Hopkins takes some time to promote and watch company's other fights

He's also preparing for his middleweight title rematch on Dec. 3.
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
PHILADELPHIA -- So this is what Bernard Hopkins does in his spare time: promote boxing matches featuring other fighters.
Just before he cloisters himself in training for his Dec. 3 middleweight title rematch against Jermain Taylor, Hopkins will be at ringside in Atlantic City tonight for boxing his company is promoting at the Borgata Hotel Casino. The night features separate fights by Kassim Ouma, Demetrius Hopkins and Rock Allen, the three featured clients of Hopkins' Golden Boy Promotions East.
Hopkins' crew drove to Atlantic City on Tuesday, straight from his Manhattan news conference promoting the Taylor fight.
"I still had enough time to get my workout in here and not lose three days," he said. Immediately after tonight's bouts, he'll return to Philadelphia, and in about a week he'll fly to California to train for five weeks at Oscar De La Hoya's ranch in Big Bear.
Being there tonight to do business is important, he says.
Company president
"I'm not a front man. I am the company president," he says. Last year, he became head of the East Coast side of De La Hoya's promotions company. "I am a busy guy, but I'm not distracted. I know that I have enough time. Five weeks is plenty of time for a veteran such as myself to prepare."
The fights ought to be worth his time. Ouma (21-2), the Uganda-born headliner who takes on Alfredo Cuevas in a 10-round junior middleweight fight, held the world title in that division until Russian Roman Karmazin upset him in July. The loss sidetracked a remarkable success story for Ouma, 26, who survived a horrific childhood to become champ. At about age 7, he was abducted with other schoolmates in Uganda and forced to become a child soldier in a bloody civil war, witnessing deaths among family members and friends.
Today, Ouma outside the ring is one of the most joyful presences in the sport. He says he can't really explain his loss to Karmazin, though some people say he had family travel details on his mind.
"It was just like I woke up on the wrong side of the bed," Ouma says. "It wasn't anything he did. I'm just ready to show the world I'm back on the road again."
Offers advice
Asked how he advised Ouma, Hopkins said: "My advice is that this is what makes champions -- they come back." Hopkins noted that after he lost to Roy Jones in 1993, he didn't lose again for more than a decade -- "didn't come close."
Demetrius Hopkins is 20-0 and on his way to a junior welterweight (140 pound) title shot. He was the first fighter his uncle Bernard signed to the Golden Boy East stable.
Junior welterweight Rock Allen (2-0), a 2004 Olympic team member, made his pro debut on the only other fight card at the Borgata, in August. He has been part of the Hopkins entourage for years. His father, Naazim Richardson, is Bernard's assistant trainer and works corners at his fights.
Golden Boy East will promote more Atlantic City events, though Hopkins says he'd like to make a Philadelphia show work.