Hopkins & De La Hoya speak!
Post-fight press conference report by Ralph Gonzalez
photos by Chris Cozzone, Rick Guzman & Mary Ann Owen
"I said I would be the first person to knockout De La Hoya. That was very important for me," said undisputed Middleweight champ Bernard Hopkins after crushing Oscar De La Hoya's middleweight unification dreams. The post fight press confrence saw an elated Hopkins giving props to the opponent he had just demolished "I gotta give Oscar a lot of credit. He came to fight like a warrior. Oscar came in to offset my game but I eventually warmed up and landed that liver shot."
Hopkins also discussed his future which he hopes will include a rematch with rival Roy Jones Jr. who was the last person to defeat "The Executiuoner". Hopkins stated that a match with Jones would be the most emotional for him of all his options. "My wife can tell you how many times I've seen that tape and Jones deserved to win but I have an itch for Roy Jones Jr."
Hopkins will now hold talks with Topn Rank chief Bob Arum to discuss his immediate future. "Top Rank treated me with respect throughout the whole process and they're the first to do that so Bob Arum has my ear first.
De La Hoya stepped up to the dais next and addresed the media. He discussed the brutal shot Hopkins landed first. "I wanted to recover but I couldn't. There's no excuses whatsoever. Bernard Hopkins is the undisputed champion of the world and a great champion."
De La Hoya expressed shock at the way the fight ended. "I never thought I would ever get stopped by a body shot."
De La Hoya had a plan for Hopkins that he felt he was never able to carry out like he wanted to. "My game plan was to fight a tactical chess match. I was surprised that Hopkins didn't put the pressure on like he always does."
So what's next for Oscar? "I really can't answer that now. I've been so focused on Hopkins and winning that I never gave any other options a thought."
De La Hoya left the question of a rematch open. "I can always be better. i can always up my game."
De La Hoya was also asked if he regretted his decision to face Hopkins. "I feel proud that I went up against the undisputed middleweight champ but I still feel very dissapointed that I let him hit me with that body shot. It was right on the spot. Its a shot that paralyses you. I wanted to get up but I just couldn't. I was angry and that's why I was pounding the canvas."
He also stated that he should've boxed differently. "I didn't use my jab enough. He's a smart fighter and I give him all the credit in the world."
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