Boxing saved B-Hop from a life of crime.In return, he has served it with distinction

BY any measure Bernard Hopkins is one of boxing’s greats, and one of nature’s marvels to be entering a ring competitively at 51.

His West Coast swansong in the early hours tomorrow against Joe Smith Jnr, a wicked puncher, will see him into the pantheon after 28 years a pro.

He has morphed from a seek-anddestroy merchant into a brilliant defensive technician who knows how to take his opponent’s power away.

Smith won KO of the year for the shot that sent Andrzej Fonfara to the canvas in June to win the WBC international light-heavyweight title, but he will struggle to land a clean shot on B-Hop even at this advanced stage.

Just look at the way Hopkins deconstructed the unbeaten slugger Kelly Pavlik eight years ago. And this on the back of a defeat to Joe Calzaghe.

B-Hop was already on the slide but still mightily effective. At his middleweight peak he was unbeatable for a decade, making 20 defences from 1994 to 2005 and unifying the titles along the way.

He sits easily in the company of the middleweight greats of any era. I’m not saying he would beat Marvin Hagler, Carlos Monzon or Sugar Ray Robinson but he would be in the fight alright.

In truth he was never my kind of fighter.

He wasn’t a Roberto Duran who would come at you from all angles. He didn’t have that raw excitement about him.

But he never ducked anyone and is not easing his way into retirement fighting Smith in Inglewood.

I met Smith last week in New York. There is a whiff of danger about him that might easily intimidate a lesser god. Not Hopkins. He will want to go out as the oldest champion in history. You have to admire his commitment, dedication, and sheer love of the game.

He is grateful for what boxing gave him, allowing him to escape the harsh upbringing in Philadelphia’s projects and the consequences of serving five years of an 18-year term for a number of serious crimes.

He picked up the gloves in Graterford Prison and cites that moment as the point when his life turned around.

There is no doubt boxing has transformed his prospects and, in return, he has served the sport with distinction.