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X-rated Hopkins and a date with PacinoLight heavy by Ben Dirs - BBC Sport (U1657561) 17 April 2008   Final pre-fight news conferences are peculiar things. While the accepted wisdom is that they are full of fighters tucking into other fighters' legs and threatening to eat each others' children, they're normally about as surprising as a bag of Revels. On Wednesday night, I went to the pictures with that Al Pacino Hopkins looks very much at home holding court on the dais, like a Baptist preacher in his pulpit, and between all the pontificating, he does a nice line in comedy too. But he has a distinctly nasty streak, as when ripping up a Puerto Rican flag ahead of his 2001 clash with Felix Trinidad, and he will hope his weasel words have the desired effect and rile an until now serene Camp Calzaghe. Promoter Frank Warren, acutely aware there are still tickets to be sold, had tried his best to cause a bit of a rumpus at the set-piece event by highlighting Hopkins's lack of home support. "Are the Americans going to come out for their man? We're here and we've brought 9,000 people," said Warren, as Hopkins shrugged and mugged for the cameras. "You tell us you're a legend, I just want to see these fans come out and prove you're a legend." This outburst led to a slightly embarrassing riposte from Richard Schaefer, the CEO of Golden Boy, Hopkins's promotional team, who only just fell short of declaring his undying love for B-Hop. At one point, it looked like he was going to cry. "The Americans will come and support this legendary fighter," quivered Schaefer, as if he had just accepted an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. "He is a legend and I'm asking the American public, come here and support this great, great fighter. "It is about England v USA," he continued, overlooking the fact that Calzaghe is from Wales. "Yes it is...YES IT IS! Let's see if England can tie it up..." Remarkable stuff. On Wednesday night, I went to the pictures with that Al Pacino. Just me, the BBC radio chaps and a few hundred other people. Al was wearing his leather jacket and everything, and I'm pretty sure he waved at me. Hopkins is employing a specialist southpaw trainer, which is strange for a man who calls himself a 'southpaw assassin' The occasion was the world premiere of his latest movie, 88 Minutes, to which the press pack had all been invited. I made my appearance on the red carpet wearing old-school polo shirt by Sergio Tacchini and flip-flops by Quiksilver. Don't worry, I got changed. Now, I'm no film critic, but I don't reckon it's Pacino's best work. I'd stick it well below The Godfather Parts I and II and just below Scarface. To be honest, it's probably on a par with Confessions of a Driving Instructor, and I reckon Robin Askwith would have been more convincing in the lead role. I couldn't tell you how it ended because I ducked out after an hour, and I didn't even get the chance to do the old 'yawn-cum-arm-round-the-shoulder' gag because I was sat next to Duke McKenzie, which was a shame. PS. According to the director of 88 Minutes, Jon Avnet, Pacino is a 'national treasure'. We get Richard Briers, they get Al Pacino, which says something. Although, thinking about it, I can't think what it says. Sorry, that sounded quite good when I first thought of it. PPS. Bernard Hopkins is employing a specialist southpaw trainer, which is strange for a man who calls himself a 'southpaw assassin'. PPPS. Consider this odd exchange with eminent boxing historian Bert Sugar by the coffee machines. Sugar: "Where's the coffee cups? There's coffee, but no @#@*ing coffee cups." Me: "I think you have to drink it out of those glasses." Sugar: "If you want them to crack. These guys couldn't arrange a two-car parade..." Latest 10 commentsRead members' comments or add your own
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tex_manc29 (U11638568) posted Apr 17, 2008 BEN, I was actually on your side before and was responding to a comment left by jobyjak regarding Dan Rafael's article on the Hatton fight.
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tex_manc29 (U11638568) posted Apr 17, 2008 JOBYJAK, sorry I should have been more clear I was responding to you not Ben.
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beautifulgame (U2520943) posted Apr 17, 2008 Ben, you are an excellent writer and you provide a great deal of entertainment for a lot of people, but there's no need to be so aggressive in your responses. You're not going to convince anyone who doesn't think you're good already.
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tex_manc29 (U11638568) posted Apr 17, 2008 Oh and just to get back to the fight, No way does Hopkins win this fight! Its just not going to Happen he wouldnt have beat Calzaghe ten years ago and he isnt going to beat him on Saturday.
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pdzanderson (U11656725) posted Apr 17, 2008 writing hopkins off for his age is one thing but for being cocky im not so sure. i thought the same with mayweather and we found out exactly why he was cocky.
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sps2005 (U7653927) posted Apr 17, 2008 Ben this was another qualtiy piece. Some people on here really are quite annoying. I loved your stuff through the RWC. The stuff you do is a lighter read whilst still being informative. Have fun in Vegas and maybe try and catch another film.
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wondrousGoonerboy (U11211243) posted Apr 17, 2008 Well what a hype. bbc five live is the best place to be. I am hopeful its going to be commentated by the same guy who did hatton and mayweather. I am of an african origin and reside in Wales and hopeful Joe will teach the oldman a lesson for his dirty race comments.
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Helicanarsus (U6669075) posted Apr 18, 2008 Any chance of getting a response to my post Ben?
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JPR (U9852384) posted Apr 18, 2008 Ben, I enjoy your articles and commentary on all the sports you cover.
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JobyJak (U5992775) posted Apr 18, 2008 From my point of view, I did attack Ben's first article, as i thought it was far too self indulgent and I couldn't believe that my TV Tax was used for this purpose. Comment on this article |
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