Written by Scott Swerbinsky

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Bernard Hopkins is considered by many people as one of the best fighters in the world. His career record of 48-5 is very impressive and Bernard Hopkins is considered by many people as one of the best fighters in the world. His career record of 48-5 is very impressive and will have him in the hall of fame.  Hopkins has been in with a who's who of boxing. Joe Calzaghe, Roy Jones Jr., Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad, and Winky Wright are some of the top fighters he has been in the ring with.

Even though Hopkins has fought some of the best fighters, he has lost three out of his last five fights. His style makes for a very boring fight at times. Dirty and defensive are the first two things that come to mind when I think about how he fights. There is no denying he is hard to hit, Hopkins has never really been hurt and has never been knocked out. That streak is in jeopardy come Saturday October 18^th in Atlantic City.

Bernard Hopkins will step in with top five pound for pound fighter, Kelly Pavlik this Saturday. Pavlik brings a 34-0 record with him with 30 of those wins by knockout. Vegas oddsmakers currently have Pavlik anywhere from a 3 to a 4-1 favorite to beat Hopkins.

I recently had the opportunity to talk with Bernard.

SS: Bernard, thanks for taking the time to speak with me, how are you?

BH: I'm good, thanks. I just wish it was Saturday, I'm anxious.

SS: You have your fight coming up in just a few days, how are the preparations going?

BH: I'm just ready to go.

SS: Now you have said you see weaknesses in Kelly Pavlik, what exactly do you see and what are you plans for Saturday night?

BH: You want to know my game plan? You're in Ohio right? Why would I tell you what I'm going to do? So you can write about it and tell everyone? If you were going to rob a bank tomorrow, would you go in there today and tell them you'll be back tomorrow? The weakness I see in Pavlik is that he signed to fight Bernard Hopkins. He is a good respectful champion but this fight has nothing to do with belts. I have been a pro since 1988. I consider myself a student of the game, I look at the guys he's fought and see three names I recognize. I see Jermain Taylor, who I softened up and Edison Miranda and Bronco McKart. I'm old school. I have fought a who's who list. If you took mine and Kelly's resume to a job interview, who are they going to hire?

SS: You've had a great career, no doubt about it. You have also said you were going to retiring after the age of 40, that never happened, what's next win or lose?

BH: That's not a question to me. I don't know what I'm going to do. I don't like talking around fight time. I have been fighting for 20 years and have never gotten beat up. Why would I think about what I'm going to do? I just want to win. I have fought and can fight every kind of style. The more they build up Kelly Pavlik, the better it will make me look. He has earned his titles, no doubt about that, I respect that. This is about the young ambitious KO artist taking on Bernard Hopkins. I'm not predicting anything, he is the one saying he will knock me out. I know my future isn't long, what happened the last time I was a 4-1 underdog? It was against Tito Trinidad. This about seeing if Bernard Hopkins can pull the rabbit out of the hat again. Can I do it again? I know the economy is tough right now. I'm hoping all the people pay the money for the pay per view and watch this fight. I'm pretty sure you'll be watching.

SS: I sure will be.

BH: Take care of yourself.

Just like that, interview over. Hopkins hung up with me and made me want to see him get knocked out even more. I respect what he has done in his career. He never ducked anyone stayed true to his style. I have a huge problem with people who consider this guy a legit top ten pound for pound fighter.

If he thinks Pavlik isn't for real, he has another thing coming this Saturday night in Atlantic City. I am ready for this fight.