Winky Wright « Philly Keith Sports

Bernard Hopkins vs Winky Wright press conference

May 17, 2007 Philly Keith Leave a comment

photos by Mike McGuigan

Philadelphia, PA (May 17, 2007)….This latest segment of the Bernard Hopkins vs. Winky Wright “Coming To Fight” 5 city press tour led to the Legendary Blue Horizon in Hopkins backyard of Philadelphia to generate interest in their upcoming showdown on July 21, 2007 which can be viewed live on HBO PPV. Below are comments from both fighters and HBO executive Mark Taffet.

Bernard Hopkins –

“They say I am the underdog. I am the poster boy for being everything that is the underdog.” ‘I proven I can do this as a 42 year old guy and still demand the respect by my performance. Winky comes with a lot of credentials, Winky didn’t get that by sitting on his butt doing nothing..”

“I know how it feels to be unbeaten, defend the titles. Try to get it some other way but can’t get it. 99% of the people know I need to have this. I need this fight, to beat the guy with the toughest defense, the hard to hit guy. You are only as good as your last fight but I won’t harp on Tarver but I have to remind you of it. Winky is no Tarver and Tarver is no Winky.”

“I went to the store for a Gatorade and I saw this. Tarver has been missing for a long time. You heard Tarver, he is gonna do this and that, now he is on a milk carton. Winky I might as well put you on one now so there is no mystery. Wright is wrong about this one.”

Winky Wright –

“I’d like to thank everyone for having me here. It is amazing when I heard that Bernard Hopkins wanted to fight Winky Wright, I thought it was a joke at first. I got the contract at a catch of 170 so I said lets do it. This is gonna be a throw back to the old days.”

“Bernard is bigger guy, older guy I am the young and smarter guy. He wants to stand up for Philly but I refuse to lose.”

“They say he fought great southpaws but he ain;t beat Winky Wright, he beat Tarver but he hasn’t beaten Winky Wright.”

“July 21 will be a heck of a fight. After this fight he is gonna know he should have stayed retired.’

Mark Taffet – on the heals of May 5th, it’s the privilege and honor to be amongst greatness like this. These guys have the focus, dedication and commitment to be the best. They don’t strive to be the best, for over 10 years they have been the best. Winky Wright hasn’t lost since 1999. Winky has never walked away from a challenge, fighting the biggest names and incredible wins over Mosley and Tito Trinidad. They thought Taylor fight was changing of the guard, the young bull but Winky brought it right to him.

Bernard Hopkins, what a pleasure it has been to work with Bernard, even in the latter portion of his career. 2 weeks after 9/11 he dominated Tito Trindad to win the Sugar Ray Robinson trophy. Then he has the big big win over De La Hoya. Most recently his memorable win over Antonio Tarver. That night he showed what he showed what he has over 20 times as a middleweight.

When the best fight the best there are so losers and July 21st you will see that. You will see what the greatest look like that night. Two of the true stars of the sport will be fighting each other. Documentary will start on July 16th and will air 17 times on HBO.