Hopkins vs Maskaev – Is it worth their risk?
By Rob Scott (Dec 15, 2006)
Like so many others, I’ve followed the career of Bernard Hopkins for some time now. His trials and tribs in and out of the ring have been well documented. From a young Hopkins’ troubles with the law, to the still developing Hopkins’ trouble with Roy Jones in his first attempt at a world title, we all have been witnesses. From his first title win over Segundo Mercado, to his historic win over Felix Trinidad to become the undisputed king of the middleweights – we all have been witnesses. From his record setting 20 middleweight title defenses, to his ascension up the scales to emphatically take the light heavyweight title from Antonio Tarver in June of this year – yes we all have been witnesses to the metamorphosis of Bernard Hopkins into Mr.
Hopkins.

It’s been like a child’s progression from kindergarten to the cap and gown ceremonies of one’s collegiate years; Hopkins’ progression has been a graduation of sought. He has moved from having the equivalent of crayons and pieces of paper to color, to millions of pieces of green paper along with the accolades that amount to a pugilistic masters degree.

But like many great fighters before him, Hopkins is choosing not to take his well-earned degree and set out to the real world, but rather stay in this world that he has known for the past 18 years.

Now it’s been said that the smartest person in the world is the one who knows that he doesn’t know everything, and in theory, it is the basis on why people should actually stay in school. But even with all of my analogies, we all know that while both may teach, there is a distinct difference in the academic sense of school and that of the school of hard knocks. Hopkins has taken his knocks, lumps, bumps and bruises to put himself in a position where he can actually walk away from the in-ring side of this sport. But again, like so many greats before him who’s initial boxing mission was one of a better way of life, Hopkins seems to have found that walking away has become his mission impossible.

Let’s face it; sometimes when you reach the mountaintop, a reality sets in. One tends to not look down on the competition clawing their way up, because from your perch, new sceneries are visible. Hopkins, instead of looking down is now looking across and eying the perch of WBC heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev. 

From such a high altitude the skies just may be the limit, but we’ve all known fighters that have reach that height only to suffer from oxygen deprivation, causing them to make decisions that are more detrimental than beneficial. One has to wonder if Hopkins’ decision to return to the ring, even if his only return is against Maskaev, will be for him, a wise one.

Maskaev has stated that he would indeed fight Hopkins, but what would be in it for him? If he wins, he would be beating the great Bernard Hopkins, but he would be beating someone that achieved that greatness 80 to 95 pound south of the 254.5 pounds that Maskaev weighed-in for his defense last week against little known Peter Okhello of Uganda. If he loses, he would be seen as a Russian John Ruiz, a true big man who let a true small man become heavyweight champion. One has to wonder if Maskaev’s decision to fight Hopkins will be for him, a wise one.
 
Hopkins has stated that he is returning because boxing needs him. The reality is the sport will keep moving with or without his presence in the ring, but it gives you an idea of where the state of the heavyweight division is when a Hopkins vs. Maskaev fight can and will garner more revenue than any other heavyweight fight on the scene.

Money can only be Maskaev’s motivation, as a victory won’t place his status in the current heavyweight picture, let alone among the all time greats, in any higher regard. But in the mind of a fighter like Maskaev, who after 13 years as a pro could possibly receive his biggest payday ever, a risk against Hopkins is no risk at all, but more like easy money. Maybe this is evidence that it is Maskaev who has suffered his share of oxygen deprivation since he has ascended his perch, because the WBC title makes him a player, but if Hopkins does beat him, it would be Maskaev who played himself.

When Billy Conn faced Joe Louis for the heavyweight title in 1941, he was outclassing the ‘Brown Bomber’, but after a while, Conn became cocky and made the mistake of standing up to Louis – we all know he wasn’t standing for long after that. The Hopkins that faced Tarver in June seemed to still have the legs to outclass a Maskaev and not have to make the mistake of standing up to him. The problem is a fighter can become legitimately old over night, and at the age of 41, we may only see Hopkins’ impersonation of Billy Conn’s disappointing second outing with Louis – and that wouldn’t leave Hopkins standing for very long.

A risk is necessary in order to truly gain. Hopkins stands to place himself further in boxing’s pantheon, but if Father Time taps him on his shoulder in this bout and he gets hurt, it would be the equivalent of him fighting for fool’s gold – it really wouldn’t have been worth it.

Everybody plays the fool…sometimes; in boxing, only winners seem to be the exception to that rule. Neither is guaranteed to win this fight, but the loser will sure to have his regrets.”


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Rob at: Robscottxl@msn.com
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