Hopkins, Allen trade words over title fight

Dean Juipe

Thursday, Aug. 27, 1998 | 11:05 a.m.

A week ago in Las Vegas, at a boxing press conference that was poorly attended and of little interest, a pair of fighters drew attention to themselves by having a shoving match.

It may not have been staged and it may not have been a mock confrontation, but there were suspicions when the promoter rushed video to the local TV stations and notified the papers.

Real or not, as a publicity stunt it probably worked. A press-conference brouhaha is always good exposure.

Wednesday the Las Vegas Hilton had one of its own. But this one was definitely impromptu and reflected the bad blood between Bernard Hopkins and Robert Allen.

"I'll be stepping into the ring with the ex-champ, the Executioner, or whatever they call him," Allen said, igniting a verbal melee with the reigning IBF middleweight champion. Allen, the challenger in Friday's co-main event at the Hilton, was being disrespectful and seemed proud of it as he detailed how he would lift the title from the self-proclaimed Executioner.

"That was tough talk," Hopkins replied after Allen expressed his opinions at the podium. "Intimidation helps in some cases, but it's what happens in the ring that counts.

"I saw you quit in the ring against (Brian) Barbosa, Allen. If you don't want to get hurt Friday, maybe you should quit right now.

"One thing about it, the fight won't last this long. It's going to be over quick and early."

The volume level was rising yet still moderate, until Allen's trainer butted in.

"Hopkins, you know and I know you're an old man," Pepe Corea said. "You're going to eat so many left hands you won't believe it. No way you beat this young'un."

Hopkins, 32 and preparing for his eighth title defense, took the bait.

"Why don't you go bet something on that?" he said. "Go down to the sports book and put your percentage on that."

Hilton security guards moved into the ready position as the atmosphere became a bit heated.

"I'm going to bust your ass Bernard," Allen hollered. "People don't even talk about the middleweight division anymore because of you. I'm going to do boxing a favor."

"I'll open up your head for you," Hopkins said, smiling but sincere.

With that, Allen rose and approached Hopkins. They didn't get close enough to trade blows and it would have been stupid if they had, but there was plenty of indignation to go around as assorted handlers intervened.

In quick order, a fight and a fight card in need of an infusion got just that.

Allen, 29, and Hopkins will square off for real in one of two main events on the Hilton's first of consecutive-night cards. In Friday's other feature, legendary five-time former champion Roberto Duran takes on WBA middleweight champ William Joppy.

But it was Hopkins and Allen grabbing the press conference spotlight.

"This is show business," Hopkins said, realizing the benefit of the public display with Allen. "I've seen this type of thing before. He says he's going to take my title, but I've heard other guys say the same thing before they had to get in the ring."

Hopkins, 34-2-1, is a minus 650 favorite.

Allen, 22-2, is a plus 400 underdog.

"Some good boxing people have been telling me Allen is confident and improving and that he could win," Hilton vice president Art Manteris said. "But I think Hopkins is one of the two or three best fighters in the world and that there isn't anybody who can beat him at 160 pounds.

Aside from losing his pro debut, Hopkins' only loss came to Roy Jones in 1993. Hopkins' manager, Dan Goossen, said they'd like a rematch (perhaps at 168 pounds).

"It was once our goal to unify the middleweight titles," Goossen said. "But that no longer seems to be in the cards. It would be great, but it's hard to make fights when there are other parties who don't want to make the fights.

"Now our goal is to fight Jones again. Bernard may be the only guy who can beat him, so that's the fight we'll go for after this one."

Yet the fight immediately in front of Hopkins, the one with Allen, could be exciting and victory for the champion is no sure thing. That impression seemed a little more vivid Wednesday, as the press conference achieved its ultimate goal.