Die Allianz T-D-P » charges brought againsst the administrators

PHILADELPHIA -- Bernard Hopkins hobbled into the gym before a sparring session using a cane to aid his small steps. He scrapped his usual stylish Prada glasses for a cheap pair old fogeys might wear and a fake gray beard that sprouted several inches past his chin.Hopkins chuckled as he wagged his cane toward amused onlookers. Long a contender in the jumbled alphabet concoctions of boxing organizations, Hopkins seemed more fit in disguise to apply for an AARP membership. Hopkins is in on the joke and has the sober realization that not even he can KO Father Time.At 51, Hopkins may have enough Executioner left in him to make it seem like old times again inside the ring.Hopkins has forged his life by hook -- like the left one he threw to knock out Oscar De La Hoya -- or by crook, the time served at Graterford Prison that steeled his resolve for a boxing career. Just about a month before he turns 52, Hopkins will fight on both his word and contractual obligation for the final time in a 28-year career when he faces 27-year-old Joe Smith Jr. in a light heavyweight bout Saturday in Los Angeles.No one savvy enough around boxing will count out Hopkins (55-7-2, 32 KOs) for a final victory. Even as the years ticked from his late 30s to his late 40s, the days of thinking of Hopkins as a washed-up fighter sure to see his career end in a thunderous embarrassment have long ended.Nobodys laughing at me anymore, Hopkins said. That laughing made me motivated. How do I know its time? I cant find no one to laugh no more.Hopkins once promised his mother hed retire at 40. He vowed to quit at 41 after he defeated Antonio Tarver in one of his greatest fights in 2006. The Associated Press wrote of the fight that Hopkins had a storybook finish and noted Tarver starred in the final installment of the `Rocky series.Yet much like the fictional Rocky Balboa, Hopkins had many more rounds left in his story.At 48, Hopkins scored a 12-round unanimous decision over Tavoris Cloud to become the oldest boxer to win a major title.Im glad I reneged on that 10 years because Ive added to my legacy even further, Hopkins said. And nobody is complaining.Hopkins packs a punch on the short list of great geezers that include Nolan Ryan throwing a no-hitter at 43 or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar still sinking hook shots at 43. Chris Chelios hung up the hockey stick at 48.But fighting at 50? George Foreman, another geriatric great, had already traded gloves for grills by the time he hit the Big 5-0.Once Hopkins shed the old man getup, he hit the ring and physically looked like he was in prime, save for the salt-and-pepper beard. Hopkins dismisses the wisecracks about his age. He is about as serious and dedicated as any athlete in his training. Hes carved a straightedge lifestyle that bans drinking alcohol, keeps a healthy diet and a curfew of about 9 p.m. The two-weight world champion is known to splurge on a slice of cheesecake after a victory.His fitness, his daily physical commitment, has allowed him to thrive long after fighters of his era have retired.If he can, and his body allows him to, why not? Its not like anybody is hurting him, De La Hoya said. It just proves to everyone that age doesnt matter as long as you do the right thing.Hopkins is a minority owner in De La Hoyas Golden Boy Promotions and he will continue to broadcast fights in retirement. Hopkins said he planned to become involved in a yet-to-be-announced boxing series that could help revitalize the East Coast boxing scene.Whatever he does, the mouthy Hopkins will let the world know.Ive done just about everything, Hopkins said. Peoples points are well taken on how they think. But thats why we dont have a lot of people thats me.Hopkins wore an alien mask to the ring in his last few fights and his loquaciousness always stood out even among the cartoonish personalities in boxing. He enraged a country when he stomped on a Puerto Rican flag in San Juan. He said that Manny Pacquiao should fight more black fighters. Hopkins biggest foe was his most bizarre one; a one-sided verbal lashing of former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.While never stylistically pleasing, few middleweights ever performed better than Hopkins during a 10-year reign as champ. He called himself the reincarnation of Ray Robinson and Marvin Hagler when he defeated Felix Trinidad on Sept. 29, 2001 in the defining fight of his Hall of Fame career.Hopkins lost his first fight in Atlantic City in 1988 and didnt lose again until 1993. He made 20 successful middleweight title defenses and boasts multiple runs as light heavyweight champion.Hopkins saw quality opponents dry up the last few years and hasnt fought since a 12-round decision loss to Sergey Kovalev on Nov. 8, 2014.But Hopkins never stopped pushing for that final bout. He wanted to hear the bell sound for the last time on his own terms.Rules dont apply to everyone, Hopkins said. That can go a long way. I dont look at it as others do as Russian Roulette. Rolling the dice. I look at it as, Im one of those exceptions to the rules.Hell be the exception again when he steps inside the ropes at the Forum. The ex-con from the Philly streets who learned to box in prison has become nothing short of a model citizen forever stamped as one of the sports great fighters.I came, I proved and I showed that my legacy is always based on what they say I couldnt do, Hopkins said. Cheap Sabres Jerseys . Speaking Thursday on TSN 1050 Thursday, the Leafs GM also touched on the questions surrounding the teams leadership and the struggles of his big-name free-agent signing. “Its not from lack of effort from the coaching staff. Sabres Jerseys China .R. Smith realized how easily basketball can be taken from him, and he wasnt going to take his place in the NBA for granted anymore. https://www.cheapsabres.com/ .Y. -- Leading 3-0 with only 11:25 left, the Colorado Avalanche committed a seemingly meaningless penalty to give the New York Islanders a power play. Sabres Jerseys 2021 . They were putting most of their energy into a record-setting offensive display. Buffalo Sabres Pro Shop .C. - The Carolina Hurricanes have placed backup goalie Anton Khudobin on injured reserve with an unspecified lower-body injury.Former Rangers owner Craig Whyte is now the only person currently facing charges over the alleged fraudulent acquisition of the club after charges against several other men were formally dismissed. Whyte appeared alone in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow during a procedural hearing and the case was continued until July 29.Whyte was originally charged with four other men of conspiring to acquire and obtain by fraud a majority and controlling stake in the shareholding of the club.The court heard proceedings have been dropped against Paul Clark and David Whitehouse, who were appointed joint administrators of Rangers in February 2012 and attended Fridays hearing.Charges have also been dismissed against two others, Gary Withey and David Grier.A statement issued on behalf of Mr Whitehouse and Mr Clark said: From the outset, both have emphatically denied all allegations of criminal conduct against them.At a hearing in February, the Crown finally accepted the defence position in relation to the majority of the charges brought againsst the administrators.ddddddddddddThe remaining two charges were then dismissed by the court. Since then, the defence has repeatedly asked the Crown to confirm that the case against David Whitehouse and Paul Clark is at an end. That has at last been confirmed.This brings the proceedings against David Whitehouse and Paul Clark to an end. David Whitehouse and Paul Clark are relieved at the outcome. They are grateful to their families, friends, colleagues and legal teams for their support during a very difficult period.They will now be considering what further steps might be open to them to address the damage caused to their reputations and careers by a prosecution which should never have been brought.A Crown Office spokesman said: The Crown can confirm that proceedings are no longer live against Mr Clark and Mr Whitehouse. Also See: Rangers start with Well Warburton hails Barton Rangers video Rangers stats ' ' '