BERNARD HOPKINS

I'm tired of proving myself.

One thing I want people to know before I leave this game is I gave it my all.

Oscar De La Hoya is unique. Even Ray Leonard didn't have the star power Oscar has.

Being able to do what I do in the ring and out of the ring is evidence that I'm not from this world.

I say the sweet science is to hit and not get hit.

I have to be smarter than my opponents. I have to figure out their styles in the ring. I have to be three or four steps ahead of them. So my mind has to be sharp.

I am a proud man and never takes things for granted in my life.

Protect yourself at all times. It's what I talk to school kids and college kids about when I do my seminars. I'm not just talking about in the ring. Protect yourself at all times.

I would love to play with the Flyers. I got the two front teeth missing, so I can look the part. I'm ready cosmetically. I could fit right in.

I'm the guy still driving a Nissan.

I'm amongst you all, but I'm not one of you all.

I have an orthodox style that a southpaw is confused with me.

Oscar De La Hoya and Bernard Hopkins is an event where actors and actresses will come out, and I give all credit to Oscar for that.

Soda is the worst thing.

Boxing is the sweet science. You hit and not get hit. There's no reward for you to hit me more than I hit you other than on the scorecards.

I understand and I don't understand human beings.

I don't rest in my business interests, I don't rest being a husband, I don't rest being a father, and I don't rest doing none of these things because when you rest, you get comfortable.

Some people might think they're invincible, but I don't.

If I can create an atmosphere to make my job easier and your confidence less, why not?

You do a deal - business deal, real estate deal, stock deal - protect yourself at all times. I got that from boxing. That's from A to Z: that covers everything in life. And it started when I heard it in the ring. They don't say that in basketball or football or any other sport that I know of but boxing.

The majority of fighters and athletes live double lives.

I think being 50 and being me is different than any other fighter in any era.

I respect people's opinion. Everybody has they own 'pound for pound' list.

A body that doesn't move mentally or physically dies.

I am not going to eat something that I have been told is not good for my system, and I do what I can to eat energy food, such as lean meats, whole grains, and lots of fruit and vegetables. Without this daily habit, my body would have given up a long time ago. There is no magic pill, no magic drink, no magic food.