★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience©®™: Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City

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Monday, October 21, 2013

No Holds Barred: Bernard Hopkins on Black Fighters, and Why It's Good to Duck

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman previews the October 26 fight between the IBF light heavyweight champion and boxing legend, Bernard Hopkins, and challenger Karo Murat.

The 48-year-old Hopkins (53-6-2, 32 KOs), from Philadelphia, will be facing the 30-year-old Murat (25-1-1, 15 KOs), born in Iraq and fighting out of Germany, at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. This fight will headline a card which will be shown live in the U.S. on Showtime.

Both Hopkins and Murat were on a media conference call Thursday, and we have excerpts from that.

Despite his age advantage, Murat is a huge underdog. He has never fought for a major world title or in the U.S., and has never faced any opponent on the level of Hopkins. Still, he said on this conference call that Hopkins has been reduced to throwing one punch at a time and then clinching, and that he is confident he can win.

Hopkins - who has shed his long-standing nickname of "The Executioner" and is now calling himself "The Alien" because he is doing things a human of his age should not be able to do - not only dismissed such claims, but emphasized how he combines offense and defense. Such boxing skills, he said, are no longer seen as important or even marketable, especially by many TV executives. Boxing has changed today to where it "has sort of gotten to a barbaric" place. All-time greats like Sugar Ray Robinson and Sugar Ray Leonard, and in particular many Black fighters, he said, "would be boring today" and accused of not being able to sell tickets and pay-per-view buys. The TV executives believe, "if they duck, don't buy it." He attributed his longevity in boxing to his combination of offense and defense, proving "why it's good to duck."

He added, "I got two rules: I hit you, and I got to make you not hit me. What's wrong with that?"

But, he said, "The customers will drink anything you give them, if it's promoted right."

We play from this conference call our questions for Karo Murat, and the commentary by Bernard Hopkins on "why it's good to duck."

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

IBF LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION BERNARD HOPKINS TO FACE MANDATORY CHALLENGER KARO MURAT IN A BOUT RESCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 26 AT BOARDWALK HALL IN ATLANTIC CITY, NJ LIVE ON SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®

On October 26, the Hopkins vs. Murat fight will have a highly anticipated co-feature: PETER QUILLIN vs. GABRIEL ROSADO!

IBF Light Heavyweight Champion Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins will become the oldest fighter in history to make his initial title defense when he faces highest rated light heavyweight challenger Karo Murat in a rescheduled championship event taking place Saturday, October 26 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. The 12-round title fight, which was postponed from July 13 due to visa issues experienced by Murat, will air live on SHOWTIME^® (9 p.m. ET/PT). With those issues cleared up, Murat has his sights set on ending the reign of the 48-year-old future Hall of Famer.

Hopkins vs. Murat, a 12-round bout for Hopkins' IBF Light Heavyweight World Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Caesars Atlantic City and supported by Golden Boy Promotions sponsors Corona and AT&T. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP).

"I'm happy this fight is back on," said Hopkins. "Karo Murat is my mandatory and he is coming here to take down this 48-year-old champion, except he's coming three months late. He gave me extra time to spend time with my family, stay in the gym longer to get ready for this fight. I'm going to be so physically and mentally prepared come October 26, Murat will know he is facing a great champion regardless of my age. I feel like a fighter in my 20s not my 40s."

"This fight has been a long time coming," said Murat. "I had some issues with my visa but those are finally solved. I felt ready in July and in October, I will feel even more ready. I've been awaiting the chance to fight for the IBF title since late 2011 so three months extra is nothing tome. Bernard Hopkins is 48 years of age - I guess he has enjoyed the summer. Will he be ready for me? I do not know. What I can say is that I will be at my best on October 26. When I am messing up his old bones it will make me a star in an instant."

"One of the most charismatic and accomplished fighters in recent generations, Bernard Hopkins continues to defy the odds with each record-setting performance," said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. "Not only does he keep winning, but he is doing so in impressive, often dazzling fashion. But make no mistake, this is no showcase fight. Karo Murat is a dangerous opponent. His only loss is to a current world champion in Nathan Cleverly and he holds a win over former World Champion Gabriel Campillo. You can't underestimate an experienced and hungry fighter like Murat."

"Like any Bernard Hopkins bout, this October 26 Boardwalk Hall match has drawn considerable buzz throughout the entire region," said Kevin Ortzman, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Caesars, Bally's, and Showboat Atlantic City. "The public and the boxing community have waited in anticipation and now they will finally get their wish as the stage is set for Hopkins vs. Murat.

Nothing can be said about the life and career of Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins (53-6-2, 32 KO's) that hasn't already been written or aired on television, radio, or the internet, but suffice to say that the 48-year-old from Philadelphia has earned the title "legend" for his storied nearly 15-year stay in the fight game. The longest reigning middleweight champion in boxing history, Hopkins went on to reinvent himself as a light heavyweight after turning 40, winning the world title twice. Each time, he set a new record as the oldest fighter to win a major world championship, but as his dominant 12 round win over previously unbeaten Tavoris Cloud in March showed, he's far from finished, a fact he plans on letting Murat know on October 26.

The number one contender for the IBF light heavyweight title, 29-year-old Karo Murat (25-1-1, 15 KO's) is on the verge of making history should he defeat Hopkins for his title. A pro since 2006 who has come up the hard way in the fight game, the resident of Kitzingen, Bavaria, Germany has won several regional titles en route to his place among the top 175-pounders in the world. Unbeaten for nearly three years since the lone loss of his career to WBO champion Nathan Cleverly in 2010, Murat's last two wins have been knockouts of Otis Griffin and Sandro Siproshvili, putting him at the front of the line for his dream fight against a future Hall of Famer.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Bernard Hopkins taking a vow of silence when it comes to trash-talking Chad Dawson; by Denzil Stone - Atlantic City

Hopkins wants to prove he can beat another guy two decades his junior. Credit: Hogan Photos/Golden Boy

Hoping to emulate the veteran pugilists of yesteryear like Archie Moore, reigning WBC and lineal light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins (52-5-2, 32ko) will defend his world honours on Saturday, April 28 at the historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, however, during the promotion, the 47-year-old has elected to refuse to engage in any verbal jousting with 29-year-old challenger Chad Dawson (30-1-0, 17ko).

Dawson, though, has other ideas. The southpaw, a former champion of the IBF and IBO titles with victories over Antonio Tarver (twice), Glen Johnson (twice) and Tomasz Adamek, has already crossed swords with Hopkins; a two round technical knockout in October last year that was later changed to a 'No Contest' as B-Hop was unable to continue due to suffering a shoulder injury following a fall.

“The first fight did not go as planned, but I’m confident I was going to win that night," said Dawson, who then alluded to the possibility that Hopkins was looking for an exit when they last fought but will not be able to find another when they box in New Jersey next month.

"Hopkins is going to have to face his fears," Bad Chad added. "Bernard tried to run away from me, but here we are again. I’m thrilled about the whole situation. I’m very excited to fight on the East Coast because a lot of my fans will be there to see me live. I know I’ll be ready come fight night."

Hopkins commented that he will leave the bad-mouthing to Dawson: "Chad can say whatever he wants, but I am not going to trash talk this one. Everyone knows what I am capable of in the ring. They have seen it over 50 times before in the last 20 plus years."

History-making Hopkins, inspired by Moore, aims to continue to place his name next to the Old Mongoose by making successful defences that belie his elder statesman status.

Moore was 44 years and 190 days when he triumphed over Giulio Rinaldi in 1961, while George Foreman was 46 years and 113 days when he defeated Axel Schulz. Hopkins, though, would surpass both with a win over Dawson: "I absolutely want to prove that I can beat Chad Dawson, another guy that is almost two decades younger than me and I am confident I will on April 28."

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Bernard Hopkins & Chad Dawson To Meet Saturday, April 28 At Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City To Determine Who Is Champion "Once And For All"‏

WBC AND RING MAGAZINE LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION BERNARD "THE EXECUTIONER" HOPKINS AND FORMER WORLD CHAMPION "BAD" CHAD DAWSON TO MEET SATURDAY, APRIL 28 AT BOARDWALK HALL IN ATLANTIC CITY TO DETERMINE WHO IS CHAMPION "ONCE AND FOR ALL"

HBO World Championship Boxing® To Televise The Light Heavyweight Showdown

The oldest fighter in boxing history to win a world title, Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins, and former World Champion "Bad" Chad Dawson will meet again to settle their heated feud following their October 2011 bout, which was originally scored as a TKO win for Dawson, but later ruled a no decision by the California State Athletic Commission. The two are ready to resume their high-stakes rivalryon Saturday, April 28 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The 12 round bout for Hopkins' WBC and Ring Magazine light heavyweight world championships will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET/7:15 p.m. PT.

"Chad Dawson can say whatever he wants, but I am not going to trash talk this one," said Hopkins. "Everyone knows what I am capable of in the ring. They have seen it over 50 times before in the last 20 plus years. I will say that I am really happy that this is on HBO so that all of my fans from across the country can see me continue this unprecedented path. I absolutely want to prove that I can beat Chad Dawson, another guy that is almost two decades younger than me and I am confident I will on April 28."

"The first fight did not go as planned, but I'm confident I was going to win that night," said Dawson. "Hopkins is going to have to face his fears. Bernard tried to run away from me, but here we are again. I'm thrilled about the whole situation. I'm very excited to fight on the East Coast because a lot of my fans will be there to see me live. I know I'll be ready come fight night."

"Whenever Bernard Hopkins fights, I get the chills because he is a living legend," said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. "Bernard has an amazing history, having fought and defeated so many world champions. I truly believe that he and Dawson facing off in Atlantic City on HBO World Championship Boxing is a recipe for an unforgettable night."

"The score must be settled once and for all," said Gary Shaw, CEO of Gary Shaw Productions. "Chad Dawson has something to prove. We all know Bernard Hopkins is a future Hall of Famer, but Chad is not going to let him get away with any of his antics or funny stuff. Chad wanted this bout and now that he has it, he's going to do whatever it takes to be a champion once again."

"Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson have unfinished business and we look forward to televising this intriguing light heavyweight showdown," said Kery Davis, senior vice president, programming, HBO Sports. "Bernard's credentials as a future Hall of Famer are firmly established and he captured the world's attention last year when he won a world title at the age of 46. Chad is an extremely talented fighter in his prime. This sets up to be a hard-fought encounter that boxing fans will be excited to see."

"Bernard Hopkins is a world champion athlete who grew up and trained in the greater Philadelphia area, just a short ride from Atlantic City, so this fight is going to be a great draw for Atlantic City," said Don Marrandino, Eastern Division President for Caesars Entertainment. "Some of the greatest boxing matches and sporting events have been hosted in Atlantic City and on April 28, Historic Boardwalk Hall will be the backdrop to what could be Hopkins' most historic fights and likely one of the final bouts of his career - he's one of the most exciting boxers to watch and one of the greatest athletes of the past 50 years."

"Hopkins vs. Dawson: Once And For All," a 12 round bout for Hopkins' WBC and Ring Magazine light heavyweight world championships, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions and sponsored by Caesars Atlantic City. The bout will take place from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey and be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET/7:15 p.m. PT.