By Scoop Malinowski

“As hard as it was for Bernard Hopkins to get here, it’s going to be just as hard to get him out of here.”

The great trainer discusses Bernard Hopkins and what may be the toughest challenge of his 17-year career, Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor:

Boxinginsider.com: Are you concerned about this fight with Jermain Taylor for Bernard?

Bouie Fisher: “Well, I’m always concerned about every fight. There’s no fighter that is a walkover. We’re not gonna underestimate anybody. We’re prepared to do our job, the way we prepare ourselves to do the job. As far as the opponent is concerned - he’s only got one thing on his mind - to win it. He’ll come to win. So if he comes to win, Come on. You’re in there with the best man in the world today. So if a guy comes in the ring to win, he’s gotta come to the best. And the best have to prove he’s the best.”

Boxinginsider.com: What’s going to be the difference? Why will Bernard come out on top?

Bouie Fisher: “Why? Well, first of all, he’s got experience. He has the will. He wants to win. He’s gonna win. And Jermain Taylor is a young, strong fella. And good luck to him. Hopefully one day he will be a champion. But not this day. Because he’s going in there with a guy that knows about boxing. And can teach a young fella something. It’s no disgrace for him to get in there and try to beat the best fighter in the world. He should try to do that. Come on and try and win it. Don’t let no one try to talk you into winning it. You can’t win it by talk. You gotta come in there and prove that you can do it physically. There’s a lot of talk being bounced off the walls on both sides, well I don’t low rate anybody in this business. Because any day can be your day. What I try to do is prepare for war. Prepare in my camp Bernard’s interests and we just get ready to do the job. And there’s several ways this job can be done. We’ll do it.”

Boxinginsider.com: In what fights do you believe Bernard was at his very, very best?

Bouie Fisher: “At his very best…well you could consider the Trinidad fight was one of the fights when he was at his very best. At his toughest was with Segundo Mercado, back in those days. But he’s at his best just about every time out. Because he stays in condition ready to do his best. And he’s dedicated to his profession. Does a good job and he loves his job. That’s why he’s able to do it the way he does.”

Bouie’s statement at last week’s Hopkins-Taylor press conference in New York: “As hard as it was for Bernard Hopkins to get here, it’s going to be just as hard to get him out of here. One day Jermain Taylor will be champ. But not this day. He still needs some schooling. Some of it will be brought to him on July 16. Whatever he brings to the table, we’ll take care of it. It’s going to be a good fight…This is the greatest champion since the great Ray Robinson. And he will continue to prove it.”