr. in November 2008 and beat Hopkins in a close decision earlier in 2008. Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer recently approached Calzaghe – who is reportedly in financial trouble and is interested in a return to the ring if the opponent (and price) is right – about a bout against Hopkins.
However, Calzaghe told Wales Online that Hopkins was “a 45-year-old man who just doesn’t bring anything to the table.” It seems clear that if Calzaghe is going to make a comeback – and he did say that he misses beating people up for a living – that a bout against Hopkins isn’t in the cards.
If Hopkins isn’t going to fight Calzaghe next, then who will be his next opponent? One opponent who is a definite possibility is current IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute (26-0, 21 KOs). The Canadian most recently beat Edison Miranda with a third-round TKO in April and is looking for a new opponent (he is not a part of the Super Six World Boxing Classic). Schaeffer has been in contact with Bute’s promoters to try and put a fight together in the fall.
Bute has been fighting at super middleweight and Hopkins has spent his last few years at light heavyweight. Schaefer said that a fight would likely not be contested at either the light heavyweight limit of 175 pounds or the super middleweight limit of 168 pounds but at the catch weight of 170 pounds. Despite being the older and heavier fighter (and not having fought at below light heavyweight since 2005), Hopkins has said that he will be able to make the 170 pound limit if a fight takes place.
Does Hopkins have a chance against Bute? On the surface, it would appear that Bute would have the upper hand. He’s currently considered to be one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world and someone who possesses a blend of speed and power. He’s also 15 years younger than Hopkins, which might be a key factor if Bute stays on his toes and makes him come after him. But there are always two ways to look at the situation – you could make the case that Hopkins has the clear edge in experience and might be able to manufacture a shocking upset and add another chapter to his legacy.
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