SPORTS



 Outdoor Sportsman's

 Report
 c Cc:EassieEnd to
 ByAE Richard Mugaa n to

 visitin the Treure f a Brilliant Career
 Visitilg the Treasures of Spain After accomplishing so like him; he has been about
 much in the sport of boxing winning, pure and simple.
 More treasures from Spain over the past 18 years, Bernard Tarver didn't have an answer
continue to be enjoyed by the Hopkins didn't want to walk for Hopkins' fighting style. The
world. as we speak. They are away from the ring after a loss.- champion looked discouraged
not necessarily, gold and silver That is a major reason why the very early on in the contest. He
bars, doubloons or ancient 41-year-old former middle-. clearly found out what other
jewels found at the bottom of weight champion decided to opponents of Hopkins have
the sea; they are the histori- fight again after suffering;back- learned. Hopkins is not your
cal, cultural and gastronomic to-back decision losses to new typical 41-year-old fighter; he
wealth, of present day Spain. middleweight champ Jermain gets better with age.
 We recently enjoyed a tour Taylor. Hopkins chose to move Hopkins wanted to accom-
of 17 cities of central and up in weight to challenge light plish something that his idol,
northern Spain to immerse heavyweight champion. Anto- Sugar Ray Robinson, came
ourselves in those treasures. nio Tarver in what Hopkins close to doing but had fallen
We came away filled with the stated would be his final fight just short. He wanted to suc-
spoils of a marvelous trip. whether he won or lost. While cessfully move up from the
 Madrid's thiree million resi- Tarver who had come off middleweight division to the
dents were just awakening two impressive victories over light heavyweight division and
when we arrived at 7: a.m. at the once-great Roy Jones, Jr. win a world title. After the fight,
Barajas airport. But soon the was listed- as the favorite in Hopkins said that he could've
dynamics of this vibrant city the fight, Hopkins made him easily fought as a light heavy-
come into play to look even less than mediocre, weight his entire career but he
 Madrid is an outdoor city. Statue of Don Quijote and Sancho Panza at the winning almost every round wanted to make history by de-
People walk everywhere. Morn- Servantes Monument in Madrid. of the contest on his way to a fending the middleweight belt
ing or night the human wave unanimous decision victory. more than any other fighter.
never stops. Coffee shops are Antonio Tarver (24-4, 18 Hopkinssuccessfully defended
serving churros and chocolate, KOs) was so confident going the, middleweight champion-
coffeeand spectacular displays into the match.that he bet ship a record 20 times before
of pastries and breads. A visit Hopkins (47-4-1, 32 KOs) losing it to Jermain Taylor.
to the Royal Palace takes us to $250,000 that he would knock After looking so dominant
the baroque, creation of King out the former middleweight in what he claimed to be his
Phillip V. Its collectionof elabo- champ by the sixth round. final fight, the big question
rate clocks, chardeliers, tapes- Ironically, it was Tarver who is, will Bernard Hopkins stay
tres and other riches makes was knocked off his feet by a retired? Thereis a huge fight
this one of the three greatestoo Hopkins right hand in Round this weekend between Jermain
in the world. The 2,000-room 5. All of Tarver's boastful com- Taylor and Winky Wright. With
functioning castle is now used ments leading up to the fight a big pay day looming for Hop-
mainly for official visits with backfires as he was flat out kins if he chooses to fight the
foreign dignitaries whipped by Hopkins. Winner of that contest, will he
 Equally splendid and rich in Hopkins fought Tarver with be pulled back into the ring?
history is the Prado Museum. the same boxing style that Whether he's retired or riot,
More than 3,000 canvases by made him a winner throughout Bernard Hopkins has right-
the eternal masters; Velazquez, his career. He threw a punch fully earned his place in boxing
Goya, El Greco, Bosh, Peter or two and tied Tarver up to history as one of the all-time
Paul Rubens- brings us to The walled City of Avila as it looks today. prevent the champion from middleweight greats. The best
our own enlightenment. The landing any damaging blows., part of this story is that he is
Retiro Park is an outdoor ex- hold the remains of more than the beige structure challenges This is an ugly fighting style leaving the sport at the top of
travaganza for all classes and 50,000 who died here during time. Once the scene of fierce *that is the complete opposite of his game with his health intact,
all ages. The 350-acre former the construction of the monu- battles between Muslims and crowd-pleasing. Hopkins could something that many other
hunting place of the Crown ment. Christians the walled city now care less. He has never been boxing greats have sadly failed
offers delightful walks through The perfectly preserved serves the more gentle function about making the audience to achieve.
statue-lined entrances, mag- walled city ofAvila welcomes us of a tourist attraction.
nificent trees and shrubs and next on our history filled tour. We continued on our way to
around a giarit lake with row From the promontory across Santiago de Compostela.
boats lazily suspended over the walls the city does not ap- (To be continued next
schools of colorful giant carp pear real. More like a postcard, week)
and colorful fishes.
 Next was the Statue of Don
Quijote and Sancho Panza at i
the Cervantes Monument in Amercan Le n eminole Post 111ARDEN
Madrid. Reluctantly we leave
Madrid on our way northwest RESTAURANT
as Don Quijote waves farewell 6918 N. Florida Avenue
to our group. Tampa, Florida 33604
 The Monastery of San
Lorenzo de El Escorial is an a .
important stop for anyone
visiting Spain. Described as a
symbol of power rather than
elegance, this was the center
of the Spanish Inquisition.'
It has a magnificent library
where Columbus is said to
have consulted before his fa-
mous trip west. The 650x500
feet building also is home to Mal 
the Royal Pantheon, the final
resting place for members of
the Royal Family.-The King's The Johnny Charro Band
room, overlooking the church, & J nny
allowed the ailing king to enjoy 3710 I Dr.
Mass from his bed. Thursday, June 8th & 22nd
 7:30 p.m. to I 1:00 p.nl.
 After a short ride from The ])olaion o(1$7.00(
 Escorial, we arrive at the Val- Support your Post and Veteqrans
 ley of The Fallen. Marked by For Reservations Call: 237-1271 or 238-8422
 its 500-foot granite cross, the
 monument to the victims of the
 Spanish Civil war overlooks Valencid Ga rden Restaurant
 a peaceful giant valley sur-
 rounded by mountains. Over 811 West Kennedy Blvd.
 230,000 tons of granite were OJ 0ur ust West of Downtown Tampa
 removed from the entrails of
 this mountain by political pris- Near Hyde Park between Westshore & Downtown
 oners to form the mammoth
 underground basilica. Just 253-3773
 behind the high altar is the Salud & Happy Days!
 grave of former Spanish ruler
 Francisco Franco. Side niches
 Page 20/LA GACETA/Friday, June 16, 2006