Bernard Hopkins: My Love Letter to the Executioner
By Gina L. Caliboso
“Before I leave this game, you are going to see the best of Bernard Hopkins. I will not retire until I’m 50.” – Bernard Hopkins, post fight interview
My Dearest Bernard:
As I am quickly approaching deadline, I just couldn’t contain the amount of love and utmost appreciation for you in the sport of boxing. I have been rather harsh towards you, calling you out to retire, but please remember, I always wanted and believed you should retire on your own terms. You’ve been tough to watch the last couple of years because you’ve showed all the signs of the aging, veteran fighter. But when you came up against the youngster, Canadian Jean Pascal, in your last two bouts, there was, is something different about you. You came out determined to beat this young man. So, let me now just recap a few things that I absolutely adored in your last bout.
First, my dear Bernard, you defeated father time and went up against a young, hungry, Pascal and proved once and for all that there would be no draw. It was a brilliant fight – psychologically and physically. And you beat Pascal on all levels. And really, honestly, how many fight fans loved this fight? I loved it. In fact, I DVR’d the bout and as long as there is room on my DVR, it will definitely not be deleted.
Second, I know I mentioned that you should retire. But again, I always believed you should retire on your own terms. Going against Pascal, you became the oldest champion to hold a title belt at 46 years, 4 months. You, my dear Executioner (we’ll have to change that term of endearment) broke George Foreman’s record as the oldest fighter to win a title when Foreman defeated Michael Moorer at 45 years, 11 months.
Before the fight began, HBO showed the “Face to Face” with Max Kellerman as you sat a table, and faced the younger Pascal with Kellerman looking on. You stared at Pascal and stated, “You bitched, you ran, I fought …” Pascal failed to make eye contact during the face off. And he finally got up from the table and mimicked you for throwing wild swinging hooks in the first bout. But, I saw the look of intensity on your part. You got into Pascal’s head. It was more than trash talking. You got to him – a brilliant move.
As the fight began, I loved the fun little tune that included lyrics, “With all his might, no draw tonight … he’ll do it his way / Bernard, it’s up to you, you know what to do / To win this rematch / He’ll do it his way.” I couldn’t say it any better! What a way to beat the energy of the hometown Canadian crowd at the Bell Centre. From the moment you entered the arena, you were determined to show that at 46, you Bernard, still has what it takes to be champion. Youth can be a factor for any fighter, but you made it clear that age will never be a factor in the next 4 years. We have to love you.
You began your bout in typical fashion – you picked away at Pascal, but there was a bounce, an edge, an intangible that even had me captivated enough to watch how the fight would continue. In the early rounds, Pascal was facing off against you, he connected well and put together combinations that looked like if he continued his offense in a similar fashion, he would defeat you over the 12 rounds. But you didn’t look that great in the beginning as much as he didn’t either. The referee in charge would call blows behind the head in one round but then fail to call the same in another round.
Pascal fought his fight in the early rounds. He fought a young man’s fight and you even attempted to trade with him. But then, the light went off in your corner and you started to fight a level above. There was no love between either of you, as both you and Pascal would continue to trade back and forth, until finally, at the start of the 7th round as you awaited for Pascal, you did pushups. It was sheer brilliance on your part.
According to Emanuel Steward, you were “fighting the best fight.” I considered the 7th round to be a turning point for you because you landed better power punches and little by little, the fight unraveled. In other words, Pascal, the youngster, lost his composure. Pascal allowed you to get to him. As the commentators stated, your “physical skills eroded and you were forced to be a different fighter – more of a blood and guts guy.” This is so very, very true.
You continue to land more punches as the fight went into the later rounds. And you discovered that whenever you tried to keep with Pascal, you learned you couldn’t match him. You let go of this young fighter’s boxing strategy and found a way to adapt in order to defeat him. Finally, as both of you entered into the 12th round, you relaxed, and solidified your victory. Throughout the bout, you showed more ring savvy, a good offense and defense, and you rightly deserved the 12 round unanimous decision – “you are the oldest man to become a champion.”
Finally, as I close this letter and tribute to you, I again, with utmost thanks, compliment you for remaining in boxing. But mostly, Bernard “Executioner” Hopkins, you are first and foremost, a brilliant fighter and boxer. At the end of the bout, you stated you “want to go out on a positive note.” But until then, you have four years to figure out whatever it is you want to do. You have definitely earned the right to call out any up and coming fighter. And, as the defending champion, you just may have a few things left to show everyone the brilliance and spectacle of boxing. I, myself, had to be reminded of the example and thank you so much for continuing to fight when you really have nothing left to prove to anyone.
Thanks again and I look forward to your next bout.
Sincerely,
Gina L. Caliboso