BoxRec

www.philly.com/dailynews/spor...to_cancer.html

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Edit - Never mind it's working now

http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/ ... ancer.html

Bernard Fernandez: Hopkins' biggest fan gets final wish before succumbing to cancer

IT COULDN'T be a coincidence, could it?

It couldn't possibly be a coincidence that an 18-year-old Bernard Hopkins fan, given no more than 2 weeks to live (nearly 3 months ago), could withstand the ravages of a particularly aggressive form of brain cancer long enough to see his hero's dominant performance in defeating Kelly Pavlik on Oct. 18.

Michael and Renee Negler, parents of Shaun Negler, who passed away in his sleep last Thursday, are convinced that the younger of their two sons willed himself to stay alive long enough to share one last moment with the fighter with whom he had become so very close.

Blind in his left eye, in near-constant pain and barely able to move, Shaun Negler remained awake and in good spirits throughout Hopkins' pay-per-view bout with Pavlik, even making the Hopkins' signature crossed forearm "X" signal at the television screen before the bell for the first round sounded.

Shaun's parents, who live in the Parkwood section of Northeast Philadelphia, choked back their own emotions long enough to videotape his final moments of happiness, which they expect to show to Hopkins later.

"Shaun was alert and awake throughout the fight," Renee told me. "At 1 o'clock [Sunday morning], we took him upstairs. When we went back later, he had sort of slipped away. He never really regained consciousness."

"I will always believe that he held on as long as he did because of Bernard Hopkins," Michael added. "He refused to give in to death until he saw Bernard fight one more time."

The improbable story of Shaun Negler was detailed in this space on April 22. He was an amateur boxer who had been Hopkins' self-described "No. 1 fan" for almost as long as he could remember. But it was his failing health that finally brought him into contact with the longtime former middleweight champion.

After his left leg was amputated below the knee on Sept. 28, 2006, Shaun asked whether there was any way a meeting with Hopkins could be arranged. B-Hop visited him at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and was so touched by Shaun's courage that he presented him with an expensive, limited-edition "Executioner" watch.

Their relationship was expanded upon when the Make-a-Wish Foundation selected Shaun as a recipient for the sort of dream fulfillment the organization provides for seriously ill or dying children. And what Shaun wanted was to be at ringside for Hopkins' April 19 bout with Joe Calzaghe at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Shaun and his family - Michael, Renee, brother Mike Jr. and sister Brittany - were flown to Vegas, all-expenses paid, where they met with Hopkins in his hotel suite for more than an hour.

That very well might have been that, except that Shaun's cancer, which had been in remission, returned a few months later and began voraciously eating away at his body, if not his spirit. Michael contacted me to see whether Hopkins might speak to his son just one more time.

But B-Hop did better than that. He showed up at a Negler family gathering for 5 hours, even allowing Shaun to drive his $150,000 Bentley for a short distance.

They became text-messaging buddies, so much so that Hopkins, without fanfare, dedicated his fight with Pavlik in Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall to the kid he called "the bravest person I've ever known" and "like my own son."

"If you told somebody Shaun's story, they wouldn't believe it," Hopkins said. "But whatever you believe in, whomever you bow your head to, his life is proof that we should never question God."

Hopkins doesn't. Getting to know Shaun, he said, "is proof to me that we can touch people that we don't even know, and they can touch you right back. Shaun Negler is my inspiration. He should be an inspiration to all of us."

Shaun's "Executioner" watch, his proudest possession, has been given to Mike Jr., but in Shaun's casket will be placed the gloves and hand wraps Hopkins wore for the Pavlik bout. Hopkins also will serve as a pallbearer for tomorrow morning's funeral at Resurrection Cemetery in Bensalem.

"Having something of mine that will be with Shaun forever means a lot," Hopkins said. "I think about him every day. He was my biggest fan. And you know what? I'm his biggest fan, now and always."

Renee Negler insisted Shaun did not succumb to the disease that ultimately claimed his life. He just wasn't able to outlast it indefinitely.

"As far as I'm concerned, Shaun beat cancer," she said. "Cancer did not beat him."

Touching story I think, it shows there is a heart below the mean looking exterior

After the Pavlik fight, Hopkins said we should appreciate him while he's still active because once he's retired it will be too late! I've long appreciated Hopkins & its about time those who currently do not started to. Bernard is not only a special fighter, but his actions in respect of one of his biggest fans suffering show he's also a class human being who considers others!

Out of all sports personalities, Bernard Hopkins is the one person I would relish the opportunity to meet! Great guy!

Fair play.

Rocky Balboa wrote:After the Pavlik fight, Hopkins said we should appreciate him while he's still active because once he's retired it will be too late! I've long appreciated Hopkins & its about time those who currently do not started to. Bernard is not only a special fighter, but his actions in respect of one of his biggest fans suffering show he's also a class human being who considers others!

Out of all sports personalities, Bernard Hopkins is the one person I would relish the opportunity to meet! Great guy!

I agree Rocky, but Bernard has shown little class in selling PPVs before.

He seems to be mellowing more now, but burning flags, causing commotions at weigh-ins and making racist remarks should not be forgotten.

Emerson Poncey Name Ghent wrote:
I agree Rocky, but Bernard has shown little class in selling PPVs before.

He seems to be mellowing more now, but burning flags, causing commotions at weigh-ins and making racist remarks should not be forgotten.

All hype. Come on now.

Hopkins will do just about anything to sell a fight. Doesn't mean that his story isn't an example of what can be achieved with determination and hard work.

Hopkins should be a role model for any inner city kid.

JCS wrote:

Emerson Poncey Name Ghent wrote:
I agree Rocky, but Bernard has shown little class in selling PPVs before.

He seems to be mellowing more now, but burning flags, causing commotions at weigh-ins and making racist remarks should not be forgotten.

All hype. Come on now.

Whilst I agree it usually is all hype, his remakes regarding DiBella commiting suicide like his brother after he beats Taylor were well below the belt. In saying that I couldn't care less about his white boy comments.

OK, but when i visited that crippled boy in Hospital last year, it didn't make the papers.

Well, the story about me crippling the young lad did get in, but my subsequent (court ordered) visit never did



"One rule for them, one for us"

Carbo wrote:
Hopkins should be a role model for any inner city kid.

Not the armed robbery & jail bit surely?

Nice story, quite touching

Emerson Poncey Name Ghent wrote:

Rocky Balboa wrote:After the Pavlik fight, Hopkins said we should appreciate him while he's still active because once he's retired it will be too late! I've long appreciated Hopkins & its about time those who currently do not started to. Bernard is not only a special fighter, but his actions in respect of one of his biggest fans suffering show he's also a class human being who considers others!

Out of all sports personalities, Bernard Hopkins is the one person I would relish the opportunity to meet! Great guy!

I agree Rocky, but Bernard has shown little class in selling PPVs before.

He seems to be mellowing more now, but burning flags, causing commotions at weigh-ins and making racist remarks should not be forgotten.

Come on dude...

If you know a little bit of boxing, you will know how some sell PPV's.

Rocky Balboa wrote:After the Pavlik fight, Hopkins said we should appreciate him while he's still active because once he's retired it will be too late! I've long appreciated Hopkins & its about time those who currently do not started to. Bernard is not only a special fighter, but his actions in respect of one of his biggest fans suffering show he's also a class human being who considers others!

Out of all sports personalities, Bernard Hopkins is the one person I would relish the opportunity to meet! Great guy!

WELLSAID

Khaosai-Galaxy wrote:OK, but when i visited that crippled boy in Hospital last year, it didn't make the papers.

Well, the story about me crippling the young lad did get in, but my subsequent (court ordered) visit never did



"One rule for them, one for us"

Yeah but he is a world champs so newsworthy, you are just some acidic prick on the the internet.

Hopkins has so much substance; he's a special person it's plain to see.
I salute you Bernard!

J wrote:

Khaosai-Galaxy wrote:OK, but when i visited that crippled boy in Hospital last year, it didn't make the papers.

Well, the story about me crippling the young lad did get in, but my subsequent (court ordered) visit never did



"One rule for them, one for us"

Yeah but he is a world champs so newsworthy, you are just some acidic prick on the the internet.

You tell him.

People should sit back and appreciate Bernard Hopkins' genius. He wasn't one of the golden boys, EVER. He didn't have the dad who coached him from year zero. He didn't have the familial support, he didn't have a great promoter etc. This guy is a legend. A real bona fide legend.

Shaun was a close friend of mine and i was at his viewing last night and his funeral today..Hopkins was at both of these and even helped carry shauns coffin..he is a great guy and was very emotional at botht the viewing and burial..i talked to him a few different times and heard him on his cell phone talking to oscar de lahoya i believe..

hope this clears some things up

observer1 wrote:

Emerson Poncey Name Ghent wrote:

Rocky Balboa wrote:After the Pavlik fight, Hopkins said we should appreciate him while he's still active because once he's retired it will be too late! I've long appreciated Hopkins & its about time those who currently do not started to. Bernard is not only a special fighter, but his actions in respect of one of his biggest fans suffering show he's also a class human being who considers others!

Out of all sports personalities, Bernard Hopkins is the one person I would relish the opportunity to meet! Great guy!

I agree Rocky, but Bernard has shown little class in selling PPVs before.

He seems to be mellowing more now, but burning flags, causing commotions at weigh-ins and making racist remarks should not be forgotten.

Come on dude...

If you know a little bit of boxing, you will know how some sell PPV's.

I think there's a line of taste you don't cross, and a couple of times Hopkins has crossed it (Lenny's post included). People often forget, when discussing Ali, what he put Frazier through just to sell the fights.

J wrote:

Khaosai-Galaxy wrote:OK, but when i visited that crippled boy in Hospital last year, it didn't make the papers.

Well, the story about me crippling the young lad did get in, but my subsequent (court ordered) visit never did



"One rule for them, one for us"

Yeah but he is a world champs so newsworthy, you are just some acidic prick on the the internet.

Ha ha ha, oh my dear boy, you do amuse me so..

Hopkins has to first acknowledge that a line of taste exists.
Since he has yet to do that at age 43 I doubt it is going to happen.
Hopkins refusal to follow political correctness or apologize once he is taken to task for doing something stupid is part of what makes him a special athlete.