Bernard Hopkins speaks: It was bad, Homicide, Crime, Gang violence and more

Bernard Hopkins speaks: It was bad, Homicide, Crime, Gang violence and more

By John Benz, Doghouse Boxing (April 22, 2009)

Perhaps no Boxer can truly say he is from the mean streets like Bernard Hopkins can. Hopkins who spent time in prison as a young man, considers himself very lucky to make it out of his rough neighborhood alive and into boxing where he has forged a legendary career.

In a recent interview by Ashley Fox of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Hopkins discussed what it was like growing up in North Philadelphia, a place with high crime, drugs and gang violence.

Hopkins told the publication: "We had a high homicide rate and a lot of gang war when I was coming up, a lot of drugs. We're talking about the mid '70s, late '70s. It was really bad in Philadelphia, especially Diamond Street, Norris Street three blocks away. Everything was so close, so that's why there was always confrontations. You didn't have to go three miles to go here, four miles to go there. You could be walking or playing basketball four or five blocks over, and you'd be in a different territory."

Hopkins added: "A lot of people were getting fired on and ambushed. Back then it was territorial, with drugs being involved as far as people using them. Now, it's a fight for territory for profit."

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