Here’s a fun fact for you: three months after Manny Pacquiao made his professional debut, Bernard Hopkins was busy winning his first major world title. Sixteen years later and here we are, days away from Hopkins making his bid to become the oldest man to ever win a major world title when he rematches Jean Pascal. Since that title win, Hopkins has been in with everyone from Glen Johnson to Tito Trinidad to Oscar De La Hoya to Winky Wright to Kelly Pavlik and so on.
Bernard Hopkins Vs. Jean Pascal II: Understanding The Hate
While the biggest media story regarding this fight has been Hopkins’ racially loaded statements about NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb, this is a true grudge match. The first fight was filled with typical Bernard in ring psychological warfare and despite Pascal scoring two early knockdowns it was Hopkins controlling the fight. The controversial draw and statements by both fighters afterward have led to an increased amount of “heat” for this rematch. Heat that was on beautiful display when both men sat down with Max Kellerman for a HBO Face-Off segment:
Pascal has responded to Bernard’s claims hat he is only a “four round fighter” by saying “Bernard Hopkins said that I was a four round fighter, and this is it. I’m going to knock him out inside four rounds. ... Be there. You’ll see that’s what I will be able to do.” on a recent conference call.
The dirty plays haven’t only been on Bernard’s side as Pascal has found ways to subtly accuse Hopkins of using performance enhancing drugs. From the same conference call:
“I didn’t say that he was cheating. I said that he’s a legend and he should lead by example. He should have taken the lead. Look, another boxer who’s representing his country for free, only for the honor, has to go through the Olympic testing series before going to the Olympic games. A pro fighter has to pass obsolete tests only. So, these tests have to be updated in 2011. ... Also, it’s funny how Golden Boy stressed how Manny Pacquiao had to take the test. Now, they are looking bitter and trying to avoid the subject.”
For what it’s worth, Hopkins tells ESPN.com that it’s not working:
Pascal claims he got under your skin this time. Has he?
The only way to get under Bernard Hopkins’ skin is reaching for my wallet and trying to take it away from me.
Too often in combat sports we see forced rivalries and “hate” for the sake of selling tickets. I don’t think Hopkins and Pascal are good enough actors to pull off something like the face off that convincingly.
The old man really does want to shut the young lion’s mouth, and that’s enough to make this a fight worth watching.
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