Continue the Rein of a Living Legend or Pass the Torch onto a New Generation

Bernard Hopkins is a fighter who at 45 years of age has a record of 51-5-1(32KOS). He was reining champion of the Middleweight division for numerous years, and now is looked at as a living legend. He was lined up to fight Kelly Pavlik in October of 2008, when Kelly was considered the next best thing in the middleweight division. Hopkins completely dismantled Kelly on that night while gaining a UD win and exposing Kelly Pavlik. Hopkins also dismantled Pavlik psychologically on that night; he has yet to bounce back from that loss.

One thing about Hopkins is that he always seemed to be the underdog of any big fight he came across in his career. He is now due to fight Jean Pascal come Mid December, once the paperwork is finalized. Will Hopkins once again be considered the underdog for this fight? The chance of Hopkins becoming old overnight is always at stake, but he has yet to show us any signs of that being the case. Bernard Hopkins has proved himself, and I for one am looking forward to seeing the outcome of this fight.

Jean Pascal is a more aggressive fighter then the last few fighters Hopkins has stepped in the ring with. Without doubt Pascal should be the busier fighter in the ring on that night. Hopkins is arguably one of the best counter punchers in the sport as well as defensive fighters in the sport, so the styles match up should be interesting. Bernard Hopkins is the one that has something to lose taking this fight. If this fight ends with Hopkins losing he will then join the list of fighters who the sport has retired. Muhammad Ali, Max Schmeling, Oscar De La Hoya, Sugar Ray Leonard and most recent and still active Roy Jones Jr. are all fighters on that list who all deserve nothing but respect for their love of the sport. However if Hopkins wins this fight then the living legend continues to participate in the boxing world, and is then given the opportunity to retire from the sport before it retires him.

A win over Hopkins, would give Pascal a high-quality name on his resume, as well as the torch that would be been passed from Hopkins onto the new generation of fighters. The win could be looked at as Pascal fought a washed up Hopkins, but as long as Hopkins looks half decent throughout the fight then this should not be the case.

A loss to Hopkins and Pascal loses nothing because he lost to a living legend. If Pascal does not get exposed and as long as he can hold his own Pascal has nothing to lose by taking this fight. It seems as though Pascal is a part of a win/win deal here.

No matter what the outcome you have to respect Bernard Hopkins for taking such a huge fight so late in his career and for taking it against a fighter who has the heart of a champion.