Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao: Bernard Hopkins is a Bigot?

In the never-ending saga of Floyd vs. Manny, yet another boxing legend voices his opinion.

Except this time, it appears Bernard Hopkins may have taken one too many punches to the head. 

"Floyd Mayweather would beat Manny Pacquiao because the styles that African-American fighters—and I mean, black fighters from the streets or the inner cities—would be successful," Bernard Hopkins told ESPN.com

Bernard, you’re an idiot. Did you already forget about Joshua Clottey?

"Clottey is 'black,' but not a 'black boxer' from the states with a slick style." Bernard states.

Bernard, let me get this straight. What you’re saying is; if I were a Mexican boxer with a slick style and from the inner-city streets, I wouldn’t have a chance against Pacquiao because I’m not black?

What about two black boxers that have slick styles from the inner-city streets? If they met in the ring, would the world suddenly implode?  

Oh, wait, Zab Judah vs. Floyd Mayweather.

Come on folks! Are we really here, in this day and age? 

A fighter suddenly can’t be as notable until they have tangled with a pugilist of every race, regardless of style and ability of opponent.

Have the arms of Affirmative Action reached into the boxing gyms and arenas and tainted the titles that were earned through blood, sweat, broken bones and tears?

No. Bernard Hopkins, in his ignorant diatribe, is saying what a lot of experts have tried to say, but have been hesitant to say so bluntly.

Mexican boxers, regardless of color, are known for the aggressive style. I say color because one of the best fighters to come out of Mexico in recent days is Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.

If you have ever seen Canelo, you would know the man has golden brown hair and pasty white skin with freckles. Canelo means cinnamon, a moniker that references his brown hair.

Alvarez is scheduled to go head-to-head with Lovemore N’dou on Dec. 4, 2010. Maybe Hopkins will approve this matchup for Saul since N’dou is black.

Wait he’s not from the inner-city.

Black fighters from the “inner-city” (as Hopkins puts it); tend to have a very elusive boxing style. Quick feet, fast hands, some would say "slick" with a defensive aptitude.

Sugar Shane Mosley is black. However, he was born in Inglewood, Calif. located in Southern California just outside LA. 

Shane learned to box in predominantly Mexican gyms. By his own admittance tends to have a Mexican boxing style.

“Since I was a kid, I was facing tough Mexicans in the gym who fought the same style…Guys like Zack Padilla, Julio Cesar Chavez and Genaro Hernandez.” Mosley tells David Avila of The Sweet Science.com

“I had to adapt to the Mexican style of fighting; they’ll take a punch to give you two in return. They don’t care about getting hit. They want to hit you,” says Shane.

Styles make fights. Anytime you put a slick defensive style against a brawler, the chances are the slick fighter will win.

When you put two brawlers together, you get fireworks. Like Lopez vs. Marquez and Pacquiao vs. Margarito.

Bottom line, people are products of their environment. If you put a Mexican fighter in a predominantly-black gym, he’s going to adapt to that style of boxing.

Bernard Hopkins is trying to incite Manny Pacquiao to fight Floyd. Trouble is, Manny isn’t ducking Floyd and doesn’t need, or pay attention to, this kind of rhetoric.

B-Hop, an active partner in Golden Boy Promotions, is attempting to hype the proposed Dream Match. It’s no secret; the “Golden Boy” is still a little perturbed since his 2008 beatdown at the hands of Manny Pacquiao.

Personal and financial reasons will poise Golden Boy Promotions to back Floyd at all costs.    

Maybe Hopkins should say that Floyd wouldn’t be as successful against a Filipino fighter. That’s why he hasn’t faced one, and maybe this fight will get made.

B-Hop, you are now a “B” class fighter and certainly a “B” class human being.