A boxing retirement is an oxymoron. They don’t really happen. SecondsOut.com is reporting that recently retired Bernard Hopkins is considering a comeback. And he’s already got an opponent in mind for a June 2007 bout: new WBC Heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev. “The state of the heavyweight division in America is dead,” Hopkins said. “Bernard Hopkins is the only boxer who can bring the title back.”
Hopkins dominated the middleweight division for ten years before conquering Antonio Tarver in June 2006 to gain the light heavyweight title. Hopkins wanted to gain the light heavyweight title to do something his boxing idol Sugar Ray Robinson could not. After the win, Hopkins said he had nothing left to prove. That is until he watched Oleg Maskaev knock Hasim Rahman out last month.
“I was watching that fight and it when it was over, it hit me,” Hopkins said. “Rahman was supposed to be the last line of defense for the America heavyweights. He couldn’t do it. But I was inspired to comeback and do it. It’s not something that is unheard of. Michael Spinks did it. Roy Jones did it. I can do it.”
Hopkins has been in talks with Mackie Shilstone, a sports nutritionist that helped Roy Jones Jr make the leap to the heavyweight division. Hopkins will not fight without Shilstone’s assistance, and at least a $10 million payday.
I don’t think this fight will come to pass but it’s an interesting piece of news. Maskaev wants to fight in Russia before the year ends and then he’s scheduled to face mandatory challenger Sam Peter. Maskaev could certainly pass on the mandatory defense for the bigger payday but I don’t think it would happen. I would be very surprised if this goes down as too many variables have to come together for this to happen. First, Shilstone has to be involved. Second, the money needs to be right and that’s always a deal-breaker. Third, Maskaev may not even be champion by the time Hopkins is ready for the showdown. The fight is an interesting thought that really needs to be more thought out.
Source: SecondsOut.com
