ESPN The Magazine's Body Issues tend to focus on athletes near the tops of their sports in peak physical condition. Generally, that means champions in their "prime years," usually considered ages 27 through 30. That's not the case in boxing's light heavyweight division though, where 49-year-old Bernard "The Alien" Hopkins reigns supreme.
Despite his age, Hopkins has continued to dominate the division. He's on a three-fight winning streak, most recently taking apart Beibut Shumenov on April 19. He used to be known as "The Executioner," but told ESPN in June why he switched over to "The Alien."
"I'm an alien," Hopkins said. "Being able to do what I do in the ring and out of the ring is evidence that I'm not from this world. I'm less than seven months away from being 50 years old and representing a sport that normally has "young" written all over it. To be where I'm at now -- competing against fighters who could be my kids and are half my age -- any other reason would be suspect. But I'm not suspect. I am the alien."
Hopkins hasn't always been the most popular or friendly fighter, but his accomplishments inside the squared circle are rare. His conditioning even as he nears 50 is enough to outlast fighters 10 to 15 years his junior, and he told ESPN that there's no specific diet to credit.
"I don't have a diet. Jenny Craig got a diet. Seriously. I eat to live, not to die. Put that quote down there: I eat to live, not to die," Hopkins said before touting his legendary discipline.
"It's more of a discipline, more of a lifestyle. When someone sees me and they don't know anything about boxing, they never ever can imagine that I am almost 50 and competing and winning and a two-time champion headed to be three before the end of this year. It is well-documented how I treat my body. If you read Bernard Hopkins name in the dictionary, the definition would be "discipline."
Hopkins' record currently stands at 55-6-2, and he made his pro debut in 1988.
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