Our cover story for April 2013 issue is about Bernard Hopkins, who at 48 remains a legitimate light heavyweight contender.

Regular contributor Bernard Fernandez writes in Just Deserts that Hopkins has poured his entire adult life into boxing and accomplished great things but only in the past few years has he reaped the rewards – both in terms of recognition and money – of a true star.

To do it, he had to climb over the likes of Roy Jones Jr. and James Toney, who once overshadowed him.

“They were getting the big money and HBO dates when I was making title defense off-TV for, like, $50,000,” he said.

As part of the package, we present highlights for each year of Hopkins’ 25-year career.

Also in the April issue, in Momentous Month, Norm Frauenheim looks back on heavyweight Johnathon Banks’ recent emotional roller coaster, during which he lost mentor Emanuel Steward, trained Wladimir Klitschko for his most-recent fight and knocked out Seth Mitchell.

Ron Borges writes in Gatti had IT that Arturo Gatti had that certain something that touched fans worldwide even if we question his Hall of Fame credentials.

THE RING also presents the International Boxing Hall of Fame’s Class of 2013 in the April 2013 issue.

And, in one more IBHOF story, Don Stradley writes in Will Cheaters Prosper? that those who vote for the Hall face a similar dilemma to that of baseball writers: What to do about players associated with performance-enhancing drugs?

In Little Warriors, Ron Borges tells the inspiring story of super middleweight contender Edwin Rodriguez’s 6-year-old twins overcoming life-threatening health issues.

Bernard Fernandez writes in Old School is Out that the passion and ability of recently retired HBO analyst Larry Merchant will be missed.

In Forsaken Man, Tim Smith explores the fate of Timothy Bradley, who was disappointed when his victory over Manny Pacquiao did little for his career.

And, in Next Generation, UK correspondent Gavin Evans writes that Carl Framption, with guidance from Barry McGuigan, could become the next Irish star.

Elsewhere in the issue:

• All-time great Aaron Pryor is the subject of this month’s Best I’ve Faced, in which he reveals to THE RING his best opponents in 10 key categories.
• In Ready to Grumble, columnist David Greisman writes that Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will be criticized whether or not he fights Austin Trout but might be wise to avoid him if the ultimate goal is fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr.
• Our subject for New Faces, written by Bart Barry, is Bryant Jennings, one of the United States’ most-promising heavyweights.
• InSix Pack, our fitness column, T.K. Stewart writes that fighters can minimize the chance of injuring their hands if they throw straight punches.
• Outside the Ropes includes a commentary by Contributing Editor Brian Harty, who bemoans the fact that Muhammad Ali sometimes becomes a tool for other people’s purposes.
• And in Letters from Europe, U.K. correspondent Gareth A Davies writes about several compelling fights coming up this spring.

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