by James Slater – On today’s issue of The Steve Bunce Boxing Hour on Setanta Sports, Golden Boy’s Richard Schaefer spoke about what the great Bernard Hopkins wants to do next. It’s no secret Hopkins has craved a return fight with Joe Calzaghe ever since “The Pride of Wales” defeated him via close points verdict last April. And even though Joe has retired and is seemingly both happy and content in retirement, “The Executioner” refuses to give up hope of a second fight – B-Hop, Schaefer says, would even be willing to travel to Wales for the rematch..
Failing that fight taking place, Hopkins has also expressed an interest in moving up in weight to the cruiserweight ranks and taking a fight with IBF 200-pound king Tomasz Adamek, the fighter who most experts and fans agree is the current #1 at the weight. Either way, it seems the incredible 44-year-old legend will have at least one more fight before he finally hangs up the gloves on a storybook and Hall of Fame-worthy career.
Schaefer said he feels Bernard and Joe have “some unfinished business.”
“I’ll be talking to Joe because I can see a huge event if he wants to do one last fight in Wales,” Schaefer said. “Bernard specifically told me that he would come to Wales to fight Joe Calzaghe. This would be the biggest challenge for Joe. I think there’s some unfinished business between Bernard and Joe. I haven’t given up hope [for a second fight].”
And while Calzaghe, who, of course hung up his gloves with a perfect 46-0 record a short time ago, once said he’d never fight Hopkins again for any amount of money, Hopkins seems to think he may change his mind. A rematch would certainly be a fascinating fight to see, and it would also surely sell well. However, if Joe stays where he is – and , let’s face it, he has nothing more to prove to anyone by fighting again – Hopkins has a plan-B; a fight with Poland’s Adamek up at cruiser.
“Bernard is always looking for the biggest challenge,” Schaefer said. “He has expressed interest in facing Tomasz Adamek also.”
This too, would be a most interesting fight. Could Hopkins handle himself against the tough and durable, not to mention extremely dangerous Adamek? It’s clear B-Hop needs seemingly impossible challenges to motivate himself these days more than ever. But how long can the all-time great who turned the clock back in stunning fashion against Kelly Pavlik last time out keep going?
The fans will continue tuning into his fights in order to find out. But as secure as his place in boxing history is already, ask yourself this – how very special would the master from Philly be remembered as if he were to finish his career with either a win over Calzaghe in Wales or one over Adamek at 200-pounds!