"Bernard should have hooked up with Floyd Mayweather and tried to do something for the East Coast guys. If you look at it, everything is on the West Coast. There are a lot of fighters that feel left out. Well, not left out, but he went over there. I understand why he went over there because of television. They gave Oscar De La Hoya television, but they won't give Bernard Hopkins and Floyd Mayweather TV dates. They gave Oscar a platter with a whole lot of riches and fruit on it. And again, I have nothing against Oscar because I represent all boxers and I love fighting, but Bernard should have stayed on the East Coast and tried to cultivate the East Coast. And then down the line, it could have been East Coast boxers against Oscar De La Hoya's West Coast boxers. That could have turned into something lucrative. But I understand why he went over there because they were giving Oscar TV. He knew that he was a black man and they weren't going to give him TV time as fast as they would give it to someone like Oscar," stated former heavyweight champion Tim Witherspoon as he talked more about the current state of boxing and shared his thoughts on Bernard Hopkins, Floyd Mayweather, Amir Khan and much more.
PC: We left off with you talking about how fighters today don't take the route that you guys had to take and they pass on deserving opponents because of name sake.
TW: Exactly. And I understand the managerial thing where you're trying to market your fighter, get him the right fights and lead him to a championship, but I mean, to talk about Amir Khan fighting Mayweather...come on now. There are other guys less talented than Mayweather that can beat him and there are other guys out there that will kill David Haye other than the Klitschkos. So why do they want to make boxing like that now? There are more than enough professionals out there to not make some of these mismatches. They need to bring some of the older guys back to commentate. You got guys commentating that are good speakers, but they don't know the sport, so you need a lot of old guys that can come back and commentate that really know the sport. I would love to do it, but there are other guys as well; Pernell Whitaker, Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray. Why don't you bring those guys back and get their opinion? A few years ago, ESPN had a show on, and I know Teddy Atlas and we used to eat at Jack's. I don't know if you know him, but he died. He was a good journalist out there in New York. Everybody knew him and after a Mike Tyson fight, he would invite everyone to his house; stars like Matt Damon would be there. We would be there and have fun. I go to an ESPN fight and Teddy acted like he didn't even know who I was. They interviewed some up-and-coming guy, and I understand that, but here you have a guy that's a two-time heavyweight champion. Don't you think people would want to know what's on his mind? Joe Tessitore looked at me like I was nothing, and that's sad, the lack of respect retired fighters who put their lives on the line for years get nowadays. That's why boxing is like it is. They could have easily pulled me to the side and did a quick interview. I'm not bitter; I just think it's sad. I think they fear that we would sound more professional or more adequate than they will about the sport of boxing.
PC: I speak to a lot of old school guys like Floyd Mayweather Sr., Ron Lyle, and even this conversation with you, and you guys speak your mind and I think they fear that more than anything.
TW: That's my man, Ron Lyle. They don't want the middleweight that went to jail for a long time and then got released on there. What's his name? Hurricane Carter. Hurricane Carter told it like it is. He was on ESPN and he told it like it was. I said, "Now that's what we need because that's what people in the public want to hear." They want to see ex-fighters and ex-champions coming back to speak. Don't get me wrong, they want to see the young fighter too, but they don't know everything. Just take Amir Khan. They will interview him, but he ain't been there before and done it. It's okay to hear his opinion, but they need someone from the old school to cap it off and put the icing on the cake.
PC: You guys lost a legend out there in Philadelphia in Benny Briscoe. What was your take on Bennie as a fighter?
TW: Bennie Briscoe was a nice guy. I heard he was a nice guy. I met him one time when I was training in South Philly gym. Marvin Hagler came in there to train because he was fighting Bennie. I met him and Bennie that week and I went to the fight and Marvin had a hard time with Bennie. He knocked him down, but Bennie kept coming. I happened to go over to England and Marvin Hagler was doing a show, and I'm sitting at the table with him and I talked to him about Bennie Brisco. Marvin Hagler is a really nice guy. But he said Bennie Brisco was a helluva fighter. We all have to give praise to him and respect him.
PC: What is it like to see a guy the age of Bernard Hopkins fighting at such a high level still?
TW: I think that he's a great athlete, he stays in phenomenal shape, and he's a good boxer. I happened to spend a lot of time with his uncle, who passed away. His name was Artie McCloud. He was a real good middleweight boxer. He used to spar with Marvin Hagler and he passed away. I think that Bernard got a lot of his push knowing that his uncle was out there boxing. He used to spar with Eddie Mustafa Muhammad and I sparred him and he kept coming, this Artie McCloud. He had all of these different moves. We would be in Don King's camp at midnight, because we couldn't sleep, and we would go out in the gym and just do defensive moves and stuff like that. Bernard is a hard worker and he deserves everything that he's accomplished. He's doing the right things with business and I tip my hat off to him. The only thing that I think he should have did, and I have nothing against Oscar De La Hoya, but I think Bernard should have hooked up with Floyd Mayweather and tried to do something for the East Coast guys. If you look at it, everything is on the West Coast. There are a lot of fighters that feel left out. Well, not left out, but he went over there. I understand why he went over there because of television. They gave Oscar De La Hoya television, but they won't give Bernard Hopkins and Floyd Mayweather TV dates. They gave Oscar a platter with a whole lot of riches and fruit on it. And again, I have nothing against Oscar because I represent all boxers and I love fighting, but Bernard should have stayed on the East Coast and tried to cultivate the East Coast. And then down the line, it could have been East Coast boxers against Oscar De La Hoya's West Coast boxers. That could have turned into something lucrative. But I understand why he went over there because they were giving Oscar TV. He knew that he was a black man and they weren't going to give him TV time as fast as they would give it to someone like Oscar.
PC: I have to ask you about Bernard's old trainer because we haven't heard anything about him. Do you still see Bouie Fisher and how is he doing?
TW: I seen Bouie's son a few months ago and I seen Bouie about a year ago and he looked real good. Both of them looked real good. His son is always active as far as having fighters and stuff like that. Bernard helped a lot of people and he helped others, so I would think Bouie was one he helped and vice versa.
PC: You have been involved in several big time fights. Which fight sticks out in your mind most and why?
TW: I loved the Larry Holmes fight because it was a good one. I wish I was in that kind of shape for every one of my fights. But I would have to say the Frank Bruno fight. I went over into another country and defended my title with 50,000 people throwing money and all kinds of debris at me. We still won and that was a dream come true. The Larry Holmes fight was a good fight and it helped me get on the map, but the Bruno fight allowed people all around the world to know who I really was.
PC: I really appreciate your time. I look forward to having you on the site a lot more and you can call me anytime.
TW: Call me when you need something too, alright?
PC: You got it. Thanks for the interview champ.
TW: I appreciate it.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]