Bernard Hopkins may have won the war of words but that does not seem to matter to Oscar De La Hoya, who is cast in the role of underdog for tonight’s middleweight title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Hopkins, who will make the 19th defence of his middleweight titles, spent most of the week trying to convince the media he is still great at the age of 39.
“I’m a natural, he’s (De La Hoya) not a natural,” Hopkins said.
“He’s an unofficial middleweight. When he steps in with a natural, all of his impurities will show.”
This is only De La Hoya’s second fight as a middleweight and he was not impressive in his first, barely winning a decision over Felix Sturm in June.
Most observers believe he will not last long against Hopkins.
“For the first time in my career I am the underdog,” the 31-year-old De La Hoya said.
“This is the fight of my life. It is my last big hurrah.”