[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 78 (Friday, June 16, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  CONGRATULATING BOXER BERNARD HOPKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHAKA FATTAH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 16, 2006

  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate celebrated 
boxer Bernard Hopkins on his illustrative career spanning 18 years and 
53 fights as the former WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO undisputed middleweight 
world champion and light heavyweight world champion.
  At the age of 41, Bernard Hopkins accomplished what few other boxers 
were able to do successfully. A 3-to-1 underdog, Hopkins jumped two 
weight classes and soundly defeated light heavyweight champion Antonio 
Tarver, who previously had a 24-4 record. Hopkins' victory over Tarver 
quieted critics who claimed Hopkins was overly ambitious in his desire 
to challenge Tarver for the light heavyweight championship, and secured 
his place in the boxing world as one of the best pound-for-pound 
fighters in history.
  Overcoming adversity as an underdog is a situation in which Hopkins 
is well familiar. Born and raised in North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 
Bernard Hopkins grew up in an environment surrounded by poverty, 
hardship, and violence. A repeat juvenile offender at the age of 13, 
Hopkins was a frequent visitor to a detention facility for juveniles in 
Philadlphia. By 17 years of age, Hopkins estimates that he appeared 
before a juvenile offender judge at least 30 times. After being charged 
with his eighth felony for strong-armed robbery, Hopkins was convicted 
and served in an adult detention facility until the age of 22. It was 
in prison where Hopkins found religion and his inspiration to dedicate 
his life to boxing.
  Citing his time of incarceration as a ``blessing,'' Hopkins boxed in 
prison and turned pro shortly after his release. Despite suffering 
several early career losses, Hopkins quickly gained the reputation of 
being an ``old school'' type fighter, dispatching his opponents 
mercilessly with speed and precision. By the end of 2000, Hopkins 
defended his IBF title 12 times without a loss, while beating upper-
echelon fighters such as John David Jackson, Glencoff Johnson, Simon 
Brown, and Antwun Echols. Perhaps the most defining fight of Hopkins 
boxing career occurred when he defeated six-division titleholder Oscar 
De La Hoya for the undisputed middleweight championship with a jarring 
knockout blow in the ninth round.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me today in congratulating Bernard Hopkins 
for establishing his place in boxing history as one of the most 
prolific professional fighters of all time.

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