Hopkins looks for more than just a title belt at 48

Even at 48 — no, especially at 48 — Bernard Hopkins sees shadows lurking around every corner, the cloaked hands of his unnamed oppressors pushing him down into the darkness of relative obscurity instead of pulling him into the public light for the benefit of public scrutiny.

"There is a strong bias (among) powerful people who want to keep their feet on my neck,'' Hopkins told USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday.

That is pure "B-Hop,'' of course. The old-school, outspoken fighter from the Philadelphia projects with the hardened boxing soul views life through his unique prism.

But whereas George Foreman transformed himself into a beloved icon and a marketing sensation while fighting into his late 40s, Hopkins virtually is ignored as he tries to break his own record for longevity on Saturday night.