Comedian brings house down

LAS VEGAS – Comedian George Lopez and former middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins brought the house down in Friday’s official weigh-in.

Lopez, a Mexican-American and one of the most hilarious guys on TV, was a big hit with his nasty but funny remarks during the weigh-in at the MGM Grand.

He got the crowd, split into Latinos and Filipinos, going so many times, saying a couple of times that he’s “gonna kick Bob Arum’s ass.”

But it was all for fun and the Top Rank president can only laugh from his corner. He approached Lopez at one point and they exchanged high fives.

Lopez also dared Arum, 77, to fight Hopkins, 43, and if he beats the latter “he gets a new hip,” again bringing the house down.

Lopez, however, drew jeers when he said, “It’s amazing that all Filipinos are of the same height.”

Hopkins was one of the boxing superstars who stood in line in the stage as Manny Pacquiao and Oscar dela Hoya were officially weighed.

Given the microphone, Hopkins said, “I’m predicting a knockout by Oscar by the seventh or eighth round. Anybody who doesn’t believe that, see me outside.”

“Oscar dela Hoya will win this fight,” he shouted on stage. “And if anybody has a problem with that, I’ll be waiting outside.”

The Filipinos wouldn’t back out of the fight, jeering Hopkins from the stands and from just across the stage.

Sportsman-businessman Hermie Esguerra was among those who reacted strongly, calling out Hopkins name, taking off his sweater and his white shirt underneath.

The crowd went wilder. But it was all for fun, after all. – Abac Cordero