“When I left the penitentiary, I learned to…” Joe Rogan shocked as legendary Bernard Hopkins credits time in prison for boxing success
Former professional boxer Bernard Hopkins tells Joe Rogan about prison.
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Bernard Hopkins and Joe Rogan (image credit- Instagram)
Bernard Hopkins, also known as ‘The Executioner’ and ‘B-Hop’, is an icon in the sport of boxing. The Philadelphia-native boxer possessed an impressive all-around game, which made him a tough opponent. Hopkins could easily dominate his opponents from the inside or strike them while maintaining a distance with a sniper’s precision.
In addition, Hopkins used to cause trouble on the streets and authorities sent him to Pennsylvania State Prison in Graterford. Furthermore, Hopkins was 17 when he was convicted of a strong-arm robbery and came out of prison at 23. In a podcast with Joe Rogan, Hopkins spoke about his time in prison and how it changed his life. Subsequently, Hopkins stated, “When I left the penitentiary, I learned to stay away from the Philly cheesesteaks, the pizza, and the junk that clogs your arteries and kills you.”
Hopkins stated that going to prison changed his life for the better because he realized his potential. Subsequently, Hopkins stated that prison made him more conscious of his time and compelled him to spend it efficiently. Hence, prison helped Hopkins turn his life around for the better by teaching him about discipline, toughness, and self-worth.
B-Hop stated he would have never been a professional boxer and achieved greatness if he had not gone to prison. Before going to prison, Hopkins didn’t take boxing that seriously, but he fell in love with the sport in prison. Currently, there is a 60-foot-long mural of Hopkins at the penitentiary where he used to train in honor of his resilience and journey.
Bernard Hopkins’ boxing career
Hopkins was granted conditional release on parole in 1988 after having completed his 56-month sentence in prison. Subsequently, Hopkins stayed away from trouble and continued to focus all his time and energy on boxing. B-Hop made his professional debut in 1988 but lost the match via unanimous decision against Clinton Mitchell.
However, his loss made him more serious and dedicated to the sport, and Hopkins became a better fighter. In his professional boxing record, Hopkins won 55 fights, lost eight times, and had two draws. Hopkins became the IBF middleweight champion in 1995 and successfully defended the title 19 times. Subsequently, B-hop also dominated the entire weight division and unified the WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO titles.
Hopkins had one of the most legendary careers in boxing history, having fought professionally for almost three decades. Furthermore, Hopkins won the middleweight and light heavyweight titles and fought great fighters from multiple generations. B-hop’s most notable victory was over boxing superstar Oscar De La Hoya.
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Gerard Crispin
(3318 Articles Published)