Hopkins set for business after deal with Arum

Dean Juipe

Tuesday, June 1, 2004 | 10:35 a.m.

Self-managed and known as a tough negotiator, undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins admits to being bowled over when he first sat with promoter Bob Arum, fellow fighter Oscar De La Hoya and the fighters' legal representatives.

They got together earlier this year to discuss a two-fight deal in which Hopkins would first face Robert Allen, then face De La Hoya. On his end, De La Hoya would first face Felix Sturm before advancing to the fight with Hopkins.

Contingent in the deal is that both Hopkins and De La Hoya would win those first fights, which are scheduled for Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. If Hopkins and De La Hoya both win, they'll fight Sept. 18 at the same site.

"I listened to Bob and found him reasonable and honest," said Hopkins, who appeared Monday in the main lobby of the MGM to go through a brief workout and pump up the holiday crowd.

"I'm not a dumb guy, but I'm not the smartest either," Hopkins said, referring to the initial meeting between the fighters and their legal reps. "But I do know it's a lot easier to work out the details of a fight package when you're not being bamboozled.

"That was 90 percent of this deal. I was shocked.

"When things are going this good, it isn't the time to be paranoid."

The latter is a reference to Hopkins' built-in wariness toward promoters in general. To this day he has a $3 million lawsuit against promoter Don King pending and a number of anecdotal incidents that forged his negative impression of promoters.

Hopkins, 39, has just about done it all in boxing, from becoming a world champion to handling his own affairs to enjoying an interactive Web site. When he realized he was being treated fairly by Arum (and De La Hoya), he put his signature on the dotted line.

"You see how handsome he looks," Hopkins said, dismissing the fact he stands to receive some $20 million less than De La Hoya if they are to fight in September. "You look at me and he's handsome as hell.

"I'm being overpaid."

If Hopkins is taking "short money" to fight Allen and De La Hoya, he did so with the confidence that even greater money will follow after he defeats each of the middleweight contenders.

"I want 20 (successful) title defenses," he said of his run through the middleweight ranks and the fact that he currently has 17 consecutive successful title defenses in the books. "To do that, I've got to win these two fights that are ahead of me and at least one other.

"There'll be some good money involved."

Bettors are putting their money on Hopkins, who is a minus 1300 favorite in the sports book at the MGM for his fight with Allen, who is plus 800. Hopkins is also a minus 175 favorite for the proposed September fight with De La Hoya, who is plus 155. (De La Hoya is minus 1500 and Sturm is plus 1000 for their companion fight Saturday.)

Hopkins says he'll be able to win these fights and reach that goal of 20 defenses because he lives well.

"Genetics ... I think it's got a lot to do with genetics and ducking a few punches, too," he said wistfully.

But really, what's behind his longevity?

"Boxing is a sport where you need 100 percent of positive living," he said. "You have to be disciplined and patient. You have to learn how to eat, rest and take care of yourself.

"I feel great and the benefits will go a long way past boxing."

Hopkins is 43-2-1 and has not lost since 1993. While he expects to win his remaining fights he promises to be out of the game within two or three years.

"Lennox Lewis went out the best way you can go out," he said of the former heavyweight champion who retired this year while still in possession of his most prized championship belt -- and his faculties.

"We all deteriorate," Hopkins said. "But you have to know when it's time to go on to something else."