By Allan Fox: It’s already been six months since 47-year-old Bernard Hopkins (52-6-2, 32 KO’s) last fought in a 12 round decision losing effort to Chad Dawson, and Hopkins still doesn’t have a fight scheduled. It’s looking like his bout against Dawson will be the only fight for Hopkins in 2012, and it’s unclear when and if he’ll be fighting again. Hopkins turns 48 in January next year, and that’s really getting up there age even for a legend like Hopkins.

Hopkins said to the Daily News as quoted by Philly.com “There are a lot of guys out there who are afraid of Bernard Hopkins, and they should be. I’ve upset too many plans. Jean Pascal hasn’t fought in like a year and a half. I ruined him. Kelly Pavlik hasn’t been the same since he fought me. Other guys’ managers and promoters know that.”

To be sure, Hopkins did do a great job on both Pascal and Pavlik, because those guys were at the top and Hopkins beat both of them pretty soundly. However, I hope Hopkins isn’t just resting on his laurels now from those wins because at his age you can’t take long periods of time off between fights without there being a danger of losing something. Hopkins already lost his last fight against Chad Dawson last April, and he’s not been in the ring since. I don’t know that I buy the bit about Hopkins ruining Pavlik and Pascal.

I think Pavlik has had a lot of problems outside of the ring that has done a good job of slowing his once promising career. Whether those problems were a direct result of his disappointing loss to Hopkins perhaps will never be known. As for Pascal, he seems to be dealing with injuries and who knows what? He could be just enjoying his life and re-energizing, because he was paid well for his two fights with Hopkins.

Not all fighters are afraid of taking on Hopkins. I know for a fact that WBO light heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly would is very interested in taking on Hopkins, and would likely take the fight either in the U.S or the UK. That’s definitely a fight out there for Hopkins should he want to take it. I’d bet that Pascal wouldn’t mind facing him again as well to try and avenge his loss to Hopkins last year.