Boxing’s timeless wonder Bernard Hopkins was honored today by Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter for his championship win over Jean Pascal for the WBC light heavyweight title belt. Hopkins had a full ceremony, proclamation and was presented a liberty bell replica all in front of the now famous Rocky statue. Though I dont knw how I would react if I was presented a bell for a in ring accomplishment, having a cermony in my honor in front of the Rocky statue would pretty much be a dream come true.
With his win over Pascal, Hopkins became the oldest boxer in history at 46 to win a significant world title. Here is what he had to say today:
“The ‘Rocky’ movies are an inspiration to the blue collar workers of this city. Rocky used what he had to make the best of it, which is what I had to do. I played jacks like they were aces and I made something out of nothing.
“Where we are standing right now, is where I train. It is where I started.
“I have run those steps [of the Philadelphia Museum of Art] for many years, even last month [in preparation for the Pascal fight].
“It means a great deal to me to be honored where I train. This is where I have come all of my life.
“I lost my first fight at the Blue Horizon in Philadelphia. I lost a four round fight and I didn’t let that stop me from continuing on in my career.
“I invested in my life…people ask, ‘What is your secret?’ They are waiting for me to say ‘I am that good,’ but I am here because I invested in myself and made a determination not to get caught up in the high life of being a celebrity.
“You have to have good health to have a fighting chance. You have to treat yourself like a temple.”
