Bernard Hopkins Quotes

This is my last fight of meaningful significance, ... This is my last fight, outside and in the ring, for what I`ve always stood up for.

I didn`t expect right after July 16th to be more in demand and more respected everywhere I went, from the West coast to the East coast, from hard-core gang members to corporate people with suits and ties on, black and white. It just secured everything for me. I`ve been on a nonstop crusade since July 16th. I haven`t had much time for family time, based on the outpouring of love and respect they have for Bernard Hopkins.

Understand that I`m at my best when it comes to proving a point, not only to show that I`m a better fighter and a better athlete at 40½ years old, but I`m at my best when I know I`ve got to beat the system again.

If I`m in a situation where Duane Ford is one of the judges, I have to pick it up.

He came to fight, ... He didn`t come to run or look for a gift from the judges.

I was knocking guys out in the streets before I knew how to throw a jab and keep your chin down, ... In most neighborhoods, the guy that could fight gets respect. You got in the parties free. I never had to pay the dollar because people were scared of me. But back then I was ignorant.

Come Sunday morning, somebody`s going to be asked questions (like) `What happened?` ... And guess what? I don`t want to be that person. So I`m going to do my best, by any means legally and clean, to let Howard Eastman know (what went wrong).

That`s the only thing that I say to myself that I need to work on.

I felt a sense of urgency, ... I wasn`t sure if I was winning or not.

Everything rides on Dec. 3. This fight is important because that`s where Bernard Hopkins will show that anyone who went through the minefield again with him is in trouble. I`ve beaten everyone who got into the ring with me a second time, and some of them I sent into retirement. I have to deal with the clouds and the storm. You think you got me down and I rise up.