Hopkins targets Foreman record
Source: Agencies |
May 19, 2011, Thursday
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Print Edition
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AT an age where most athletes are retired, coaching or lining their wallets signing autographs at the local mall, Bernard Hopkins is one knockout from history.
If the 46-year-old Hopkins defeats WBC light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal on Saturday in Montreal, boxing's golden oldie will dethrone George Foreman as the oldest boxer to win a world title.
Foreman was 45 years, 10 months when he knocked out heavyweight champion Michael Moorer in 1994. Hopkins will be 46 years, four months and six days old in his rematch with Pascal.
"You're dealing with the guy that's not the norm," Hopkins said.
Hopkins has always been unconventional, and defeating Father Time, alongside Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad, and Roy Jones Jr., through the years, may be his biggest achievement yet. Hopkins has his blueprint for the next two years set. He plans to convincingly defeat Pascal, then fight three more times and retire as the champion. Of course, the call is out of the same playbook written by a boxer who promised his mother he'd retire at 40.
Hopkins (51-5-2) has something to prove after a lackluster finish in the first Pascal bout. The Haitian-born Pascal knocked down Hopkins in the first and third rounds; Pascal tagged him with a left in the third to put him on the canvas. Hopkins rallied, though, and won on the American judge's scorecard. Judges from Canada and Belgium ruled for Pascal (26-1-1).
The WBC ordered an immediate rematch - in Pascal's hometown.
Known as "The Executioner," Hopkins realized he can't leave the decision to the scorecard.
"I want to instigate and agitate a little bit up there," Hopkins said. "You understand what I'm saying? Broad Street Bullies."
The Philadelphia native has long considered himself the city's fifth franchise. He's a die-hard fan of the big four and will wear Flyers' Hall of Fame center Bobby Clarke's jersey to the ring.
If the 46-year-old Hopkins defeats WBC light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal on Saturday in Montreal, boxing's golden oldie will dethrone George Foreman as the oldest boxer to win a world title.
Foreman was 45 years, 10 months when he knocked out heavyweight champion Michael Moorer in 1994. Hopkins will be 46 years, four months and six days old in his rematch with Pascal.
"You're dealing with the guy that's not the norm," Hopkins said.
Hopkins has always been unconventional, and defeating Father Time, alongside Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad, and Roy Jones Jr., through the years, may be his biggest achievement yet. Hopkins has his blueprint for the next two years set. He plans to convincingly defeat Pascal, then fight three more times and retire as the champion. Of course, the call is out of the same playbook written by a boxer who promised his mother he'd retire at 40.
Hopkins (51-5-2) has something to prove after a lackluster finish in the first Pascal bout. The Haitian-born Pascal knocked down Hopkins in the first and third rounds; Pascal tagged him with a left in the third to put him on the canvas. Hopkins rallied, though, and won on the American judge's scorecard. Judges from Canada and Belgium ruled for Pascal (26-1-1).
The WBC ordered an immediate rematch - in Pascal's hometown.
Known as "The Executioner," Hopkins realized he can't leave the decision to the scorecard.
"I want to instigate and agitate a little bit up there," Hopkins said. "You understand what I'm saying? Broad Street Bullies."
The Philadelphia native has long considered himself the city's fifth franchise. He's a die-hard fan of the big four and will wear Flyers' Hall of Fame center Bobby Clarke's jersey to the ring.
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