Photo: Rick Scharmberg

Whenever Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins arrives in Puerto Rico, it's like knocking down a bee hive. He has quickly become the man you love to hate. After all he's the man who dethroned our national hero, former middleweight champion Felix "Tito" Trinidad. It is no wonder that in the past, like in the movies where you have the hero and the villain, Hopkins played the role of the villain.

However, ever since that fateful September night, Bernard has visited the Island on various occasions and the people have seen a different kind of man. He's the type of person who gets involved with the people. He's kind, approachable and willing to say what's on his mind. He even apologized for the notorious flag incidents. It is no wonder that although Puerto Ricans can't accept the beating he gave our idol, they've been able to give Bernard their respect.

The middleweight champ made a quick stop in our island once again. This time he would come with a different agenda. And moments before he saw Oscar De La Hoya get belted by the WBO, he took some time out to sit with Fightnews and talk about his upcoming fight with The Golden Boy, the criticisms he's had to endure in the sport and of course Tito Trinidad.

Bernard welcome to Puerto Rico.
It's great to be back in San Juan. I have a lot of respect for this community and it's all about respect. I'm really enjoying my stay here and the people, the food and the weather.

How's everything coming along for your preparation for De La Hoya?
I'm training already for this fight back in Philly. Nothing heavy. Just tuning up my body for the upcoming fight. I just really want to make sure that I look in shape for the promotional pictures coming up. I'm running, hitting the pads, working the floor but no sparring yet.

Can we expect any surprises when you see face to face with Oscar De La Hoya in the promotional conferences?
Well, I'm looking forward to seeing Oscar and as far as surprises go, there will be none other than the fact that Bernard Hopkins will become truly undisputed when it comes to holding all four recognizable title belts. So history will be made again by Bernard Hopkin. No fighter I can think of has ever done that and I'll be the first.

Bernard you are 39 years old and still going strong. What keeps you going and on top of your game?
Well, if you look at the top 5 fighters in the last four or five years Bernard Hopkins has outlasted all of them. I want everyone who still has doubts about me to see where I am and how I've climbed up the pound for pound ladder. When people say things like 'he's made bad managing decisions' or 'he's let good opportunities get by' I like to show them that while they say those things I'm on top. They only try to say those things because I don't do what anyone wants me to do. But that's who I am. I don't do what others say. I do what I feel is good for me and my career.

The biggest of all those criticisms is that you're not getting any younger.
Exactly, but you know what? I turn all that into promotion. When Lampley, Merchant and even Emanuel Steward, who knows a lot about boxing, start saying in my fights that I'm 39 and that I could get old at any moment, that keeps people wondering if I'll get old overnight. But you know what? They don't realize I'm another version of George Foreman, who got better with the years. I'm like fine wine. I get better as the years go by. To be honest, I feel I'm in better shape than 90% of fighters who aren't even 30 years old today. It's all about longevity and I've been blessed.

Ever since your arrival to Puerto Rico, you've been asked about a possible rematch with Tito and if in fact one would happen.
You know..I have a lot of Spanish friends and I keep up with the news from San Juan and all the other media. They keep talking about that fight and all they all seem to be making excuses about why Tito lost that fight. Things like he got stuck in New York after September 11th and the other stuff with his marriage and the baby and all that. I can respect that, I mean we're all human. Don't get me wrong, I would have beaten him anyway because styles make fights and I have the perfect style for Tito.

But all great fighters ask for immediate rematches when they lose. They decided to go and fight Cherifi. I've got documentation from HBO saying that they didn't want Tito to fight me immediately. Basically, they didn't know how Tito was going to be after that massacre I gave him. So what do his people do? They throw Cherifi at him here at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum. I wanted him right away. But I would love to fight him again. All great fights happen at least twice. Leonard vs. Hearns, Pryor vs. Arguello, Ali vs. Frasier Lewis vs. Hollyfield...

As far as I'm concerned Hopkins-Trinidad is unfinished business. I just don't want to get into all the stuff with his father over who deserves more or who deserves less. Lets just do it!

Finally, You've had to fight the politics of the sport for so long, has there ever been a time when you've said 'the hell with it'?
Never, never....Never! If I do that they win. And that's when I prove to them that as long as I'm breathing. I'm going to continue fightning for what I believe is right... That's my personality.