MAYOR NUTTER HONORS BERNARD HOPKINS IN CELEBRATION OF HIS HISTORIC CHAMPIONSHIP WIN

Philadelphia, June 1, 2011 – Mayor Michael Nutter honored Bernard Hopkins outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art beside the ‘Rocky’ statue today. Bernard Hopkins, known as “The Executioner” (born January 15, 1965, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), is an American boxer. He is the current WBC and WBC Diamond, IBO and The Ring Light Heavyweight World Champion after defeating Jean Pascal on May 21, 2011 by unanimous decision in Montreal, Canada. With the victory, the forty-six year-old Hopkins became the oldest fighter in the history of the sport to win a major world title, surpassing the record previously held by former two time heavyweight champion of the world George Foreman.rnrnHaving defended a world middleweight title for a record twenty times, he is considered one of the greatest middleweights of all time. Hopkins grit and determination to live a clean and worthy lifestyle ever since he was released from Graterford State Prison in 1988 is one of the biggest factors in his success as one of the greatest athletes to come out of Philadelphia.rnrn“The real reason that Bernard Hopkins is a hero is because he is a survivor and a real-life example of what it means to be given a second chance” said Mayor Nutter. “He found a way to put his life on the right path even after going down the wrong one, and that is even more important than all of his accomplishments in the boxing ring. It is never too late to pick yourself up and start again. Philadelphia is the city of second chances, and we are proud to recognize Bernard Hopkins as one of our own.”rnrnWith Hopkins latest victory, many boxing experts now consider Hopkins a top twenty fighter of all-time and arguably, a top two or top three middleweight of all-time. Hopkins also holds notable wins over Oscar De La Hoya (via KO), Roy Jones, Jr. (via Unanimous Decision), and Félix Trinidad (via TKO).rnrn“I can achieve anything I set my heart out to do, and having this honor bestowed on me today by Mayor Nutter is another milestone for my record books,” said Hopkins. “Any time I fight, I represent this great city of Philadelphia and always want to make the city proud. I want to continue to send the message that anyone can overcome the odds to live a life worth its weight in gold. I am a walking testament to this motto and I am overwhelmed by the recognition I am receiving today.”rnrnEarly Lifern Born to Bernard Hopkins, Sr. and his wife Sue, Bernard grew up in the Raymond Rosen projects in North Philadelphia with his family. Hopkins turned to crime early in his life. By the age of thirteen he was mugging people and had been stabbed three times. At seventeen, Hopkins was sentenced to eighteen years in Graterford Prison for nine felonies. While in prison he discovered his passion for boxing. After serving almost five years, Hopkins was released from prison in 1988. He then decided to use boxing as an escape from his previous life, and converted to Islam. While leaving the prison for the final time, the warden told Hopkins he’d “see [Hopkins] again when you wind up back here,” to which Hopkins replied “I ain’t ever coming back here.”