Bernard Hopkins Vs Sergey Kovalev, Boxing Racism Row: "Race Is Why Im Underrated" - Light Heavyweight Title Fight, Preview

This weekend Bernard Hopkins will take on Sergey Kovalev for his light heavyweight world titles; but just days before the bout, he has brought up a huge boxing racism row, and one that's not likely to go away. But does he have a point? The unified champion has done what many dream of doing, yet he's received little to no recognition, and he doesn't believe that's a coincidence, stating that the reason he's underrated is down to his race.

The champion set the record for being the oldest boxer to win and defend a world title, and he will be nearly 50 at the time of his next bout in New Jersey. His stunning form should be considered elite, but many wouldn't even know what he's achieved, but for what reason?

Hopkins explained, saying, "[It's] because I'm black. What do you think if my name was Augustine, Herzenstein, Stern? Cappello? Marciano? Don't you understand the conflict of interest? If I was any of those names of any other background, I'd be on every billboard and every milk carton and every place to be. If we're talking 'American Dream,' here's a guy who almost threw his life away and he took this great country's great attributes and used it -- do for self, work hard and be a law-abiding citizen. I've done that for 26 years."

He went on to say, "If you really look at it, I have done the 'American Dream' that people have died on boats to come here to live. I have done all of that and then you look back and say, 'Wait a minute, what's wrong here?' A lot of people are not bold to say it, but I am."

Could Hopkins win again this weekend, or will his record-setting run come to an end shy of his 50th birthday, and why isn't he getting the recognition he rightfully deserves?