Bernard Hopkins on the Business of Boxing

Bernard Hopkins on the Business of Boxing
By Lee Hawkins

Light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins has done things differently in the boxing world. And in a sport where top-earning athletes can find themselves in financial crises, and sometimes bankrupt, Hopkins also manages his own career. Earlier this spring, at age 46, the three-time world champion made history when he beat George Foreman’s record, and became the oldest boxer ever to win a title bout.


Hopkins is an outspoken advocate for athletes taking as much control over their careers as possible, and for spending conservatively.

In a way, he says, his investment style is very similar to his fighting style. In the ring, he dances around and engages his opponent as little as possible, and so doesn’t get hit nearly enough as most fighters do.

In this financial world, he does the same. He is a self-proclaimed “conservative investor,” staying away from unnecessary risks.

“I’m a government municipal bonds, tax-free bonds guy. It’s not a big 15 or 8 or 9 percent return, but at the end of the day it’s safe money,” he said. “My lifestyle is in line with the dividends that are paid out of the bonds.”

He bristles when he speaks of athletes being encouraged by their advisers to leave their business affairs to others.

“No one in boxing came to me and told me the business of boxing. I was told the opposite. I was told, ‘Don’t learn about the business of boxing. Your job is to fight. Your job is to be the champion. This is what I do. I’m the manager, I’m the advisor, I’m the promoter. You concentrate on boxing, I’ll concentrate on the business points.’”

“’Why can’t I have both?’” he countered. “’You’re saying I should stay in the gym, I should train and concentrate on being the champion and being the labor. Why can’t I be the athlete and manage myself?’”

So, he said, “‘Let me try.’”

“And here we are, 26 years later.”

Video: More from Bernard Hopkins on being the oldest boxer ever to win a title bout and his life as an investor and a businessman.

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