Bernard Hopkins: “I believe that I will be the undisputed light heavyweight champion, and candidate for fighter of the year!”

The ageless warrior and living legend of boxing once against surprised and amazed boxing fans and critics alike last month when he took on a fighter 19 years younger, a world champion, and easily out boxed him to become the oldest unified champion in boxing history. Most would think that would be enough, but Hopkins has set his sight on another goal, and that is becoming “Undisputed.”

In part 1 of my interview with Bernard Hopkins, I get his thoughts on his most recent win, and how he believes people view his performance. I also talk to Bernard about the possibility of facing Ring Light Heavyweight champion, Adonis Stevenson, and what becoming the undisputed champion in another weight class would mean to him. Additionally I get Hopkins’ views on how he goes about fighting Stevenson if the fight does take place. Here is what Bernard Hopkins had to say.

Jenna J: Last time you were in the ring you looked as good as ever at 49 years old. You’ve had a few weeks to think about the fight, what are your thoughts?

Bernard Hopkins: I really didn’t have 3 weeks to think about it, I already understand what was going on and what transpired. I think everybody else had a few weeks to think about it and dissect it and also reflect on replays and analyzing how I disarm and continue to disarm my opponents.

I think that when they analyze it and they get a chance to dissect it, they understand the significance of the sweet science, as you’ve mentioned many times on interviews about the sweet science, and that’s what I like to display when I get the opportunity.

Jenna: Bernard, what’s next for yourself? Do you think Adonis Stevenson will give you the fight you want?

Hopkins: Well I think that when you think, when you say, when you believe, or even if you have a fan base saying that you are the best. I think at the end of the day, you have to be the best by not only having public approval — you also have to have all the armor that comes with saying that you’re the best.

“The man who beat the man” is a repeated statement, Stevenson beat Dawson, Dawson beat me by decision — lackluster or not, a win is a win, a loss is a loss. In a division that I’ve always been in, whether it’s middleweight of light heavyweight, I always want to be the undisputed and the best, the old school champion in the new world. I haven’t changed that mentality, I haven’t changed that mission.

The man who beat the man is wanted by ‘The Alien.’ From the last time I heard, Stevenson wanted to fight the best and he wanted to fight the legend, he was very open and vocal about it. I accommodate him. I had to do certain things to get here where I’m at, one was a mandatory then a fight, and now here we are.

Jenna: What has to happen for the Stevenson-Hopkins fight to take place?

Hopkins: One thing has to be done and taken place first, and that is at the end of the month — Adonis Stevenson has to take care of his opponent. No fight is easy at this level to the point of underestimating anybody. Floyd Mayweather will tell you that today.

We understand that the stakes are high. Whatever makes sense, whatever is good, not only for boxing but for me personally and also for my legacy. Stevenson is the guy at the light heavyweight division, but I am the legend.

Jenna: If Stevenson does win his fight, the question isn’t how you would deal with him, the question is, how does he deal with you? How does Adonis Stevenson stand a chance of beating a man that not many people can beat?

Hopkins: Well you do what you do best and you do what you’ve been doing to win the fights up to here. It’s no magic trick, it’s no situation that you can speak about whether I give a plan out or don’t.

I don’t believe in saying things that you’re gonna do and just giving up a plan because plans change whether we like it or not. You make those adjustments — you saw that 3 weeks ago — you seen me make adjustments, and you’ve seen my opponents couldn’t make adjustments.

The sweet science is not only about offense, it’s about how you make those adjustments when things aren’t going too well for you early — not necessarily getting your butt kicked — when it’s kind of slow, then you make those adjustments. Some don’t make them till later, some don’t make them until it’s too late and some don’t make them at all.

You have that situation where we make those adjustments, and so no matter what plan I give you, no matter what plan that he has — at the end of the day if he wins, if we fight and get together late this year, I believe that my IQ and my chess book with the mentality of what I know, and my experience, I believe that I will be in position to be the undisputed light heavyweight champion of the world — candidate for fighter of the year, because of what I’ve accomplished and last but not least — my age factor in doing what I do. It can’t be denied, it can’t be undercut and it can’t be under appreciated.