The two boxing biopics I want to see in my lifetime are Mike Tyson (obvious) and Bernard Hopkins. Hopkins story is an amazing one, by the time he was 13 he was a petty thug in Philly and had been stabbed three times.
At the age of 17 he was sentenced to 19 years in prison on nine felony counts.
He got out after five years and that is when he started his boxing career. A career where he was overshadowed until he beat down Felix Trinidad 2001.
He is still fighting strong today at the age of 46 if you can believe that and considered one of the greatest boxers and trash talkers of our generation. He has someone in mind to portray him on the big screen.
“After I win, I’m ready to tell my whole story,” Hopkins told ESPN, who will once again try to become the oldest world champion in boxing history at 46 when he faces light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal this summer in Canada. “I studied at the university of life.”
Where Dicky Eklund had Christian Bale portray him, Hopkins is looking for an actor a little less decorated. “I want 50 Cent,” Hopkins said. “He has the swagger. He doesn’t look approachable but he really is. He understands my life. It was his life also.”
50 is not a bad actor, so I can see this happening, knowing Bernard he would want to direct the film himself. Wonder who will play Oscar De La Hoya? Probably Mario Lopez.