His list of accomplishments as a fighter is long and voluminous, and for many fans, the punishment he sustained last November against “The Krusher” Sergey Kovalev should have been enough for the now 50 year old Bernard Hopkins to say enough is enough – and finally walk away from the ring.
Yet, the future Hall of Famer has insisted to Fox Sports that he still has something left to give;
“Unlike my business partner Oscar De La Hoya, I’ll be confirming that I’m not retired. I’m looking to make one more historical, meaningful fight before I close out my 27 year career.”
“Stay tuned, it will be against a well known name. I’m looking to get a stamp of approval on my legacy.”
Hopkins, who has famously held world titles at 160 and 175 lb does have a desire to win one at 168 lb and recently told fighthype.com that he wished to challenge newly crowned IBF super middleweight champion James DeGale in London.
“That’s real serious too. I would love to touch base in London to be able to make history across the pond. I’ve got a big fan base in London, well respected. I would love to go over there and give them a show – at this level, at this stage – that they would never forget.”
Whether Hopkins does indeed try and go for a world title at 168 lb or stick around at 175 lb remains to be seen, yet with him talking about stamping his legacy and previously saying he will have no problem making the super middleweight limit, one has a sneaking suspicion that’s the direction he will be looking to go in.
There will be the winners of the upcoming Abraham/Stieglitz and Jack/Groves fights as well as DeGale and Andre Ward as legitimate 168 lb champions for Hopkins to try and secure a fight with towards the end of the year should he wish to do so.
Watch this space.
Twitter @Undilutedpoison
