Bernard Hopkins and the Art of War
Apparently the legendary warrior Sun Tzu made a disciple out of Bernard Taylor. Just ask his latest vanquished foe, Kelly Pavlik. 'Frustrate your enemy and aggravate your foe' must be tattooed on the heart of Philadelphia's finest.
If the opponent wants to brawl...he boxes. If they want to box...he brawls. If they want to retreat...he cuts the ring off. If they come forward...he counter punches. If they want to bang...he holds. But most of all, no one ever dictates the terms to Bernard; either in or out of the ring. Prison has a way of doing that to a man.
Philly fighters (just like the city...I should know. I did my residency at Temple University Hospital on Broad and Tioga...the heart of North Philly) are legendary for being tough, gritty, grimy bangers. If a Philly fighter ever sinned and quit on the stool the neighborhood wood burn his mother's row house down. Clearly, Bernard Hopkins has taken all of this and added his interpretation of the Art of War.
Tough but simple 'bangers' go out gloriously on their shields. Master strategists live on forever in glory.
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