Hopkins holds media day in LA

-Courtesy of Golden Boy Promotions

LOS ANGELES (April 10, 2008) - North Philly native and Ring Magazine light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins opened the doors of his training camp in Pasadena, California Thursday and showed the media a sample of his rigorous training schedule.

“I think that saying I can manipulate my opponents is an insult to my abilities and takes away from them too," Hopkins said. "I feel you should just look at my professionalism and know that I have been able to master the sport of boxing and hone the skills I have been able to develop, mold and maintain. The only thing that I am going to get in his head is this left and right hand.

“Basically I know what I am doing and no one can take that away from me.

“I don’t have a college degree but I have an education in life. I am a graduate of life.

“When you see me on April 19, you will once again say—how does he do it?

“The only difference I feel from now and several years ago is that I have more gray hairs in my beard and my running time is a little later—Instead of running at 5am, I now go at 6:30am.

“I brought in Mackie because all I hear about is how Joe throws 1000 punches around. I’m not crazy. I getting ready for those 1000 punches a round and have to ready to hit him 1000 times too.

“But let me ask you something, all they say is 1000 punches a round but they never say anything else about those punches.”

Hopkins takes on Joe Calzaghe on Saturday, April 19 from the Planet Hollywood Ring in Las Vegas, Nevada.

PHOTO CREDIT: Tom Hogan/Golden Boy Promotions