Hopkins Bernard. Biography, interesting facts from the life of the famous boxer

Hopkins Bernard was born on January 15, 1965 in the city of Philadelphia, USA. During his life, this famous boxer achieved a breakthrough success in his career and built a strong relationship. About how Bernard went to his victories and how experienced the fall, you will learn from our article.

Childhood and Youth

As you know, Hopkins Bernard was born in a dysfunctional family, so the boy did not receive proper education. His future childhood boxer spent on the street, devoting all his free time to fights with peers. Absence of upbringing, freedom of action, bad influence - all this significantly affected the formation of Bernard's personality. In one of the street fights, Hopkins was stabbed. And it's only 13 years old.

Jail

As you know, Hopkins acquired most of his skills, taking part in all sorts of street fights. The school teachers of the guy claimed that Bernard is unlikely to live to his 18th birthday.

At the age of 17, a young man is brought to trial. Before him opens a terrible prospect - to sit behind bars for 18 years. As the boxer Bernard Hopkins himself said: "I regret everything that I did for my life, I regret that I chose this way. I admit that I never steal from children, women and old people. It just so happened that all the actions have to be answered. "

In Greylord Colony of Pennsylvania Bernard stayed for 5 years. The authorities felt that during this time the guy completely corrected himself. As the boxer himself said: "After so many years in prison, I'm afraid to spit on the sidewalk."

It should be noted that after his release from prison, Bernard Hopkins accepted Islam.

The first failure

The first steps to boxing career Bernard Hopkins began to do already in 1988. The battle in which he participated was lost. The fight was held in New Jersey and lasted 4 rounds. The loss did not affect the future aspiration of the boxer, but, on the contrary, pushed him to move on with new forces.

Victory and first achievements

After the first defeat Bernard Hopkins, whose quotes were read by millions, decides to hire himself a coach. The choice does not fall on anyone, but on Inglish Fischer himself (Bowie). Under his leadership, Hopkins won 22 times, and 16 of the fights he finished with a knockout.

Champion title

After a while, Hopkins Bernard meets with Roy Jones. The fight goes for the IBF title. Bernard hopes that this day will be for him fatal. But it did not happen - the boxer lost on points. Despite the defeat, many recognized Hopkins as a true boxing star in middleweight.

A year later the boxer again has a chance to realize his dream. On April 29, 1995, he meets with Segundo Mercado, who ranks second in the ranking. The fight takes place in the city of Maryland. Finally, Bernard Hopkins, whose biography is full of interesting facts, achieves his goal. He is an IBF champion. The subsequent battles for the confirmation of the title ended in knockouts of rivals. Among the defeated was John Jackson, who could not resist the opponent already in the 7th round of the match.

Victory, victory, victory ...

Then the fate of Hopkins smiled constantly. In 1997, Bernard defeated Glencoff Johnson, and then - over Andrew Kaunsilom.

In 1998, the boxer met with Robert Allen. The fight ended with Hopkins' injury. He fell over the rope and hurt his ankle. Fortunately, Bernard quickly came to himself and in revenge with ease defeated the opponent, sending him into the knockout already in the 6th round.

World Recognition

Despite the fact that Hopkins fought all the fights, winning only victories, he did not achieve world recognition. In 2001, he signed a contract with Don King and in the same year falls into his diamond collection of middleweight champions.

In 2001, he again won, this time over Marvin Hagler. Now Hopkins is the record holder for the number of successful defending champion title.

Next, he faces a fight with Trinidad, a boxer from Puerto Rico. It should be noted that Hopkins always differed in his ill-considered actions. So in this case. The day before the fight, the Boxer threw the flag of Puerto Rico to the floor and stood on it with his feet. The whole world was waiting for Bernard to apologize, but they did not follow. Moreover, before the eyes of tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans, Hopkins again flipped the flag and wiped his shoes on him. Then he barely blew his feet from the furious crowd.

The battle with Trinidad

The match was expected to be bloody. Hopkins more and more provoked an opponent. On September 15, 2001, the long-awaited battle took place. The first time in the life of the Puerto Rican boxer so beaten. His father even had to stop the fight because of multiple injuries on his son's face.

In the same year, Hopkins was recognized as the best boxer of the year 2001.

Further career development

In 2004, Hopkins Bernard met with Oscar De La Hoya and defeated him. Now he is the holder of the championship titles of 4 organizations. As the boxer says: "My life has finally acquired a new color, now I'm an innovation in boxing." I'm guru and god boxing, and no one can ever win me a victory. "

Social activity

Hopkins always paid much attention to children from disadvantaged families. He spent so much time with them that this could interfere with the development of his career. Hopkins tried to have a positive impact on the boys and demonstrate their own example from life. And to this day the boxer is trying to give them maximum attention.

Personal life

After Hopkins Bernard came out of prison, he was lucky to meet a good girl. And to this day the couple together. The boxer always speaks out loud that this is his beloved woman, to whom he is grateful for everything.