Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Posted: 11:30 p.m.
CSNPhilly.com
Bernard Hopkins certainly holds a grudge.
Yes, the veteran boxer is preparing for another championship fight. He is also back bashing Donovan McNabb.
The saga began when Hopkins felt slighted by McNabb while visiting the Eagles' practice facility during Terrell Owens' days in Philadelphia. Hopkins since has never minced words when discussing the former Birds quarterback, criticizing him several times on Comcast SportsNet.
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But his most recent comments might be the height of the one-sided feud (McNabb has never responded).
Training at Joe Hands gym in North Philadelphia for his May 21 rematch with Jean Pascal in Montreal, Hopkins on Tuesday discussed the first bout, which ended in a draw, but his most jarring remarks were instead, once again, aimed at McNabb.
Hopkins again asserts that McNabb wasnt tough enough to lead the Eagles to a title, citing the six-time Pro Bowlers privileged upbringing in suburban Chicago. Now that Michael Vick has replaced McNabb, Hopkins feels the Eagles finally have a chance to win it all. Because, Hopkins says, while Vick and McNabb are both African American, McNabb's different.
Hes got a suntan, thats all, said Hopkins.
I can relate not to what Vick did, but what kind of guy inside he is that McNabb didnt have. That doesnt make McNabb a bad guy. It goes back to what we always say about upbringing.He was blessed to be in a setting that was different than most of us. That difference makes a difference in certain areas.
Hopkins said McNabb has great skills, but theres something missing.
Vick, he understands, and T.O.same cloth, Hopkins said.
McNabbnice guy. Chunky Soup, everything is great, always showing his teeth. Nice guy. Nice guy. Ill trust him around my kids.
But he didn't have what was needed to lead the Eagles to their first Super Bowl title. Vick does.
If we have a chance, which we do, its with him more than anybody else right now, said Hopkins, who also believes McNabb felt betrayed after being traded to Washington, claiming McNabb was the guy in the house, while everybody else is on the field and had the extra coat and extra servings.
McNabb felt betrayed because he wanted to be and he thought he was one of them," Hopkins said.
Hopkins next Saturday on HBO will try to beat Pascal for the WBC and Ring Magazine light heavyweight championship. And hell do so in style.
I am the franchise of Philadelphia right now, Hopkins said, pointing out that the Sixers and Flyers are out of the playoffs, and the Phillies are still early in their season. Im a Philly fan guy. McNabbs out of townI aint gotta worry about that no more. So everything is good. This is another incentive for me to represent that.
I will be wearing my Bobby Clarke jersey to Montreal, because I know how we feel about Montreal in a hockey arena.I want to instigate and agitate a little bit up there.