Bernard Hopkins tells De la Hoya, Tyson, Holyfield to stay retired

The oldest man to win a world title in boxing history, Bernard Hopkins, has a piece of advice to his fellow legends pondering a trip back inside the ring.

Retired six-division champion Oscar de la Hoya, former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson, and another ex-heavyweight champ Evander Holyfield have all recently expressed their desire to compete once more.

De la Hoya, 47, last competed in 2008 where he was demolished by Manny Pacquiao in eight rounds. Tyson, 54, meanwhile, last saw action 15 years ago in a fight where he was beaten in six rounds by Irish journeyman Kevin McBride.

Holyfield, 57, on the other hand last competed and won against Brian Neilsen via 10th-round technical knockout in 2011.

“People I have talked to were surprised I said that (they should not come back) because of my age when I ended my career,” Hopkins told boxingscene.com.

“They forgot the most important thing when they say I went to 51, almost 52 I never stopped. I never took a three-year break much less 10 years off,” he stressed.

“The most important thing about any sport is you must be active and in boxing proactive. Bernard Hopkins was both of things at the top level at 30, 40 even 50. I never had a three, four, five years where I sat back, wasn’t in the gym, and was drinking glasses of wine.”

The trio may want to pay attention to Hopkins. After all, he fought professionally until he was 51 years old. And if there is no stopping his fellow legends from returning, there is another piece of advice he would like to offer.

“I would honestly tell them to pick on someone your age or older. There’s not a lot of guys 50 and up, but pick on someone your age and, of course, try to make it a quick a knockout as possible so there’s no embarrassment,” said Hopkins.

“Pick the right opponent and remember your legacy is still alive as long as you’re in the ring so you got to protect that legacy. I would say stay away from anybody not in your age bracket or a year or two under and any top guy out there,” he added.

“I don’t see anybody that’s retired, including myself, being competitive enough to win. I don’t want anybody, whether it’s my partner or anybody I really care about or support to get hurt. I would say, ‘Why would you [come back]? Can I talk you out of it for a minute?”

And if the old men pursue their tease to a comeback, Hopkins says the promoter might as well double the ambulance on standby.

“At most fights they got one ambulance, I think we should have two if they do because both of them could be out of breath and need oxygen,” he stated.

“But they’re not going to get licensed. You got to pass a whole bunch of tests. Who would license them? It would be a tragedy and devastating to boxing if they fought (and got hurt). It would have to be an exhibition.” – JM Siasat/RC, GMA News