Taylor in way of Hopkins' final shot
Associated PressUndefeated champion Jermain Taylor, responding to taunts from Bernard Hopkins, says his opponent tonight is a crybaby.
Published December 3, 2005
LAS VEGAS - The fighter in Bernard Hopkins still grows bitter when he thinks about the narrow loss to Jermain Taylor that cost him his middleweight titles and a remarkable championship run.
The promoter in Hopkins looks at it differently. He sees nothing but opportunity because the fight set up tonight's rematch for the 160-pound titles Hopkins once owned.
"I didn't plan for it this way," Hopkins said. "But the positive thing is we get to do it again for my family, for my bank account, and for boxing."
Hopkins is in an unfamiliar position as he heads into what he promises will be his last fight. For the first time in more than a decade he will be going into the ring as a challenger instead of a champion, thanks to the split decision Taylor won in their first fight last July.
He'll go in still upset that one judge scored the 12th round that he seemed to dominate for Taylor, costing Hopkins a possible draw that would have allowed him to retain his undisputed middleweight titles.
"I've been crucified my entire career," Hopkins said. "But I beat the guy the first time and I'm going to beat him again."
Taylor would disagree, but whatever happens, Hopkins says the fight will be the last meaningful bout of his career. He turns 41 next month, is already a partner with Oscar De La Hoya in his promotional business, and seems to understand that the end is near.
Taylor, 27, the 2000 Olympic bronze medalist, promises to keep getting better.
In the first fight Taylor faded badly toward the end and admits he was overwhelmed by his first big title fight and awed by fighting a legend.
"Everybody who knows me knows I'll take care of business this time," Taylor said.
The scheduled 12-round fight at the Mandalay Bay hotel-casino is at 9 p.m., televised on HBO pay-per-view. It has subplots that include a feud between Hopkins and Taylor's promoter, Lou DiBella, and Hopkins' belief that everyone in boxing is out to get him.
Hopkins (46-3-1, 32 knockouts) mocked Taylor's stuttering and claiming that Taylor turned his back and ran during much of the first fight. Taylor brought out a doll with Hopkins' name on it at a news conference, calling him a crybaby.
"I really do believe Hopkins has awakened the young lion," said DiBella, who used to promote Hopkins and recently won a $600,000 slander suit against him. "This kid walked into the first fight awed by the circumstances, the magnitude of the fight and his opponent. This kid is going to walk into this fight awed by nothing, plus with a lot of anger and a lot to prove."
Taylor (24-0, 17 knockouts) says of the first fight, "That was the worst night of boxing I've had in my life ... but he never hurt me."
Hopkins says he won't leave boxing with a loss.
"There's a lot riding on (tonight)," he said. "This is the one where Bernard Hopkins is leaving on top."