Bernard Hopkins speaks at NYC Press Conference

Middleweight Championship Series - Coverage from Madison Square Garden, NYC.

Bernard Hopkins: "I don't respect Trinidad or his flag".

Throws Puerto Rican flag on the floor at NYC Press Conference.

Written by Ozzie Gonzalez
Latino Legends in Sports

July 9, 2001 -- At a press conference in Bryant Park, New York City to promote the finale of the Middleweight Championship Series, Bernard Hopkins took a miniature Puerto Rican Flag out of Felix Trinidad's hand and threw it on the floor.

"This is a fight. This is no game. This is not for promotion. I'm laying the foundation for the execution." said Hopkins.

WBA champion, Trinidad, who always walks around with a PR flag nearby, looked very surprise and upset at what Hopkins did, but did not retaliate.

Trinidad and his father, Don Felix reacted with class and controlled the crowd who were appalled at Hopkins' action. The fighters didn't touch each other, but Trinidad spoke firmly about what he was going to do on Sept. 15th.

"I'm not going to touch you. On Sept. 15th, I will knock you down."

His father added, "The way he threw down the flag that's the way he'll go down on Sept. 15th."

The crowd was at an uproar, but father Trinidad tried to calm the crowd with words, "I want all the people of Puerto Rico to treat Hopkins well and give him respect as a human being."

Later on Trinidad said “He took my flag from my hand and threw it in on the floor. That is something no one should do. It was a great lack of respect." Trinidad continued, "I'm a boxer with experience and I'm not going to let him break my concentration."

Hopkins (39-2-1, 28 KOs), who is also known as "The Executioner" is the current WBC and IBF middleweight champion and has defended his title 13 times since 1995.

At a later conference for the media, when a reporter asked Hopkins if he was sorry for what he did and should he apologize, Hopkins responded, "I don't respect Trinidad or his flag. I'm not apologizing for nothing."

Hopkins went on to say that on Sept. 15th "he will break the hearts and plans of many people." In reference to plans of Trinidad fighting Roy Jones' Jr. after this fight.

Hopkins' psychological but disrespectful tactics might sell more tickets for the Sept. 15th bout with Trinidad, but it will come at a great price.