Bernard Hopkins Says Popularity Puts Ryan Garcia Over Undisputed Champ Haney!
Throughout the history of boxing, being the undisputed champion of a division meant you were the top dog of that division. However, according to former undisputed champion Bernard Hopkins, that’s no longer the case; it’s now about who’s more popular.
Hopkins told reporters ahead of Ryan Garcia v Javier Fortuna that Gervonta Davis is the lightweight division’s top dog. When asked about Devin Haney, who’s the undisputed champion, Hopkins said the following.
“So you can have all the belts, but that doesn’t mean they all fit your pants. Who’s more popular, Ryan or Haney? Who’s more popular?”
BLATANT HYPOCRISY!
For Hopkins, a former undisputed champion himself, to say that popularity outweighs the status of being an undisputed champion is ridiculous. Especially considering how he felt when he blamed being black on his lack of popularity back in November of 2014. Furthermore, Ryan Garcia, the same Garcia that Hopkins is praising, was in hot pursuit of facing then unified champion George Kambosos, deciding on who he would face in his first title defense.
It’s quite funny that Garcia and Golden Boy don’t have that same eagerness with Haney, who holds all the belts. At 135, Garcia vs Davis may be the most popular fight, but either guy vs Haney is the best and most important in the division.
Shame on Bernard Hopkins for his horrible take on this topic.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
By: Jerrell Fletcher
