World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Middleweight Champion Carl “The Cobra” Froch, Glen “The Road Warrior” Johnson and promoter Lou DiBella held an international media conference call on Wednesday to discuss their upcoming Semifinal bout in the Super Six World Boxing Classic on Saturday, June 4, LIVE on SHOWTIME® at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) from Adrian Phillips Ballroom at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.
Froch (27-1, 20 KOs) will defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) title against Johnson (51-14-2, 35 KOs), a former world champion. The Froch-Johnson winner will advance to the tournament Final to face World Boxing Association (WBA) champion Andre Ward, who secured a Final berth with a dominating victory over Arthur Abraham on May 14 in the other Semifinal bout.
The tournament champion earns the inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic Cup and global recognition as the world’s No. 1 168-pound fighter. EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.
CARL FROCH:
“I’m in great shape and have been in New York for the better part of two weeks which should give me plenty of time to get acclimated to this fight. It’s quite hot and humid but it’s the same in England. I should be getting the time difference out of my system here over the next few days and just look forward to the fight next week. I can’t wait to put on a great show in the Super Six Semifinals.
“As far as I’m concerned I’m an unbeaten fighter coming into this fight. I still consider myself unbeaten. That loss (against Mikkel Kessler) was maybe a little injection or a kick in the ass, whatever you want to call it, to get me back to where I was when I became champion against Jean Pascal when he was firing on all cylinders because he didn’t look like he was the other night. He let that fight slip away from him (against Bernard Hopkins) and didn’t seem to be in condition. Since that fight (against Pascal) I’ve only fought against top opposition: Jermain Taylor, Andre Dirrell, Mikkel Kessler, Arthur Abraham and now Glen Johnson.
“I come into this fight very, very confident and very strong. I’m in my prime. I’m 33 years old and fitter than I’ve ever been. I’m quite meticulous and a perfectionist about my workouts and training regime. I’m hitting times on my runs that I was hitting when I was 26, 27 years old. I’m doing the same amount of push-ups and sit-ups and pull-ups all in the time frame. I’m just feeling really, really fit and like I did when I fought Arthur Abraham. Never mind 12 rounds I can go 25 rounds right now. That’s how great I feel. I’m looking forward to this fight and I’m looking forward to putting a show on.”
You’ve had three fights and Green slipped in with one against a substitute fighter in the Super Six. Do you think that will make a difference in this fight?
“I’ve had three fights but I made easy work of two of them. I made easy work of Andre Dirrell. I’ve done more damage shaving myself than what Andre Dirrell did. And against Arthur Abraham I made easy work of that. I mean the only fight that was hard work was the Mikkel Kessler fight and that was my own fault. I stood in front of him for four or five rounds and made a fight of it which I shouldn’t have done and there’s reasons why I did that. I don’t think we should worry about how we got to this stage of the Super Six but the fact is we are here and in the Semifinals and I’m sure it means just as much to Glen as it means to me and it’s just as important to him. So we’ll forget about the past and worry about the here and now.
“I don’t want to talk too much tactics but the plan is always to hit and not get hit. The one thing about Glen Johnson is I don’t think I’ll have to go looking for him. I don’t think he’s going to be on his back foot looking to jab and pick me off. He doesn’t have the speed or the skill to match me. So he’s going to come straight ahead.”
What do you think about Andre Ward?
“He’s got some skills. He’s an Olympic gold medalist but having that doesn’t win world titles all the time and we’ve seen that recently. These top amateurs don’t always make top pros. He’s obviously won some great fights and he beat Mikkel Kessler which is a fighter I was close to so he’s got that. But other than that if you look at his record I haven’t been too impressed with him as far as who he’s fought or how he’s won. Ward’s definitely a threat and someone I have to take seriously but I know I can beat Ward. One thing he’s lacking is punching power and that’s a big factor in the professional ring.”
Will you be boxing Johnson or will you be looking to use your power punches?
“I’ll do a little bit of both. I’ll box around him and jab, chop, jab, chop with a lot of combinations. I don’t think it would be wise for him to sit in front of me for too long. If he walks into me he’s going to be taking on some shots. We’ll see how much the referee thinks he can take. It’s going to be brutal if he keeps walking forward and taking shots. He’s only had one fight at super middleweight and that was against Allan Green who is not a super middleweight, he’s too tall and too big. I watched that fight and Allan Green was dead from round two and three and he managed to take Glen to eight rounds. I’m going to be fresh and fit and strong and powerful with fast combinations from round one to round 12. I really wish this fight was 15 rounds.
“I think I’ll get my vengeance against Glen Johnson. He’s a great fighter and a war horse and I won’t disrespect him. He really knows what he’s doing but I would have rather fought Mikkel Kessler just purely for the revenge. I’m a warrior myself. It’s a big thing for me to have lost that fight against Mikkel Kessler because I’m serious about this business and that blemish on my record, I’d love to get that corrected before I retire. Someday after I hang them up I want to be able to say I lost that decision to Kessler but I won it back. I’ve avenged that defeat. I think if he fights (Lucian) Bute in Montreal he’ll lose but if he gets it in Denmark I think he’ll win so let’s hope he gets that fight in Denmark.
“The final person to hold the Super Six Cup will have withstood the test of time. This tournament has given boxing fans and the press a lot to talk about and has given us a lot of fights that might not have happened. So it’s been a great thing. There’s been some negative things but all that negativity is totally unnecessary. It’s been a fantastic tournament with some top-level fights and fights that would not have happened. Big accolades have to go to Ken Hershman and all of the promoters and Lou DiBella who has had three fighters in this tournament.”
GLEN JOHNSON:
How you fought any one in your career style-wise like Carl Froch?
“Not really. He’s a tall guy that really kind of fights short sometimes. But in his last fight he actually fought tall and used his reach and boxed the way he’s supposed to box and the way he’s built to box. I’ve boxed tall guys before but never guys who have scrunched down and tried to be a short guy. But we are prepared for either style that he shows and we’re looking forward to an exciting fight.
“My advantage is being Glen Johnson. I think I know boxing inside and out. I’m going to go in there confident and use my skills to my potential and you’ll see me come out victorious. Carl Froch is a great fighter and I have no disrespect toward him. This is a business and I’m going in there to win the fight. All the talk and all the other stuff goes out the window. This is for all the marbles so we’re going in there to win the fight.
“I wish I would have listened to my manager a long time ago and gone down there (to super middleweight) sooner. But I think things happen for a reason. I’m just really, really excited for this opportunity.”
Why did you resist your manager?
“The main reason is that I didn’t think I would be able to maintain that weight. I always felt like super middleweight wasn’t who I was and I didn’t want to put the strain on to make that weight.
“I’m not concerning myself too much with what Carl Froch’s plan is or what he’s going to do to be honest with you. I’m more concerned with what I’m going to do. I’m focused on my game plan and what I have to do. I have a winning formula and I don’t think Carl Froch is the one who can tell me different.”
Are you approaching this fight like a last-chance fight?
“I definitely feel a little bit of urgency for this fight. I mean, I’m not getting any younger. I’m not going to take any fight for granted. I know I have a lot of skills and talent left in me and I’m looking forward to showing that to the people. I’m here to show the people what I can still do and want to walk away from this tournament being the champion. I know there are people still skeptical about what I can do at my age but I actually get excited when people mention my age and focus on my age because that means they are not focused on my skills and what I bring to the table.”
Did Hopkins’ win over the weekend give you some inspiration?
“(Laughing) Bernard fought a wonderful fight and congratulations to him for the win. I knew he was definitely going to win the fight but I didn’t know if he was going to get a decision. Kudos to him. He’s definitely an inspiration to us old guys.”
Do you think you’ll get a rematch with him?
“I don’t know. I want it. I don’t know if Bernard wants it though. I just have to take it one fight at a time and not be the problem and we’ll see what happens.”
LOU DiBELLA:
“I think we have a terrific fight ahead of us. Carl Froch is a tremendously exciting champion and has only been in good fights and the same could be said of Glen Johnson.
“I think Carl Froch is one of the most under appreciated champions in the world. He’s a tremendous talent and has great flair in the ring and a lot of pizzazz outside of it. I’m just a big fan of Carl Froch.
“As many have said before if you don’t like Glen Johnson then you don’t like boxing. I think he’s one of the most widely respected fighters in the game. There’s not another fighter in the game who doesn’t respect Glen Johnson. He’s a road warrior who’s once again on the road in New Jersey. You never know what an old mad can do which is what Bernard Hopkins just showed.”
EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
Saturday, May 28, 2011
SUPER SIX WORLD BOXING CLASSIC SEMIFINALISTS CARL FROCH & GLEN JOHNSON
Labels:Boxing, Events, Fight Sports, MMA,
Allan Green,
Andre Dirrell,
Andre Ward,
Arthur Abraham,
Bernard Hopkins,
Carl Froch,
Glen “The Road Warrior” Johnson,
Jermain Taylor,
Lou DiBella,
Seminole Warriors Boxing,
WBA,
WBC
MIKKEL KESSLER RETURNS JUNE 4 ON SHOWTIME BEFORE LIVE SUPER SIX SEMIFINAL BETWEEN FROCH & JOHNSON
FORMER CHAMPION MIKKEL KESSLER RETURNS AGAINST WORLD-RANKED MEHDI BOUADLA SATURDAY, JUNE 4, ON SHOWTIME® Fight From Denmark With Be Televised On Same-Day Delay
Before Carl Froch-Glen Johnson Super Six World Boxing Classic Semifinal Airs LIVE on SHOWTIME (Delayed on the West Coast)
Looking to regain his status as one of the premier super middleweights in the world, former World Boxing Council/World Boxing Association (WBC/WBA) 168-pound champion Mikkel “The Viking Warrior’’ Kessler will return to the ring for the first time in 14 months when he faces Mehdi Bouadla on Saturday, June 4, on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, same-day delay) at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The 12-rounder between Kessler (43-2, 32 KOs), of Denmark, and Bouadla (23-3, 11 KOs), of France, will be shown before the LIVE Super Six World Boxing Classic Semifinal on SHOWTIME (delayed on the West Coast) between defending WBC titlist Carl Froch (27-1, 20 KOs) and former world champion Glen Johnson (51-14-2, 35 KOs) of Miami, Fla., at Adrian Philipps Ballroom of Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.
The Super Six announce team of Gus Johnson, Al Bernstein and Antonio Tarver will call the Kessler-Bouadla match from Atlantic City. Steve Farhood will serve as ringside reporter from Denmark.
For Kessler, it will be his first start since a potentially career-ending eye injury forced him to withdraw from the Super Six shortly after he won an exciting 12-round unanimous decision over the previously undefeated Froch on April 24, 2010. A victory puts Kessler, 32, back in the thick of things in the talent-rich 168-pound division. Kessler’s only defeats came against future Hall of Famer, Joe Calzaghe, in November 2007, and to Andre Ward in Group Stage 1 of the Super Six World Boxing Classic on Nov. 21, 2009.
The 29-year-old Bouadla has won 11 in a row dating to February 2008. The No. 5-ranked super middle in the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and 10th-rated contender in the International Boxing Federation (IBF), Bouadla earned a decision over Pavels Lotahs in his most recent start last Jan. 29. Bouadla was slated to challenge defending champion Sebastian Sylvester last Jan. 22 for the IBF middleweight championship, but the fight was postponed after Sylvester suffered a viral infection.
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
Before Carl Froch-Glen Johnson Super Six World Boxing Classic Semifinal Airs LIVE on SHOWTIME (Delayed on the West Coast)
Looking to regain his status as one of the premier super middleweights in the world, former World Boxing Council/World Boxing Association (WBC/WBA) 168-pound champion Mikkel “The Viking Warrior’’ Kessler will return to the ring for the first time in 14 months when he faces Mehdi Bouadla on Saturday, June 4, on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, same-day delay) at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The 12-rounder between Kessler (43-2, 32 KOs), of Denmark, and Bouadla (23-3, 11 KOs), of France, will be shown before the LIVE Super Six World Boxing Classic Semifinal on SHOWTIME (delayed on the West Coast) between defending WBC titlist Carl Froch (27-1, 20 KOs) and former world champion Glen Johnson (51-14-2, 35 KOs) of Miami, Fla., at Adrian Philipps Ballroom of Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.
The Super Six announce team of Gus Johnson, Al Bernstein and Antonio Tarver will call the Kessler-Bouadla match from Atlantic City. Steve Farhood will serve as ringside reporter from Denmark.
For Kessler, it will be his first start since a potentially career-ending eye injury forced him to withdraw from the Super Six shortly after he won an exciting 12-round unanimous decision over the previously undefeated Froch on April 24, 2010. A victory puts Kessler, 32, back in the thick of things in the talent-rich 168-pound division. Kessler’s only defeats came against future Hall of Famer, Joe Calzaghe, in November 2007, and to Andre Ward in Group Stage 1 of the Super Six World Boxing Classic on Nov. 21, 2009.
The 29-year-old Bouadla has won 11 in a row dating to February 2008. The No. 5-ranked super middle in the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and 10th-rated contender in the International Boxing Federation (IBF), Bouadla earned a decision over Pavels Lotahs in his most recent start last Jan. 29. Bouadla was slated to challenge defending champion Sebastian Sylvester last Jan. 22 for the IBF middleweight championship, but the fight was postponed after Sylvester suffered a viral infection.
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
Labels:Boxing, Events, Fight Sports, MMA,
Al Bernstein,
Andre Ward,
Antonio "Magic Man" Tarver,
Carl Froch,
Glen Johnson,
Gus Johnson,
Joe Calzaghe,
MEHDI BOUADLA,
Mikkel Kessler,
Steve Farhood
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
'SHOW ME' SOMETHING GREAT! Well, Don King is still at it.
He'll make history yet again--this time in the state of Missouri--when on June 25 at The Family Arena in St. Charles he presents Devon Alexander vs. Lucas Matthysse in the main event and four world championships on the same card--a first for the "Show Me State."
He's dubbed the event, "Show Me Something Great... in the 'Show Me' State!"
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
He's dubbed the event, "Show Me Something Great... in the 'Show Me' State!"
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
Labels:Boxing, Events, Fight Sports, MMA,
Devon Alexander “The Great”,
Don King,
Lucas Matthysse
BERNARD HOPKINS MAKES SPORTS HISTORY! SATURDAY NIGHT RECAP & QUOTES
Sports history was made Saturday night when Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins (52-5-2, 32 KO's), at 46 years old, defeated 28-year-old former WBC and Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight World Champion Jean Pascal (26-2-1, 16 KO's), making Hopkins the oldest fighter in boxing history to win a significant world title. Not only did Hopkins take the belts from Pascal in front of 17,560 fans in his hometown of Montreal (an indoor boxing event record in Canada), but he defeated father time once again and solidified his place as one of the greatest athletes ever to compete over the age of 40.
With his unanimous decision victory, Hopkins became boxing's oldest world champion, breaking George Foreman's record, which was set 16 and half years ago. Foreman, who was 45 when he knocked out Michael Moorer for the heavyweight title on November 5, 1994, was 192 days younger than Hopkins when he captured his title.
Hopkins displayed his excellent conditioning and ring fortitude throughout the bout and hammered the point home at the beginning of the seventh round, when while waiting for Pascal to leave his corner, Hopkins dropped to the canvas and started doing push-ups (click HERE to see push-up highlights). According to the scorecards, that round went to Hopkins too. It was a great night of boxing with a spectacular performance by the ageless wonder Bernard Hopkins.
Bernard Hopkins & George Foreman Post-Fight Quotes
Bernard Hopkins:
"[Beating the record] feels great. I did exactly what I wanted to do, which was break this record. I knew it was going to be a tough fight, but I wasn't going to be denied. You don't get a chance to do this too often. You are supposed to win titles when you are younger...in your twenties, not when you're 46.
"I didn't feel 46 tonight. I felt more like 36.
"I can say I am a great fighter. It was exciting. I think everybody enjoyed themselves.
"I have been accused of being boring, but I saved the best for last. I am going to fight like this [with a more exciting style] as long as I am boxing. I believe I am an entertainer. When you are in your last performances, you give it all you've got.
"I want to box as well as I can, and I think there are still great fights to come before I leave this game.
"I give you breathtaking!
"I always fight with my heart, but I had to be careful too. I knew this guy was dangerous. He punched hard, but I knew I had to be strong too. Like I said before, I saved the best for last and gave you a blockbuster performance.
"I am going to keep fighting like this until I leave this game and trust me, when I leave, I will not be punch drunk, beat up or broke.
"Be happy I am still here because one thing we can say is that I am not wasting anybody's time. I went in there with a guy who that is young enough to be my son.
"I don't see anyone beating this strong bull from Canada. Coming from a veteran, he shouldn't load up on his punches. He needs to take advice from this legend and not throw his punches so strongly.
"He is a tough kid and he hit me with some good shots, but I am in tremendous shape.
"I think Canada will welcome me back to fight [Lucian] Bute. I want either Bute or [Chad] Dawson.
"This is in the top two moments of my career, right there alongside beating Felix Trinidad and the relevance of that.
"I showed him a little bit of Hearns, Wolcott and Ray Robinson, but mostly, I showed him me.
"Thanks to Golden Boy for getting this fight together after the first fight. We had to deal with a couple of things that worked out for everybody, especially the fans which is very important.
"I would like to thank everybody in Canada that gave me the respect. I hope it was what everyone wanted.
"He [Pascal] is a quality and respectful champion. He will be one of the ones that will stay around for a long time if uses this education that he experienced tonight.
"I just felt that I had to show that guy [Pascal] that he was fading and I was growing stronger. I wanted him to see me doing something crazy. I am the king of mind games. [On doing push-ups in his corner prior to round seven.]
"If I want to box until I am 50, I will as long as I come out unscathed. I will fight as long as I am hungry.
"If I don't win, this is over for me. I know there is no tomorrow. If I want to still box, I don't want to embarrass myself. I understand the stats are against me. I had to put myself in a situation where I had to be near perfect.
"I want to thank everyone for enjoying history.
"I talked to George Foreman on the phone. He said he might come out of retirement to break my record [laughs].
"If you thought tonight was something, you ain't seen nothing yet."
George Foreman's Reaction:
"I was on the edge of my seat every round. It was such an exciting fight. Bernard was the better athlete, the smarter fighter and was in the better condition. Now that a 46 [year-old] has done it, next a 47[year-old], a 48[year-old], a 49[year-old] and a 50 [year-old] will do it, and if somebody does it at 60, then I'll have to get back in there.
"Look, Hopkins did push-ups. What great conditioning, and he did it in Pascal hometown. Isn't that something? He was just so much better. I'm happy for Hopkins and I'm happy for mature athletes.
"If my record goes down, you want to see it go down that way. If it was the Olympics, Bernard gets the Gold Medal and breaks the record for the world championship. This was the best I've seen Bernard take charge of the fight with a young strong champion like Pascal. Long live the king."
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
With his unanimous decision victory, Hopkins became boxing's oldest world champion, breaking George Foreman's record, which was set 16 and half years ago. Foreman, who was 45 when he knocked out Michael Moorer for the heavyweight title on November 5, 1994, was 192 days younger than Hopkins when he captured his title.
Hopkins displayed his excellent conditioning and ring fortitude throughout the bout and hammered the point home at the beginning of the seventh round, when while waiting for Pascal to leave his corner, Hopkins dropped to the canvas and started doing push-ups (click HERE to see push-up highlights). According to the scorecards, that round went to Hopkins too. It was a great night of boxing with a spectacular performance by the ageless wonder Bernard Hopkins.
Bernard Hopkins & George Foreman Post-Fight Quotes
Bernard Hopkins:
"[Beating the record] feels great. I did exactly what I wanted to do, which was break this record. I knew it was going to be a tough fight, but I wasn't going to be denied. You don't get a chance to do this too often. You are supposed to win titles when you are younger...in your twenties, not when you're 46.
"I didn't feel 46 tonight. I felt more like 36.
"I can say I am a great fighter. It was exciting. I think everybody enjoyed themselves.
"I have been accused of being boring, but I saved the best for last. I am going to fight like this [with a more exciting style] as long as I am boxing. I believe I am an entertainer. When you are in your last performances, you give it all you've got.
"I want to box as well as I can, and I think there are still great fights to come before I leave this game.
"I give you breathtaking!
"I always fight with my heart, but I had to be careful too. I knew this guy was dangerous. He punched hard, but I knew I had to be strong too. Like I said before, I saved the best for last and gave you a blockbuster performance.
"I am going to keep fighting like this until I leave this game and trust me, when I leave, I will not be punch drunk, beat up or broke.
"Be happy I am still here because one thing we can say is that I am not wasting anybody's time. I went in there with a guy who that is young enough to be my son.
"I don't see anyone beating this strong bull from Canada. Coming from a veteran, he shouldn't load up on his punches. He needs to take advice from this legend and not throw his punches so strongly.
"He is a tough kid and he hit me with some good shots, but I am in tremendous shape.
"I think Canada will welcome me back to fight [Lucian] Bute. I want either Bute or [Chad] Dawson.
"This is in the top two moments of my career, right there alongside beating Felix Trinidad and the relevance of that.
"I showed him a little bit of Hearns, Wolcott and Ray Robinson, but mostly, I showed him me.
"Thanks to Golden Boy for getting this fight together after the first fight. We had to deal with a couple of things that worked out for everybody, especially the fans which is very important.
"I would like to thank everybody in Canada that gave me the respect. I hope it was what everyone wanted.
"He [Pascal] is a quality and respectful champion. He will be one of the ones that will stay around for a long time if uses this education that he experienced tonight.
"I just felt that I had to show that guy [Pascal] that he was fading and I was growing stronger. I wanted him to see me doing something crazy. I am the king of mind games. [On doing push-ups in his corner prior to round seven.]
"If I want to box until I am 50, I will as long as I come out unscathed. I will fight as long as I am hungry.
"If I don't win, this is over for me. I know there is no tomorrow. If I want to still box, I don't want to embarrass myself. I understand the stats are against me. I had to put myself in a situation where I had to be near perfect.
"I want to thank everyone for enjoying history.
"I talked to George Foreman on the phone. He said he might come out of retirement to break my record [laughs].
"If you thought tonight was something, you ain't seen nothing yet."
George Foreman's Reaction:
"I was on the edge of my seat every round. It was such an exciting fight. Bernard was the better athlete, the smarter fighter and was in the better condition. Now that a 46 [year-old] has done it, next a 47[year-old], a 48[year-old], a 49[year-old] and a 50 [year-old] will do it, and if somebody does it at 60, then I'll have to get back in there.
"Look, Hopkins did push-ups. What great conditioning, and he did it in Pascal hometown. Isn't that something? He was just so much better. I'm happy for Hopkins and I'm happy for mature athletes.
"If my record goes down, you want to see it go down that way. If it was the Olympics, Bernard gets the Gold Medal and breaks the record for the world championship. This was the best I've seen Bernard take charge of the fight with a young strong champion like Pascal. Long live the king."
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
Labels:Boxing, Events, Fight Sports, MMA,
Bernard Hopkins,
George Foreman,
Jean Pascal
Monday, May 23, 2011
Zsolt Erdei return versus Byron Mitchell on June 4 in Atlantic City
It was impossible not to notice the throngs of Hungarian fans who made the trek to Atlantic City to watch their national hero and unbeaten former two-time world champion, Zsolt Erdei, when he fought on the undercard of middleweight champ Sergio Martinez's second-round knockout of Paul Williams last November at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Erdei drew a large – and noisy – contingent of fans who cheered, chanted, and sang him on throughout his convincing eight-round decision win over veteran Samson Onyango.
Now, Erdei (32-0, 17 KOs) is set to return to the ring, and Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, on June 4 when he battles former world titlist Byron Mitchell (28-7-1, 21 KOs) on the undercard of the SHOWTIME Super Super Six World Boxing Classic semifinals between Carl Froch and Glen Johnson at the Adrian Phillips Ballroom inside the famed building in the heart of the AC strip.
With Erdei scheduled to return to the ring, DiBella Entertainment has secured a special block of tickets, solely for Erdei's loud and proud contingent of fans, that will be available for purchase online through Ticketmaster.com.
Those looking to purchase tickets should visit Ticketmaster.com, search "Boardwalk Hall", click on “Carl Froch vs Glen Johnson - WBC Super Middleweight Championship Tickets” and then search for tickets under the header “Fans of Zsolt Erdei”. Fans looking purchase tickets from this block must use the password ZSOLT in the appropriate box for the purchase to go through.
“Zsolt is a Hungarian megastar and one of the best European fighters of the past decade,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment."He needs to fight and stay busy for his enormous Hungarian fan-base here in the states. He will be on the international broadcast, so the home-town crowd can watch him there too. The last time he fought in Atlantic City, he brought a very passionate and devoted crowd. It was really impressive to see.”
Erdei, who held the WBO light heavyweight title from 2004 to 2009, moved up in weight in 2009 to win the WBC cruiserweight title. He has now returned to the light heavyweight division for yet another run at that championship.
Erdei is in line to be the mandatory challanger for the winner of the May 21 bout between current WBO champion Jurgen Brahmer and Nathan Cleverly.
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
Now, Erdei (32-0, 17 KOs) is set to return to the ring, and Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, on June 4 when he battles former world titlist Byron Mitchell (28-7-1, 21 KOs) on the undercard of the SHOWTIME Super Super Six World Boxing Classic semifinals between Carl Froch and Glen Johnson at the Adrian Phillips Ballroom inside the famed building in the heart of the AC strip.
With Erdei scheduled to return to the ring, DiBella Entertainment has secured a special block of tickets, solely for Erdei's loud and proud contingent of fans, that will be available for purchase online through Ticketmaster.com.
Those looking to purchase tickets should visit Ticketmaster.com, search "Boardwalk Hall", click on “Carl Froch vs Glen Johnson - WBC Super Middleweight Championship Tickets” and then search for tickets under the header “Fans of Zsolt Erdei”. Fans looking purchase tickets from this block must use the password ZSOLT in the appropriate box for the purchase to go through.
“Zsolt is a Hungarian megastar and one of the best European fighters of the past decade,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment."He needs to fight and stay busy for his enormous Hungarian fan-base here in the states. He will be on the international broadcast, so the home-town crowd can watch him there too. The last time he fought in Atlantic City, he brought a very passionate and devoted crowd. It was really impressive to see.”
Erdei, who held the WBO light heavyweight title from 2004 to 2009, moved up in weight in 2009 to win the WBC cruiserweight title. He has now returned to the light heavyweight division for yet another run at that championship.
Erdei is in line to be the mandatory challanger for the winner of the May 21 bout between current WBO champion Jurgen Brahmer and Nathan Cleverly.
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
Labels:Boxing, Events, Fight Sports, MMA,
Byron Mitchell,
Carl Froch,
Glen Johnson,
Jurgen Brahmer,
Lou DiBella,
Nathan Cleverly,
Paul Williams,
Samson Onyango,
Zsolt Erdei
Glen Johnson to bring THE HEAT to his Super Six Semifinal and WBC super middleweight title clash with Carl Froch on Saturday, June 4
Glen Johnson to bring THE HEAT to his Super Six Semifinal and WBC super middleweight title clash with Carl Froch; Carl Froch vs. Glen Johnson is presented by DiBella Entertainment and Warriors Boxing, in association with Matchroom Sports and Caesars Atlantic City. The bout will be televised live on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing starting at 9 PM ET/PT (delayed on the west coast) on Saturday, June 4.
To show his love for NBA team the Miami Heat and their ongoing effort to win the NBA Championship, Glen “The Road Warrior” Johnson (51-14-2, 35 KOs) will be wearing one of their official home uniforms when he enters the ring for his Super Six World Boxing Classic Semifinal clash against WBC super middleweight champion Carl “Cobra” Froch at the Adrian Phillips Ballroom at historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Saturday, June 4.
Carl Froch vs. Glen Johnson is presented by DiBella Entertainment and Warriors Boxing, in association with Matchroom Sports and Caesars Atlantic City. The bout will be televised live on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing starting at 9 PM ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).
Johnson, a season ticket holder and a super fan of the team, will be wearing an official warm-up uniform with breakaway pants, which he will remove in the ring to reveal an authentic team uniform. When the action starts, he will fight with Heat shorts as his trunks.
Additionally, Johnson’s corner men will all wear Heat warm up outfits on fight night.
“It was all Glen’s idea to show his love for the team,” said Johnson’s manager, Henry Foster. “He rarely misses a game when he’s home.”
Foster says he took Johnson’s idea to Heat representatives, got their approval and then contacted Adidas and also got their ok.
“Everyone I spoke to was very accommodating,” added Foster. “I’m told that several of the players on the team know about Glen and his love for the team and are also fans of his.”
Not wanting to show a favorite because he loves the entire team, Johnson will wear #42 in reference to his age.
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
To show his love for NBA team the Miami Heat and their ongoing effort to win the NBA Championship, Glen “The Road Warrior” Johnson (51-14-2, 35 KOs) will be wearing one of their official home uniforms when he enters the ring for his Super Six World Boxing Classic Semifinal clash against WBC super middleweight champion Carl “Cobra” Froch at the Adrian Phillips Ballroom at historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Saturday, June 4.
Carl Froch vs. Glen Johnson is presented by DiBella Entertainment and Warriors Boxing, in association with Matchroom Sports and Caesars Atlantic City. The bout will be televised live on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing starting at 9 PM ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).
Johnson, a season ticket holder and a super fan of the team, will be wearing an official warm-up uniform with breakaway pants, which he will remove in the ring to reveal an authentic team uniform. When the action starts, he will fight with Heat shorts as his trunks.
Additionally, Johnson’s corner men will all wear Heat warm up outfits on fight night.
“It was all Glen’s idea to show his love for the team,” said Johnson’s manager, Henry Foster. “He rarely misses a game when he’s home.”
Foster says he took Johnson’s idea to Heat representatives, got their approval and then contacted Adidas and also got their ok.
“Everyone I spoke to was very accommodating,” added Foster. “I’m told that several of the players on the team know about Glen and his love for the team and are also fans of his.”
Not wanting to show a favorite because he loves the entire team, Johnson will wear #42 in reference to his age.
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
Labels:Boxing, Events, Fight Sports, MMA,
Boardwalk Hall,
Carl Froch,
DiBella Entertainment,
glenn johnson,
Lou DiBella,
Miami Heat,
NBA,
Warrior Boxing
Team Puerto Rico Boxing present Borciua Boxing I & II on June 10 & 11 at the Roseland Ballroom in NYC
Team Puerto Rico Boxing present back-to-back boxing spectacular, Boricua Invasion I & II on June 10 & 11 at the Roseland Ballroom in NYC; Galarza, Dulorme, Pedraza top Friday night; Del Valle, Gonzalez, Arroyo, Sanchez, and Bracero to see action on Saturday. On June 10 and 11 the Roseland Ballroom in will be the headquarters for Boricua boxing pride as Gary Shaw Productions (“GSP”) and DiBella Entertainment (“DBE”) proudly present Boricua Invasion I and II. Boricua Boxing I will air live on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights, while Boricua Boxing II will be televised live on Showtime on ShoBox: The New Generation.
With hall-of-fame champion, and Puerto Rico’s beloved son, Felix “Tito” Trinidad acting as ambassador and host, Borcua Invasion I will feature highlight-reel welterweight KO specialist Kenny “Battlestar” Galarza (14-1, 14 KOs), of Juana Diaz, PR, in the main event against fellow Puerto Rican contender, Irving Garcia (17-6-3, 8 KOs). Topping undercard are the unstoppable welterweight on everybody’s “one to watch” list, Thomas “Tormenta” Dulorme (11-0, 10 KOs) as he battles former world champion DeMarcus Corley (37-17-1, 22 KOs), and former Puerto Rican Olympian, the 21-year old sensation,, Jose “El Dulce” Pedraza (2-0, 2 KOs) against an opponent to be named.
Special added attractions appearing on the undercard will be San Juan’s own Emanuel Gonzalez (9-7, 4 KOs) in a light heavyweight scrap, Puerto Rico-born women’s former world champion Melissa Hernandez (14-2-3, 5 KOs) of the Bronx, undefeated New Jersey welterweight southpaw Alex Perez (13-0, 7 KOs), Kansas heavyweight Steve Martin (0-1) and Dominican lightweight Jose Guzman (8-1, 5 KO).
The next night, with legendary Trinidad once again acting as host, Boricua Invasion II will feature five more members of Team Puerto Rico Boxing taking their turn in the spotlight, as popular undefeated Puerto Rican featherweight Luis “Orlandito” Del Valle (12-0, 10 KOs) faces the stiffest test of his young career against the all-action Vietnamese brawler Dat Nguyen (117-1, 6 KOs). Rounding out the ShoBox broadcast will be Vincent Arroyo, coming off an 8-round decision over previously unbeaten Willie Nelson, against fellow Boricua Hector Sanchez (19-1, 9 KOs) and intimidating middleweight knockout artist Jonathan “Mantequilla Gonzalez (12-0, 12 KOs) against an opponent to be named.
In a special off-TV attraction, unbeaten Gabriel “Tito” Bracero will duke it out with an opponent that will be announced in the coming days.
On the undercard, team member Jorge “Machito” Maysonet Jr. (3-0, 2 KOs), the promising son of former world title challenger Jorge Maysonet Sr., will look to stay unbeaten in a light welterweight four-rounder, Cupey Alto, Puerto Rico’s undefeated junior middleweight Elieser Gonzalez (11-0, 6 KOs), Bronx, New York super bantamweight Raul Lopez (5-1, 3 KOs) and undefeated Puerto Rican women’s sensation Amada Serrano (9-0-1, 5 KOs) will all see action.
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
With hall-of-fame champion, and Puerto Rico’s beloved son, Felix “Tito” Trinidad acting as ambassador and host, Borcua Invasion I will feature highlight-reel welterweight KO specialist Kenny “Battlestar” Galarza (14-1, 14 KOs), of Juana Diaz, PR, in the main event against fellow Puerto Rican contender, Irving Garcia (17-6-3, 8 KOs). Topping undercard are the unstoppable welterweight on everybody’s “one to watch” list, Thomas “Tormenta” Dulorme (11-0, 10 KOs) as he battles former world champion DeMarcus Corley (37-17-1, 22 KOs), and former Puerto Rican Olympian, the 21-year old sensation,, Jose “El Dulce” Pedraza (2-0, 2 KOs) against an opponent to be named.
Special added attractions appearing on the undercard will be San Juan’s own Emanuel Gonzalez (9-7, 4 KOs) in a light heavyweight scrap, Puerto Rico-born women’s former world champion Melissa Hernandez (14-2-3, 5 KOs) of the Bronx, undefeated New Jersey welterweight southpaw Alex Perez (13-0, 7 KOs), Kansas heavyweight Steve Martin (0-1) and Dominican lightweight Jose Guzman (8-1, 5 KO).
The next night, with legendary Trinidad once again acting as host, Boricua Invasion II will feature five more members of Team Puerto Rico Boxing taking their turn in the spotlight, as popular undefeated Puerto Rican featherweight Luis “Orlandito” Del Valle (12-0, 10 KOs) faces the stiffest test of his young career against the all-action Vietnamese brawler Dat Nguyen (117-1, 6 KOs). Rounding out the ShoBox broadcast will be Vincent Arroyo, coming off an 8-round decision over previously unbeaten Willie Nelson, against fellow Boricua Hector Sanchez (19-1, 9 KOs) and intimidating middleweight knockout artist Jonathan “Mantequilla Gonzalez (12-0, 12 KOs) against an opponent to be named.
In a special off-TV attraction, unbeaten Gabriel “Tito” Bracero will duke it out with an opponent that will be announced in the coming days.
On the undercard, team member Jorge “Machito” Maysonet Jr. (3-0, 2 KOs), the promising son of former world title challenger Jorge Maysonet Sr., will look to stay unbeaten in a light welterweight four-rounder, Cupey Alto, Puerto Rico’s undefeated junior middleweight Elieser Gonzalez (11-0, 6 KOs), Bronx, New York super bantamweight Raul Lopez (5-1, 3 KOs) and undefeated Puerto Rican women’s sensation Amada Serrano (9-0-1, 5 KOs) will all see action.
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
Labels:Boxing, Events, Fight Sports, MMA,
DeMarcus Corley,
Felix “Tito” Trinidad,
Irving Garcia,
Juana Diaz,
Kenny “Battlestar” Galarza,
Melissa Hernandez,
Thomas “Tormenta” Dulorme
"Homecoming" for Derrick Whitley June 25 pro boxing show in Holyoke, MA
"Homecoming" for Derrick Whitley June 25 pro boxing show in Holyoke, MA
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
Labels:Boxing, Events, Fight Sports, MMA,
Derrick Whitley
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Dynasty II: Pascal vs. Hopkins Final Press Conference Quotes
Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins and Jean Pascal made it clear at the final press conference in Montreal, Canada that they both want to let their fists do the talking when they meet this Saturday, May 21 at the Bell Center in Montreal in a bout that will be televised live on HBO's World Championship Boxing® in the United States and on pay-per-view in Canada. Hopkins spoke first, repeating the statement he made at the final press conference in December prior to his first fight against Pascal. Pascal then approached the podium and made the same statement. Both fighters immediately exited the press conference venue, showing they are 100 percent focused on Saturday night's WBC, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight World Championship fight.
Jean Pascal, WBC, WBC Diamond & Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight World Champion
"Enjoy the fight."
Bernard Hopkins, Former Two-Division World Champion
"Enjoy the fight."
"Dynasty II: Pascal vs. Hopkins" is presented by Groupe Yvon Michel and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Casino de Montreal, Videotron and Coors Light. The 12-round WBC, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight World Championship fight will take place Saturday, May 21 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada and will be televised live on HBO's World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT in the United States and distributed live on pay-per-view in Canada on Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV, Viewer's Choice and Sasktel in French and English beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET. A 12-round light heavyweight bout between former World Champions Chad Dawson and Adrian Diaconu will also be featured on the telecast. Dawson vs. Diaconu is presented in association with Gary Shaw Productions and InterBox.
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
Jean Pascal, WBC, WBC Diamond & Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight World Champion
"Enjoy the fight."
Bernard Hopkins, Former Two-Division World Champion
"Enjoy the fight."
"Dynasty II: Pascal vs. Hopkins" is presented by Groupe Yvon Michel and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Casino de Montreal, Videotron and Coors Light. The 12-round WBC, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight World Championship fight will take place Saturday, May 21 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada and will be televised live on HBO's World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT in the United States and distributed live on pay-per-view in Canada on Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV, Viewer's Choice and Sasktel in French and English beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET. A 12-round light heavyweight bout between former World Champions Chad Dawson and Adrian Diaconu will also be featured on the telecast. Dawson vs. Diaconu is presented in association with Gary Shaw Productions and InterBox.
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
Labels:Boxing, Events, Fight Sports, MMA,
BERNARD "The Executioner" HOPKINS,
Jean Pascal
Bernard Hopkins Montreal Workout Quotes
Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins hosted a media workout today at a local boxing gym in Montreal, Canada where the 46-year-old Two-Division World Champion and Future Hall of Famer discussed his championship rematch against WBC and Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight World Champion Jean Pascal which takes place this Saturday, May 21 at the Bell Centre in Montreal. In a rare fight week occurrence, Hopkins even stopped to pose and speak with several amateur fighters and fans stating "I promise you this will be the only time you see me on my knee."
(Photo by; Keisha Morrisey)
Hopkins Quotes:
"The word 'discipline' speaks volumes about my life and my career. The magic number 46 dictates how long the fire has burned in my belly.
"I am here today because of genetics, because of talent and mostly because of my good decisions.
"I think people have started to realize in the last three years or so that this is not normal.
"Time has passed so fast and I am still here with dignity, pride and respect.
"You can't hustle boxing or boxing will hustle you.
"When I was in my 30's, I was considered the 'old guy,' which means for the last 10 years, people have been calling me old. Maybe now I should be called 'grandpa' [laughs].
"I never would have believed that I would be here. There are a lot of things I have overcome in my life. I am not saying that this is easy, but this is nothing compared to what I went through when I was younger.
"I have always been accused of being a 15-round fighter. I could have fought in any era. George Foreman said that last week on our teleconference [call with the media].
"I want to remind people that I am the modern day Archie Moore. He came to Canada in his 40's and beat [Yvon] Durrelle in his own backyard. I am going to show the fans on Saturday night what déjà vu in the ring looks like in Canada.
"Winning the fight is the most important thing to me. Without the turkey, you don't get the dressing. The win is the turkey and the history is the dressing.
"[When asked if he hates Jean Pascal] Hate is a strong word. I don't like him. It is good that he hates me. We fight because we don't like each other.
"The fans are going to be my friends when I mess this kid up and win on Saturday night.
"I am wearing a [Philadelphia] Flyers jersey into the ring on Saturday night, a Bobby Clarke jersey with my name on it. I am going to be just like him, I might even take out my front teeth.
"I don't think there will be another fighter like me who will fight into their 40's at this level. Times have changed [in boxing]. You see belts changing hands so quickly. Fighters don't want to do the things they used to do, the things they had to do to win. It is hard for fighters to stick around now. I just don't see this happening again in the near future.
"My opponents keep giving me reasons to stay motivated. Right now I have a guy saying that I have been cheating and at the end of the day, that is motivation."
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
(Photo by; Keisha Morrisey)
Hopkins Quotes:
"The word 'discipline' speaks volumes about my life and my career. The magic number 46 dictates how long the fire has burned in my belly.
"I am here today because of genetics, because of talent and mostly because of my good decisions.
"I think people have started to realize in the last three years or so that this is not normal.
"Time has passed so fast and I am still here with dignity, pride and respect.
"You can't hustle boxing or boxing will hustle you.
"When I was in my 30's, I was considered the 'old guy,' which means for the last 10 years, people have been calling me old. Maybe now I should be called 'grandpa' [laughs].
"I never would have believed that I would be here. There are a lot of things I have overcome in my life. I am not saying that this is easy, but this is nothing compared to what I went through when I was younger.
"I have always been accused of being a 15-round fighter. I could have fought in any era. George Foreman said that last week on our teleconference [call with the media].
"I want to remind people that I am the modern day Archie Moore. He came to Canada in his 40's and beat [Yvon] Durrelle in his own backyard. I am going to show the fans on Saturday night what déjà vu in the ring looks like in Canada.
"Winning the fight is the most important thing to me. Without the turkey, you don't get the dressing. The win is the turkey and the history is the dressing.
"[When asked if he hates Jean Pascal] Hate is a strong word. I don't like him. It is good that he hates me. We fight because we don't like each other.
"The fans are going to be my friends when I mess this kid up and win on Saturday night.
"I am wearing a [Philadelphia] Flyers jersey into the ring on Saturday night, a Bobby Clarke jersey with my name on it. I am going to be just like him, I might even take out my front teeth.
"I don't think there will be another fighter like me who will fight into their 40's at this level. Times have changed [in boxing]. You see belts changing hands so quickly. Fighters don't want to do the things they used to do, the things they had to do to win. It is hard for fighters to stick around now. I just don't see this happening again in the near future.
"My opponents keep giving me reasons to stay motivated. Right now I have a guy saying that I have been cheating and at the end of the day, that is motivation."
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
BERNARD HOPKINS: THE AGELESS WONDER... AND THE STATISTICS TO PROVE IT
We are just a hours away from the most talked about rematch in recent years as Bernard Hopkins attempts to make history this Saturday, May 21 when he faces Jean Pascal for the WBC, WBC Diamond & Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight World Championships in Pascal's backyard at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada in a bout that will be televised live on HBO's World Championship Boxing® in the United States and on pay-per-view in Canada. If the 46-year-old Hopkins should emerge victorious, he will become the oldest boxer in history to win a significant world title.
Below please find statistics that further illustrate Hopkins' longevity as boxing's ageless wonder reaches for history once again.
(photo by Keisha Morrisey)
HOPKINS AGE STATISTICS:
· Hopkins was born in 1965. In that same year:
o Lyndon B. Johnson was President of the United States;
o The first U.S. combat troops were deployed to Vietnam;
o Malcom X was assassinated;
o The Beatles performed the first stadium concert in the history of rock and roll at Shea Stadium in New York.
· The world's population has doubled since Hopkins' birth year (the population went from 3,334,874,000 in 1965 to 6,775,235,700 in 2011).
· Hopkins entered Graterford State Penitentiary the year Pascal was born (1982).
· Pascal was barely six years old when Hopkins fought his first professional fight (1988).
· When Hopkins won his first world title against Segundo Mercado on April 29, 1995, Pascal was only 12 years old.
· At the time of Pascal's first professional fight (February 3, 2005 against Justin Hahn), Hopkins had already fought 49 professional fights and was preparing to fight Howard Eastman on February 19, 2005 in his 20th defense of his middleweight crown.
· Hopkins' career has spanned nearly 23 years, seven U.S. presidential terms and 11 Olympic Games.
· Thirty-one of Hopkins' 58 professional fights were against opponents younger than him.
· Hopkins has won two fights (against Kelly Pavlik and Enrique Ornelas) where there was at least a 15 year or more age differential between him and his opponent (Pavlik was 17 years younger and Ornelas was 15 years younger).
· There is an 18 year age difference between Pascal and Hopkins, the largest in Hopkins' career.
EL Boxing EmpressSee 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
Below please find statistics that further illustrate Hopkins' longevity as boxing's ageless wonder reaches for history once again.
(photo by Keisha Morrisey)
HOPKINS AGE STATISTICS:
· Hopkins was born in 1965. In that same year:
o Lyndon B. Johnson was President of the United States;
o The first U.S. combat troops were deployed to Vietnam;
o Malcom X was assassinated;
o The Beatles performed the first stadium concert in the history of rock and roll at Shea Stadium in New York.
· The world's population has doubled since Hopkins' birth year (the population went from 3,334,874,000 in 1965 to 6,775,235,700 in 2011).
· Hopkins entered Graterford State Penitentiary the year Pascal was born (1982).
· Pascal was barely six years old when Hopkins fought his first professional fight (1988).
· When Hopkins won his first world title against Segundo Mercado on April 29, 1995, Pascal was only 12 years old.
· At the time of Pascal's first professional fight (February 3, 2005 against Justin Hahn), Hopkins had already fought 49 professional fights and was preparing to fight Howard Eastman on February 19, 2005 in his 20th defense of his middleweight crown.
· Hopkins' career has spanned nearly 23 years, seven U.S. presidential terms and 11 Olympic Games.
· Thirty-one of Hopkins' 58 professional fights were against opponents younger than him.
· Hopkins has won two fights (against Kelly Pavlik and Enrique Ornelas) where there was at least a 15 year or more age differential between him and his opponent (Pavlik was 17 years younger and Ornelas was 15 years younger).
· There is an 18 year age difference between Pascal and Hopkins, the largest in Hopkins' career.
EL Boxing EmpressSee 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
Labels:Boxing, Events, Fight Sports, MMA,
"Bad" Chad Dawson,
Adrian Diaconu,
Bernard Hopkins,
Gary Shaw,
JEAN BEDARD
BERNARD HOPKINS REPRESENTS GREATNESS FOR OVER 40 CROWD
The Former Two-Division World Champion And Future Hall of Famer Represents Older Athletes When He Faces 28-Year-Old Jean Pascal This Saturday Night At The Bell Centre in Montreal live on HBO World Championship Boxing®
When former Two-Division World Champion Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins enters the ring this Saturday, May 21 to face WBC and Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight Champion Jean Pascal at the Bell Centre in Montreal Canada, he will be 46 years, four months and six days old, over a half a year (192 days) older that George Foreman was when he defeated Michael Moorer for the heavyweight championship on November 5, 1994. A win for Hopkins not only means becoming the Light Heavyweight World Champion again, but it also means he will break Foreman's longstanding record as the oldest fighter in boxing history to win a major world title.
"This fight is more about history than redemption," said Hopkins. "I want to be known as the modern day Archie Moore. Moore also went up to Montreal when he was over the age of 40, faced a younger hometown favorite [Yvon Durrelle] and knocked him out. It means more to me to break the age record and prove that I am representing not just the older fighters, but older athletes in any sport."
Regardless of the outcome of Saturday's fight, Hopkins is already among an elite class of athletes who have made statements in their respective sports well into their forties. Hopkins' first victory at the age of 40 came when he defeated Howard Eastman on February 19, 2005. He followed that with wins over Antonio Tarver, Winky Wright, Kelly Pavlik, Enrique Ornelas and Roy Jones Jr.
"This is not just historically significant for boxing," said Oscar de la Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions and Ten-Time World Champion in six weight divisions. "This is history making in sports...period. For Bernard to perform at this level at his age is something to be honored, revered and noted by students of this game and sports fans across the board. Yes, we have seen great athletes compete into their forties, but for Hopkins to be 46 and competing like this is just incredible."
"I am going to go out there on Saturday night and fight for all of the old guys out there," said Hopkins. "I am living proof that life isn't over at 40. I am leading by example to show that you can continue to do what you love well into your forties. My motivation is to get in that ring and prove to the young lion that the old lion still rules the jungle."
NOTABLE ATHLETES OVER THE AGE OF 40*:
· Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (NBA) - The iconic L.A. Laker retired in 1989 at the age of 42 after helping lead his team to back-to-back championships in '87 and '88. At the time of his retirement, Abdul-Jabbar was the all-time leader in points scored, games played, minutes played and field goals made.
· George Blanda (NFL) - An all-time leading NFL scorer, Blanda played until the age of 48 (from the 1940s-1970s). He is still the oldest player to suit up for an NFL game.
· Brett Favre (NFL) - The 20-year NFL veteran is the first quarterback to have wins against all 32 NFL franchises and the only quarterback to throw for over 70,000 yards. In the 2009-2010 season, Favre became the first 40-year-old quarterback to win a playoff game when he led the Minnesota Vikings to victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
· Bob Fitzsimmons (Boxing) - Boxing's first three-division world champion, Fitzsimmons retired from the sport in 1914 at the age of 51. He is revered as one of the greatest punchers to ever step into the ring.
· Gordie Howe (NHL) - The NHL Hall of Famer is the only player to grace the ice into his 50s and to play in six different decades (1940s-1990s). After stepping away from the NHL at the age of 43, he returned nine years later at the age of 52 to play for the Harford Whalers, scoring 15 goals in the '79-80 season.
· Archie Moore (Boxing) - "The Old Mongoose" had one of the longest careers in the history of boxing. With 219 professional fights and the most knockouts in history (131), he won the light heavyweight world title at the age of 39 and continued to fight until he was 47 years old.
· Jamie Moyer (MLB) - As part of the 2009 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies, Moyer pitched a team-high 16 wins at the age of 45.
· Jack Nicklaus (PGA) - The most decorated golfer in PGA history, Nicklaus began amassing championship wins in his twenties. At 40, he won both the PGA Championship and U.S. Open. Nicklaus made history again when he won the Masters at the age of 46 and still holds the record as the oldest Masters champion.
· Richard Petty (NASCAR) - The winningest driver in NASCAR history, Petty drove in over 2,000 races during his 35-year career, winning the Daytona 500 twice after his 40th birthday. He retired in 1984 at the age of 47.
· Jerry Rice (NFL) - At the age of 40, the Hall of Fame wide receiver scored his two hundredth career touchdown and surpassed Walter Payton to become the NFL's all-time leader in total yardage. That same year (2002 NFL season), he helped lead the Oakland Raiders to Super Bowl XXXVII. Rice's 48-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter of that game made him the first NFL player to score a touchdown in four Super Bowls.
· Nolan Ryan (MLB) - Ryan threw two no-hitters at the age of 40 and amassed over 1,000 strikeouts in his six seasons after hitting the four-decade mark. He retired at the age of 46.
· Willie Shoemaker (Horse Racing) - In 1986, Shoemaker became the oldest jockey to win the Kentucky Derby. He was 54 years old.
· Dara Torres (Olympic Swimming) - At the age of 41, Torres swam her way to three silver medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. She is the oldest swimmer in history to be placed on the U.S. Olympic team.
*References: SI.com, Askmen.com and Wikipedia.com
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
When former Two-Division World Champion Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins enters the ring this Saturday, May 21 to face WBC and Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight Champion Jean Pascal at the Bell Centre in Montreal Canada, he will be 46 years, four months and six days old, over a half a year (192 days) older that George Foreman was when he defeated Michael Moorer for the heavyweight championship on November 5, 1994. A win for Hopkins not only means becoming the Light Heavyweight World Champion again, but it also means he will break Foreman's longstanding record as the oldest fighter in boxing history to win a major world title.
"This fight is more about history than redemption," said Hopkins. "I want to be known as the modern day Archie Moore. Moore also went up to Montreal when he was over the age of 40, faced a younger hometown favorite [Yvon Durrelle] and knocked him out. It means more to me to break the age record and prove that I am representing not just the older fighters, but older athletes in any sport."
Regardless of the outcome of Saturday's fight, Hopkins is already among an elite class of athletes who have made statements in their respective sports well into their forties. Hopkins' first victory at the age of 40 came when he defeated Howard Eastman on February 19, 2005. He followed that with wins over Antonio Tarver, Winky Wright, Kelly Pavlik, Enrique Ornelas and Roy Jones Jr.
"This is not just historically significant for boxing," said Oscar de la Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions and Ten-Time World Champion in six weight divisions. "This is history making in sports...period. For Bernard to perform at this level at his age is something to be honored, revered and noted by students of this game and sports fans across the board. Yes, we have seen great athletes compete into their forties, but for Hopkins to be 46 and competing like this is just incredible."
"I am going to go out there on Saturday night and fight for all of the old guys out there," said Hopkins. "I am living proof that life isn't over at 40. I am leading by example to show that you can continue to do what you love well into your forties. My motivation is to get in that ring and prove to the young lion that the old lion still rules the jungle."
NOTABLE ATHLETES OVER THE AGE OF 40*:
· Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (NBA) - The iconic L.A. Laker retired in 1989 at the age of 42 after helping lead his team to back-to-back championships in '87 and '88. At the time of his retirement, Abdul-Jabbar was the all-time leader in points scored, games played, minutes played and field goals made.
· George Blanda (NFL) - An all-time leading NFL scorer, Blanda played until the age of 48 (from the 1940s-1970s). He is still the oldest player to suit up for an NFL game.
· Brett Favre (NFL) - The 20-year NFL veteran is the first quarterback to have wins against all 32 NFL franchises and the only quarterback to throw for over 70,000 yards. In the 2009-2010 season, Favre became the first 40-year-old quarterback to win a playoff game when he led the Minnesota Vikings to victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
· Bob Fitzsimmons (Boxing) - Boxing's first three-division world champion, Fitzsimmons retired from the sport in 1914 at the age of 51. He is revered as one of the greatest punchers to ever step into the ring.
· Gordie Howe (NHL) - The NHL Hall of Famer is the only player to grace the ice into his 50s and to play in six different decades (1940s-1990s). After stepping away from the NHL at the age of 43, he returned nine years later at the age of 52 to play for the Harford Whalers, scoring 15 goals in the '79-80 season.
· Archie Moore (Boxing) - "The Old Mongoose" had one of the longest careers in the history of boxing. With 219 professional fights and the most knockouts in history (131), he won the light heavyweight world title at the age of 39 and continued to fight until he was 47 years old.
· Jamie Moyer (MLB) - As part of the 2009 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies, Moyer pitched a team-high 16 wins at the age of 45.
· Jack Nicklaus (PGA) - The most decorated golfer in PGA history, Nicklaus began amassing championship wins in his twenties. At 40, he won both the PGA Championship and U.S. Open. Nicklaus made history again when he won the Masters at the age of 46 and still holds the record as the oldest Masters champion.
· Richard Petty (NASCAR) - The winningest driver in NASCAR history, Petty drove in over 2,000 races during his 35-year career, winning the Daytona 500 twice after his 40th birthday. He retired in 1984 at the age of 47.
· Jerry Rice (NFL) - At the age of 40, the Hall of Fame wide receiver scored his two hundredth career touchdown and surpassed Walter Payton to become the NFL's all-time leader in total yardage. That same year (2002 NFL season), he helped lead the Oakland Raiders to Super Bowl XXXVII. Rice's 48-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter of that game made him the first NFL player to score a touchdown in four Super Bowls.
· Nolan Ryan (MLB) - Ryan threw two no-hitters at the age of 40 and amassed over 1,000 strikeouts in his six seasons after hitting the four-decade mark. He retired at the age of 46.
· Willie Shoemaker (Horse Racing) - In 1986, Shoemaker became the oldest jockey to win the Kentucky Derby. He was 54 years old.
· Dara Torres (Olympic Swimming) - At the age of 41, Torres swam her way to three silver medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. She is the oldest swimmer in history to be placed on the U.S. Olympic team.
*References: SI.com, Askmen.com and Wikipedia.com
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
Labels:Boxing, Events, Fight Sports, MMA,
BERNARD "The Executioner" HOPKINS,
Jean Pascal
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
George Foreman Discusses The Possibility Of Bernard Hopkins Breaking His Record As The Oldest Fighter In Boxing History To Win A Significant World...
“Big” George Foreman Discusses The Possibility Of Bernard Hopkins Breaking His Record As The Oldest Fighter In Boxing History To Win A Significant World Title
“You must get a knockout. This fight and the record will not be broken on a unanimous decision. There must be a knockout.
“He is the last, truly, thinking man’s fighter, boxer and puncher. That’s what makes Bernard unique. He thinks in the ring.
“I’ll be watching HBO. Can you imagine? HBO was there when I knocked out Joe Frazier as the inauguration of their fighting program on television. Now, if they’re able to televise Bernard Hopkins breaking the record of George Foreman-man, what a milestone.
[On his own record and career] “I thought such a record would last a lot longer than it has lasted because 45 is phenomenal and just think, Bernard Hopkins is 46. He’s probably the only one who could break such a record because not only does he possess this big punch to get a knockout, but he’s also a good boxer and at times, a counter-puncher. He can pull it off, no doubt about it.
“I think if Bernard has any idea of how great an opportunity this is not only for boxing, but for all sports. Once I became champion again, it pushed other athletes in other sports to even drive and do things at a later age. If Bernard is able to win this thing and do it decisively, it’s going to help boxing. I don’t think guys should be looking at their career as over just because they’re 35. You need time to pursue other things, like get a college education, be a movie star, and then come back, lick your fingers and be a champion again.
[On the similarities between Foreman and Hopkins] “It’s all about pride. That’s about it. It’s not limited to just pride in yourself, but also your community, your family, and boxing. Those are the similarities we have. He looks in the mirror and he still sees a young kid. Bernard Hopkins-he still thinks he’s a kid, you know? I did the same thing.
“You step into the ring at 46, you just got to understand that you are just a kid like the other guy across the ring. You can’t look at yourself as a 46-and that’s a challenge, too. It is a challenge because you walk in the ring. Everybody you know-all your buddies and friends got gray hair. You’re going to have to just get over there and say, ‘I’m not one of those guys!’
“After I lost the title to Muhammad Ali and then [lost to] Jimmy Young, I had so much time off. If I had made up my mind to continue, I think that I could have been champion, regained the title and the reign would have lasted all the way into ’94. Time helped me, but not as much as if I’d been active, I could’ve done it a lot easier.
“Larry Holmes once told me when I made up my mind to get back into boxing, he said, ‘George, you can do it.’ He said, ‘If I had your punch, there wouldn’t be any question about it.’ He encouraged me more than anyone. Muhammad Ali was always, ‘Keep punching. You can do it.’ Joe Frazier-he had a little faith in me. So, from the days back, the previous guys did encourage me in their own way.
“It was so hard to come back after 10 years. I was out there relaxing and enjoying-eating and sleeping when I wanted to. Desserts were on the menu, something I didn’t do previously. To stop all of that and then pursue boxing, go to bed early when babies are crying around the house. I didn’t have that originally. It was rough. It became a job.
“In the first time around, I had this dynamite program with reflexes. I could stop punches before they’d get there, catch them in the air, just before you hit me, I’d hit you; I had this dynamic program of reflexes. Coming back in the gym, I found out, that’s not going to work. So, I had to change my style, set my defense exactly where a guy is going to hit me and not move them around too much. I would have to go longer distance because I knew people would try to extend me because of my age. So, from three and a half miles, I had to add 10 miles to my program of running.
[Staying in shape past 40] “A great obstacle that a lot of people don’t understand is that as you get older, you start looking at young people as if to say, “Oh, that kid.” You can’t do that. That’s the obstacle. Make certain that you look and see-every guy that you see is not a kid. Though he’s 21, 22, or 23, it’s an obstacle to not look at them as competitors equal to you when that bell rings. It’s great.
[On being 45 and setting the age record] “You find yourself at open houses with your children. Then, all of a sudden, you realize you have a grandchild. I had a grandchild. I was having grandkids. Then, you think, ‘Is that possible? I’m the heavyweight champion of the world, a grandfather?’ It did start to sink in. I wondered, ‘I don’t think anyone would ever do this.’ That’s why it’s very important. I’ll be watching anxiously to see how this will turn out because grandpas are competing now.
[On Pascal] “He’s a great fighter. He’s from a great country that has great boxers. He understands that this fight is not only going up to defend his title, but at the same time, he’s got pride in what he’s doing.
[On Pascal's chances of winning on points in Montreal] “Well, one thing you got to understand is that hometown thing. It gives you an extra something in your body that you generally don’t have. I mean, it gives you more courage. It gives you more speed. He is able to land shots that Bernard Hopkins is not able to land. Bernard is a decisive, good, crisp puncher. He doesn’t waste time on throwing nothing shots. The champion-he doesn’t mind. Any shot is a point and I think he’s better equipped to win because he’s not looking for a knockout. It’s a point system and he is better equipped to win this fight on the point system [in Montreal].
[On Hopkins] “The last time I had a chance to communicate with Bernard, he was at a competitive age. He was just doing what he was supposed to do. Of course, he was a veteran fighter, but at this point, we’ve never had a chance to talk about it. He’s one of those guys who just continuously goes out and does what he’s going to do. Probably recently, he’s starting to say, ‘I’m a senior here. This is going to have to be undertaken as a feat,’ but I’ve never had such a conversation with him.
“My hope is that he’ll go out there and put on a good fight. Understand that these fights generally are not won by decisions. In the latter rounds; he should look for a knockout like I did. There was no way I could have been in the record books without that one-two knockout punch. Bernard Hopkins-he’s got it, but he’s going to have to get it by way of knockout.
“Bernard is a thinking man’s fighter. I didn’t realize that until he fought Trinidad. I had no idea. I always considered him a good, rough-and-tough fighter, but with the Trinidad fight, he took his time. He measured the ring. He measured the fighter, used his jab, and threw his right hand from a distance until the time for the knockout. He is the last, truly, thinking man’s fighter, boxer and puncher. That’s what makes Bernard unique. He thinks in the ring. Most people, even myself, were overtaken with that moment. You get excited. A guy hits you in the eye. You got to get him back. You got to get payback. This man thinks. He doesn’t wait for the corner to tell him what’s going on. He thinks while he’s active in the ring.
[On Pascal vs. Hopkins I] “I was just sitting there on the edge, hoping that he’d pull it off, but Bernard has to realize, as I did when I fought Michael Moorer, you must get a knockout. This fight and the record will not be broken on a unanimous decision. There must be a knockout.
[On Pascal vs. Hopkins II] “It is important to appeal to the youthful pride. Meet in the middle of the ring and say, ‘Let’s fight. What are you running from? C’mon.’ [If you do that] you appeal to all of the boxers, ex-boxers and all the fans who want boxing back in its proper position.
“Bernard has to understand that this guy, the champion, could land one punch, two punches, three punches that mean nothing to him, but they could be points in the bag. That’s why I expecting Bernard to load up in the latter end of the fight, and go for the knockout, break that record, and break it fair and square where everybody can see it.
“The first fight is going to have to be erased. The decision was not of quality. The second time around, Bernard will get a knockout.
“I’ll be watching HBO. Can you imagine? HBO was there when I knocked out Joe Frazier as the inauguration of their fighting program on television. Now, if they’re able to televise Bernard Hopkins breaking the record of George Foreman-man, what a milestone..
Foreman Introduces Hopkins:
“Bernard Hopkins-probably the only man that stands a chance to break all records, one that’s going to set and stay there for a long time. Ladies and gentlemen, enjoy the great one.”
Hopkins:
“Thank you, Big George. I’d like to say to everybody that’s listening before we start, this is a bittersweet opportunity for me because George Foreman has always been a guy that we came up on-I say “we”-my era with the Ali’s, the Joe Frazier’s, the George Foreman’s. So, I’m going to represent history very well come next Saturday, May 21st. There are not too many fighters able to have this kind of opportunity. So, I will not sneeze at this. I will take this title. I will become the oldest champion. So, thank you, George. Again, I would like to tell everybody it’s a bittersweet opportunity for me because of George’s legacy, but it’s in good hands, George.”
Foreman:
“All records were set to be broken. I’m just hoping someone will come back and do it at 65 so I can come back again.”
Hopkins:
“I will be right behind you…hopefully.”
“Dynasty II: Pascal vs. Hopkins” is presented by GroupeYvon Michel and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Casino de Montreal, Videotron and Coors Light. The 12-round WBC, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight World Championship fight will take place Saturday, May 21 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada and will be televised live on HBO’s World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT in the United States and distributed live on pay-per-view in Canada on Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV, Viewer’s Choice and Sasktel in French and English beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET. A 12-round light heavyweight bout between former World Champions Chad Dawson and Adrian Diaconu will also be featured on the telecast. Dawson vs. Diaconu is presented in association with Gary Shaw Productions and InterBox.
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
“You must get a knockout. This fight and the record will not be broken on a unanimous decision. There must be a knockout.
“He is the last, truly, thinking man’s fighter, boxer and puncher. That’s what makes Bernard unique. He thinks in the ring.
“I’ll be watching HBO. Can you imagine? HBO was there when I knocked out Joe Frazier as the inauguration of their fighting program on television. Now, if they’re able to televise Bernard Hopkins breaking the record of George Foreman-man, what a milestone.
[On his own record and career] “I thought such a record would last a lot longer than it has lasted because 45 is phenomenal and just think, Bernard Hopkins is 46. He’s probably the only one who could break such a record because not only does he possess this big punch to get a knockout, but he’s also a good boxer and at times, a counter-puncher. He can pull it off, no doubt about it.
“I think if Bernard has any idea of how great an opportunity this is not only for boxing, but for all sports. Once I became champion again, it pushed other athletes in other sports to even drive and do things at a later age. If Bernard is able to win this thing and do it decisively, it’s going to help boxing. I don’t think guys should be looking at their career as over just because they’re 35. You need time to pursue other things, like get a college education, be a movie star, and then come back, lick your fingers and be a champion again.
[On the similarities between Foreman and Hopkins] “It’s all about pride. That’s about it. It’s not limited to just pride in yourself, but also your community, your family, and boxing. Those are the similarities we have. He looks in the mirror and he still sees a young kid. Bernard Hopkins-he still thinks he’s a kid, you know? I did the same thing.
“You step into the ring at 46, you just got to understand that you are just a kid like the other guy across the ring. You can’t look at yourself as a 46-and that’s a challenge, too. It is a challenge because you walk in the ring. Everybody you know-all your buddies and friends got gray hair. You’re going to have to just get over there and say, ‘I’m not one of those guys!’
“After I lost the title to Muhammad Ali and then [lost to] Jimmy Young, I had so much time off. If I had made up my mind to continue, I think that I could have been champion, regained the title and the reign would have lasted all the way into ’94. Time helped me, but not as much as if I’d been active, I could’ve done it a lot easier.
“Larry Holmes once told me when I made up my mind to get back into boxing, he said, ‘George, you can do it.’ He said, ‘If I had your punch, there wouldn’t be any question about it.’ He encouraged me more than anyone. Muhammad Ali was always, ‘Keep punching. You can do it.’ Joe Frazier-he had a little faith in me. So, from the days back, the previous guys did encourage me in their own way.
“It was so hard to come back after 10 years. I was out there relaxing and enjoying-eating and sleeping when I wanted to. Desserts were on the menu, something I didn’t do previously. To stop all of that and then pursue boxing, go to bed early when babies are crying around the house. I didn’t have that originally. It was rough. It became a job.
“In the first time around, I had this dynamite program with reflexes. I could stop punches before they’d get there, catch them in the air, just before you hit me, I’d hit you; I had this dynamic program of reflexes. Coming back in the gym, I found out, that’s not going to work. So, I had to change my style, set my defense exactly where a guy is going to hit me and not move them around too much. I would have to go longer distance because I knew people would try to extend me because of my age. So, from three and a half miles, I had to add 10 miles to my program of running.
[Staying in shape past 40] “A great obstacle that a lot of people don’t understand is that as you get older, you start looking at young people as if to say, “Oh, that kid.” You can’t do that. That’s the obstacle. Make certain that you look and see-every guy that you see is not a kid. Though he’s 21, 22, or 23, it’s an obstacle to not look at them as competitors equal to you when that bell rings. It’s great.
[On being 45 and setting the age record] “You find yourself at open houses with your children. Then, all of a sudden, you realize you have a grandchild. I had a grandchild. I was having grandkids. Then, you think, ‘Is that possible? I’m the heavyweight champion of the world, a grandfather?’ It did start to sink in. I wondered, ‘I don’t think anyone would ever do this.’ That’s why it’s very important. I’ll be watching anxiously to see how this will turn out because grandpas are competing now.
[On Pascal] “He’s a great fighter. He’s from a great country that has great boxers. He understands that this fight is not only going up to defend his title, but at the same time, he’s got pride in what he’s doing.
[On Pascal's chances of winning on points in Montreal] “Well, one thing you got to understand is that hometown thing. It gives you an extra something in your body that you generally don’t have. I mean, it gives you more courage. It gives you more speed. He is able to land shots that Bernard Hopkins is not able to land. Bernard is a decisive, good, crisp puncher. He doesn’t waste time on throwing nothing shots. The champion-he doesn’t mind. Any shot is a point and I think he’s better equipped to win because he’s not looking for a knockout. It’s a point system and he is better equipped to win this fight on the point system [in Montreal].
[On Hopkins] “The last time I had a chance to communicate with Bernard, he was at a competitive age. He was just doing what he was supposed to do. Of course, he was a veteran fighter, but at this point, we’ve never had a chance to talk about it. He’s one of those guys who just continuously goes out and does what he’s going to do. Probably recently, he’s starting to say, ‘I’m a senior here. This is going to have to be undertaken as a feat,’ but I’ve never had such a conversation with him.
“My hope is that he’ll go out there and put on a good fight. Understand that these fights generally are not won by decisions. In the latter rounds; he should look for a knockout like I did. There was no way I could have been in the record books without that one-two knockout punch. Bernard Hopkins-he’s got it, but he’s going to have to get it by way of knockout.
“Bernard is a thinking man’s fighter. I didn’t realize that until he fought Trinidad. I had no idea. I always considered him a good, rough-and-tough fighter, but with the Trinidad fight, he took his time. He measured the ring. He measured the fighter, used his jab, and threw his right hand from a distance until the time for the knockout. He is the last, truly, thinking man’s fighter, boxer and puncher. That’s what makes Bernard unique. He thinks in the ring. Most people, even myself, were overtaken with that moment. You get excited. A guy hits you in the eye. You got to get him back. You got to get payback. This man thinks. He doesn’t wait for the corner to tell him what’s going on. He thinks while he’s active in the ring.
[On Pascal vs. Hopkins I] “I was just sitting there on the edge, hoping that he’d pull it off, but Bernard has to realize, as I did when I fought Michael Moorer, you must get a knockout. This fight and the record will not be broken on a unanimous decision. There must be a knockout.
[On Pascal vs. Hopkins II] “It is important to appeal to the youthful pride. Meet in the middle of the ring and say, ‘Let’s fight. What are you running from? C’mon.’ [If you do that] you appeal to all of the boxers, ex-boxers and all the fans who want boxing back in its proper position.
“Bernard has to understand that this guy, the champion, could land one punch, two punches, three punches that mean nothing to him, but they could be points in the bag. That’s why I expecting Bernard to load up in the latter end of the fight, and go for the knockout, break that record, and break it fair and square where everybody can see it.
“The first fight is going to have to be erased. The decision was not of quality. The second time around, Bernard will get a knockout.
“I’ll be watching HBO. Can you imagine? HBO was there when I knocked out Joe Frazier as the inauguration of their fighting program on television. Now, if they’re able to televise Bernard Hopkins breaking the record of George Foreman-man, what a milestone..
Foreman Introduces Hopkins:
“Bernard Hopkins-probably the only man that stands a chance to break all records, one that’s going to set and stay there for a long time. Ladies and gentlemen, enjoy the great one.”
Hopkins:
“Thank you, Big George. I’d like to say to everybody that’s listening before we start, this is a bittersweet opportunity for me because George Foreman has always been a guy that we came up on-I say “we”-my era with the Ali’s, the Joe Frazier’s, the George Foreman’s. So, I’m going to represent history very well come next Saturday, May 21st. There are not too many fighters able to have this kind of opportunity. So, I will not sneeze at this. I will take this title. I will become the oldest champion. So, thank you, George. Again, I would like to tell everybody it’s a bittersweet opportunity for me because of George’s legacy, but it’s in good hands, George.”
Foreman:
“All records were set to be broken. I’m just hoping someone will come back and do it at 65 so I can come back again.”
Hopkins:
“I will be right behind you…hopefully.”
“Dynasty II: Pascal vs. Hopkins” is presented by GroupeYvon Michel and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Casino de Montreal, Videotron and Coors Light. The 12-round WBC, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight World Championship fight will take place Saturday, May 21 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada and will be televised live on HBO’s World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT in the United States and distributed live on pay-per-view in Canada on Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV, Viewer’s Choice and Sasktel in French and English beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET. A 12-round light heavyweight bout between former World Champions Chad Dawson and Adrian Diaconu will also be featured on the telecast. Dawson vs. Diaconu is presented in association with Gary Shaw Productions and InterBox.
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
Labels:Boxing, Events, Fight Sports, MMA,
Adrian Diaconu,
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Jean Pascal
Boxing Legend Bernard Hopkins' Attempt To Break Foreman's Record To Become The Oldest Fighter In History To Win A Significant World Title When He Face
Boxing Legend Bernard Hopkins' Attempt To Break Foreman's Record To Become The Oldest Fighter In History To Win A Significant World Title When He Faces WBC & Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight World Champion Jean Pascal on May 21
BERNARD HOPKINS SPECIAL INTERNATIONAL MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL
Q
Bernard, I think we all know that you should have already made history, back in December. It was not a good decision. I think most of us know that you won that fight. That said, what would this mean to you to break George’s record? What would it mean to boxing overall?
B. Hopkins
For me, personally, it’s a great achievement to be still doing what I do at a high level and to be able to do it and make history at the same time. Now that I’m here, it’s more appreciated to me to last this long in the game. This is a game where if you get 10 years out of this sport, you’re considered lucky. So, to get two decades and come upon history at least four or five times in my career with the defenses as a middleweight and of course, I beat Tarver to become the only middleweight to become a light heavyweight champion. I mean, you put all this stuff together and then you look at what I’m ready to do now, next Saturday, with the opportunity to surpass George Foreman with 190 days outside of when he beat the Michael Moorer. As Jim Lampley said, “It happened; it happened on HBO.”
I mean, you say Archie Moore, you say Bernard Hopkins. I consider it-and he was one of the greats also that accomplished a great achievement in his forties. So it is surreal that Archie Moore, if you know anything about history, which I believe you do, fought in Montreal, Canada and he fought Durelle in Canada for the championship after getting knocked down once or twice. He came back and won that fight. Archie Moore was victorious.
I get a chance to follow those footsteps. For anybody who’s listening, do your research. You’ll see I’m correct. I’m a veteran. I know how to have patience through the next ten days of [preparation for] combat. So I’m ready. I’m ready mentally; I’m ready physically. I can’t worry about what they did last fight. That’s the past, but it’s the reminder that I’ve been down this road before. I get a chance to-not redeem myself, but I get a chance to make their wrong become my right.
Q
I don’t know if you were listening to George’s comments before you came on to the call, but he talked about that…no judges. You need a knock-out to win the fight. He seemed pretty adamant about the fact that you need to go for the knock-out. Don’t leave it in the judge’s hands. I know you probably knew that was the case last time with what happened in the first fight. What are your thoughts about the possibility that you might need to get the knock-out just to make sure there’s absolutely zero question about what will happen to this fight next Saturday?
B. Hopkins
I would love to go in there and get my knockout. That would stop my drought. The last time I had a knockout was Oscar de la Hoya. I’ve been in a drought for many years, but I’ll take a good beat-down, sort of like a William Joppy type of beat-down. It’d probably be better for Pascal to get knocked out than take a 12-round beating because we know that everybody that fought, well, not everybody, but most of the young fighters that were in the ring with me for more than eight to ten rounds weren’t the same after that. I don’t have to mention any names, we know who they are.
My thing is to execute. If I win every round and fight every round, it’s like you win the fight. You win the fight. Beat this guy up. You just make it seem one-sided. I’m looking to put that type of performance on. The only way to do that is to put the pressure on Pascal. I don’t believe he can fight backing up. I believe that, when you’re going to a target, things can happen. I’m aware of that.
As you said, the last fight when we talked-to let you know I remembered-you said, “Why didn’t you fight like that a long time ago?” I said, “I wouldn’t be here if I did.” I tell you what. You’re going to see, I take that as an honest question because, at the end of the day, I’m at that point now where I’m going to bring on some Philadelphia fight to that town in that ring in Montreal. I’m going to press and I’m going to back him up. I’m going to make him fight and that’s why this fight is going to be one of the best fights that HBO had on World Championship Boxing. I know they’re going to do major ratings because it’s going to be a fight that people are going to talk about between now and then.
After last Saturday, I think the boxing fans deserve a nice knockdown, drag out fight. I’m willing to do my part. That’s all I can say to everybody who’s listening. I know you all heard promises and what people are going to do. I’ve been part of that, but my style is my style, but I promise, that what you all will see next Saturday, like last fight, it’s going to be way out of character. That doesn’t mean I’m not going to be smart, I’m not going to stick to the game plan, but you’re going to see the old Philadelphia Bernard Hopkins, old Philadelphia history from the Benny Driscoll, to Willy “The Worm” [Monroe], the Cyclone of Hearts-and I could go on and on and on. That’s going to be next Saturday. You all are going to enjoy a great, historic fight.
Q
Bernard, I wanted to ask you one thing about your training camp situation. Nazim Richardson, obviously, your trainer has been with Shane Mosley for many weeks, getting him ready for last week’s fight with Pacquiao. I talked to him when I was in Las Vegas. He said he kept in touch with [assistant trainer] Danny [Davis] on the telephone. He paid a visit to the training camp during the course of the camp, but how was it to go through the camp and not have him back until these last two weeks? I mean, was there anything, and he says you’re such a veteran it didn’t make a difference, but what are your thoughts about having Naazim away from most of your training camp?
B. Hopkins
I told Naazim I’m going to give him my cell phone bill because he called me every other day. So, I got a cell phone bill for over five G’s. So, Naazim and I have done this more than one time. Naazim knows, and you know, I run my own ship. I mean, it’s no secret to people that have known me for boxing. You’ve known me over 10 years. I basically run my own thing. I was comfortable with it.
Naazim had an opportunity to fight on that big stage like that. Of course, physically, he can’t go in and fight, but he’s here now. Trust me; if you saw my cell phone bill. I don’t know what Danny’s cell phone bill will look like and I’m not paying for it, but I know that Naazim’s been making sure that I don’t overdo it and making sure, because you know I say I run three miles and I run five. So, it’s been good.
We add a little adjustment here, a little adjustment there. Again, you used the word veteran. I would never put my situation there where I know everything, but I keep it honest with me and my mind and my mental state, but I know how to take orders from a person that I respect because you have to respect him. I’ll be fine. We’ll be fine. Everything was good.
Q
You seem to have developed a pretty healthy dislike for Pascal based on some of the things he said. Is that a real dislike or is that just hype for the fight? Can you talk about that?
B. Hopkins
I said a lot of things about my opponents to get in their head, but I never said an opponent cheated. I never said a person did anything to win a fight, outside of the ring or inside of the ring, but that becomes a part of the game, but it’s just part of a person’s being intimidated or just not knowing what to say. A lot of it had to do with this…you have to say something to justify what you didn’t do, but there are repercussions. I mean, when you’re younger, you say things. Your parents will smack you on your hand or give you a punishment or something like that, but we are accountable for what we say and what we do. Come May 21st, I will take care of the physical part of it and then, I’ll let my people take care of the other part of it.
I don’t have to tell you what that means and I don’t want to get into it, but at the end of the day, I’ve always been a guy that speaks about health awareness and speaks about how if you take care of your body yesterday, you’ll have something tomorrow. You take care of your money now; you’ll have something in the future. It’s the same concept. If you’re a guy that likes to spend, eventually you’re going to be broke.
So, it’s no different than the way I treat my life in the way I act, in the way I think, in the way I deal with my family. It’s the same thing. When things are being questioned about what I have done for all of these years and my credibility and my hard work, there are repercussions beyond that. I’m going to take care of business next Saturday and then we deal with the other stuff later.
Q
How much tougher is it to train for a fight at 46 than it was at 36 or 26?
B. Hopkins
For me, it isn’t tough at all. Just, basically, they have to pull me back. Naazim Richardson continued to call me from [Big Bear and] Vegas. We had an alternate guy that came up with Naazim in his late fifties named Moses who was sort of like Danny’s eyes and ears. He trained also in Philadelphia, but he never got the notoriety because he never had the athlete to take him that far to get it.
I’ve been in good hands with Danny Davis, but the only thing is to have me not overdo what I have loved to do for two decades. I like to train. I like to run. I like to eat the right foods. This is a habit. It’s a good when you’ve got good habits, it makes everybody’s job easier. Of course, sometimes I have aches and pains or I have a lot of rub-in muscle cream in my medicine cabinet, but other than that, 20 years of boxing as a professional since I was nine years old as an amateur, you’re going to have these things as time goes on.
I think 50 percent of me, and that’s not knocking any other fighter; I’m only speaking for myself, is 100 percent in today’s world of athletics. People in any sport; football, basketball, hockey, I don’t care, golf, I think that people look at me; they should think I’m not the norm. I’m glad to say I’m not the norm doing everything right and everything by the book.
The way I took care of my body after leaving the penitentiary twenty-something years ago, it is discipline, never taking anyone lightly, never having an excuse for not being in shape, not being 20, 30 pounds over my weight and I’m fighting light heavyweight and I’m weighing 205 pounds and I have to train to get the weight off and then train for the fight. That’s not me. I’m letting everybody know there’s no secret out there on me. It’s just discipline and sometimes it’s hard for others and sometimes, it’s not. For me, it’s not.
Q
When will you know when it’s time for you to hang it up?
B. Hopkins
When I get beat up.
Q
I wondering if you watched Mosley/Pacquiao this weekend and like to take on Mosley’s performance, a lot of people are busting his chops really hard saying that they don’t think you really fought to win. I’d like your take on it.
B. Hopkins
I think that at the end of the day, he talked a really good game and he fought. I just think that he would have went out as a winner if he just showed effort to win and not touch gloves every round. So everything works for different people and when people see me in the streets of Philadelphia and they see me coming in again and they see me now, they say “You see the fight Bernard? Why did he keep touching gloves every round?” This is a legitimate question, because that’s strange to average people. These aren’t hard-core boxing people. I say, “That’s a sign of submission.”
It’s called body language and I’m not bragging my upbringing. I was sort of like George but I was a guy in the street when I had that mentality. Some would call it a bully. I don’t brag about being that, and I speak against that now, but when I was younger, they’d see me coming up the street, everybody would go into their houses. Part of that body language of submission is to praise the guy. You don’t want that bully that’s around that corner to take your watch or take your chain or take your wallet. So, you want to be friends with him. You want to be nice with him. So, translate that to boxing. Translate that to the match Saturday.
Listen, if Pascal starts trying to shake my hand every round, I know I got him mentally and now I’ve got to make it happen physically because at the end of the day, we’re fighting. That’s what we do. That’s what changes our lives and my family’s live…to be able to do things for them because we are fighters. So, the referee says, “Shake hands and come out fighting.” He doesn’t say, “Every round shake hands.”
So, when the guy wants to be friends and fight at the same time, everybody else sees it. He submitted early in the fight after the knock down. Something happened and he submitted after that.
Q
You made some comments earlier in this call talking about the accusations that Pascal made concerning what he talked about and charged you with. Do you sort of-I don’t want to say sympathize, but do you have a better understanding of how Manny Pacquiao might have felt when people where talking about what he might or not be doing?
B. Hopkins
I think it’s probably the same. I can say that I hope the other fighters don’t use that as a cop-out to justify what they did or didn’t do the night they fought or the night that they lost. If you win, of course, there’s no room-nobody will make that statement or comment, but I just hope that it doesn’t become a trend for people to punk out of just manning up saying, “Hey, I got a draw and that wasn’t my choice. The judges called it,” and you do it again. That’s fine. I can live with that. You can live with that. But, when the guys start saying, “You cheated, you cheated, you cheated,” with no merit, with no proof, you start thinking…where did you get this?
Q
I’ve been doing some research and one of the things that I found is that you’ve been on the pound-for-pound list for probably 12 years and nobody around has been on that list. I know it’s a subjective list and everybody has their own list, but in doing the research, you’ve been on somebody’s pound per pound list since 1998 or 1999. I mean, they’re not talking about it but how do you feel about that? I mean everybody’s come and gone and you’re still on that list.
B. Hopkins
I feel great about being in that elite group because it took some thought for somebody to analyze all the fighters that are still fighting, maybe not at 40, maybe not in their 30′s, and somehow some had me there and it took some work for me to be there. It took some winning and it took some longevity, but it’s good. I haven’t looked at the pound-for-pound list, to be honest with you in a long time because I think at the end of the day, people have their opinion. On some people’s lists I’m not even there and one of them I believe, is Ring Magazine and that’s probably one of the elite and credible pound-for- pound lists that’s out there now, but, I’m still cool with that. If you stay in the game long enough, there are so many achievements if you are lucky and blessed enough and then you achieve a lot of stuff and you’ll find more and sometimes, you’ll run out.
Like in my case, I hadn’t ran out of finding historic moments to look forward to and one is coming May 21st with the attempt to pass George Foreman’s record. So, it’s an honor to know that our work will still be here and still to be on people’s lists and still be talked about without embarrassing my legacy, embarrassing myself and my family. I really am honored to know that I can still represent in a respectful way.
Q
I would like to know how big is the extra pressure that comes with the fact of trying to beat Foreman’s record.
B. Hopkins
It is very important to me to win the fight first and then let everything else fall in. That’s the first and most important thing that’s on my mind is winning the fight and not the record, because you can’t get the record, if you can’t win the fight. So at the end of the day, I don’t put the cart in front of the horse, I get the horse in front of the cart. Right now, that horse is 12 rounds, if it goes that far, with Pascal in Montreal.
Q
What will be the song that will play when you step into the ring in Montreal? Will it be “My Way”again? And, why?
B. Hopkins
I will be playing one of my traditions that I have been playing for the last six, seven, eight fights and that’s “My Way” by Frank Sinatra. To play that song, there has to be a history behind that person that plays that song.
Q
George spoke of something earlier about the knockout. Is that something that you are definitely going to try to do? Is that part of your fight plan or do you plan to maybe just be in it for the distance?
B. Hopkins
Well, even though I’m a 46-year-old guy in shape, if I can get a guy out of there within one or two rounds, yes, but I mean our coaches always tell us, you don’t go in a fight looking for a knockout because not every punch is a knockout punch. You set these things up and they come as time goes on.
Again, when I go in that ring, I know about being a 20-something year veteran, I know I got a guy hurt. Trust me. I won’t back up and let him survive. I won’t take it easy on him. I won’t just throw punches just to win the round. I want to get the guy out of there. That’s that instinct. You create the knock-out. You make the guy knock himself out by doing things that you want him to do without him knowing it. That’s the seasoned veteran. That comes with time. That comes with education. That comes with experience in the ring and that comes with knowing that knockouts are not forced. Knockouts are created.
Q
On the HBO Face-Off, Jean Pascal claimed you didn’t respect him. Was there anything that he did in the first fight that impressed or even surprised you?
B. Hopkins
At the end of the day, respect is not given. Respect is earned. I’m not going to respect anybody because he signed up and got a license to be a fighter. I’m not going to respect anybody because the only recognizable name he has on his record is Chad Dawson and that happened because of a head butt and they went to the scorecards and he happened to be winning after it looked like he was going to be knocked out.
So, when you say about respect, compared to what I’ve done in the game and what he’s done in the game, he should be paying homage to me. It’s the opposite. He’s not respecting his elder. I am the elder on the block. He’s a young guy that’s on the block and he’s disrespecting the block and I’m telling him to pick the trash up and he’s telling me, “Old man, get in the house and mind your business.” So, I have to come out, take my slippers off, put my teeth in and spank him. That is the respect of the young and the old.
You’ve got to remember this, and anybody that’s past 40 will understand this or older, the old is always threatened by the young. I don’t give a damn if it’s boxing. I don’t care if it’s in your business. We all are victim of that as long as we live to see old or certain age. Sometimes the young win and sometimes the old win, but in my case, May 21st-you will see the old win.
Q
All of us here know that you are the grand master of head games. Have you sensed a crack in Pascal’s mindset during all the media buildup to this fight?
B. Hopkins
I think he showed it himself. I think he’s showed it himself by bringing up something that can cost him a lot of money later on and that’s allegations that totally is from way out north, but just by that in itself, this stuff from the first fight, that completely had me saying, “Wait a minute, this guy, is he serious?” Or is he just that ignorant? Is he just that green?” I’ve been blessed to have been around all kinds of people. I’m around young people all day in the gym, so I understand certain mentalities, but I’m not shocked to a point where I see these things because I understand the different era. I’m in a different era. Even in the streets of Philadelphia, the young are totally different than when I was coming up. It’s a whole new different mindset in today’s world from the boxing world through society. We all know that.
I just take it as the guy that’s really scared to death, but dangerous, but in the same token, because of ignorance, he can be extremely dangerous. So, I do not underestimate him. I do not look at it as an easy fight. I look at it as a scared, young guy who is high on himself and he wants to be great, but he doesn’t want to pay the time.
Q
You were talking about if you win, should you win, which most of us believe you will, you have a three fight deal with HBO and you were going to name, in addition to Chad Dawson, other guys you would like to fight. Is that accurate first of all and then also could you name guys beyond Chad Dawson you would try to fight?
B. Hopkins
Yes, that’s definitely accurate. The winner of Chad Dawson-Adrian Diaconu fight would be a fight that would happen in the fall. Then, I would love to fight, if he is done with his contract over there at Showtime, I’d love to go back to Canada and I’d love to fight Bute and then if there’s another optional fight there, maybe the winner of the Super Six. That would be over by then and I assume the winner of that would be freed up to do something. To me, that will be really representing Archie Moore in a big way.
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
BERNARD HOPKINS SPECIAL INTERNATIONAL MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL
Q
Bernard, I think we all know that you should have already made history, back in December. It was not a good decision. I think most of us know that you won that fight. That said, what would this mean to you to break George’s record? What would it mean to boxing overall?
B. Hopkins
For me, personally, it’s a great achievement to be still doing what I do at a high level and to be able to do it and make history at the same time. Now that I’m here, it’s more appreciated to me to last this long in the game. This is a game where if you get 10 years out of this sport, you’re considered lucky. So, to get two decades and come upon history at least four or five times in my career with the defenses as a middleweight and of course, I beat Tarver to become the only middleweight to become a light heavyweight champion. I mean, you put all this stuff together and then you look at what I’m ready to do now, next Saturday, with the opportunity to surpass George Foreman with 190 days outside of when he beat the Michael Moorer. As Jim Lampley said, “It happened; it happened on HBO.”
I mean, you say Archie Moore, you say Bernard Hopkins. I consider it-and he was one of the greats also that accomplished a great achievement in his forties. So it is surreal that Archie Moore, if you know anything about history, which I believe you do, fought in Montreal, Canada and he fought Durelle in Canada for the championship after getting knocked down once or twice. He came back and won that fight. Archie Moore was victorious.
I get a chance to follow those footsteps. For anybody who’s listening, do your research. You’ll see I’m correct. I’m a veteran. I know how to have patience through the next ten days of [preparation for] combat. So I’m ready. I’m ready mentally; I’m ready physically. I can’t worry about what they did last fight. That’s the past, but it’s the reminder that I’ve been down this road before. I get a chance to-not redeem myself, but I get a chance to make their wrong become my right.
Q
I don’t know if you were listening to George’s comments before you came on to the call, but he talked about that…no judges. You need a knock-out to win the fight. He seemed pretty adamant about the fact that you need to go for the knock-out. Don’t leave it in the judge’s hands. I know you probably knew that was the case last time with what happened in the first fight. What are your thoughts about the possibility that you might need to get the knock-out just to make sure there’s absolutely zero question about what will happen to this fight next Saturday?
B. Hopkins
I would love to go in there and get my knockout. That would stop my drought. The last time I had a knockout was Oscar de la Hoya. I’ve been in a drought for many years, but I’ll take a good beat-down, sort of like a William Joppy type of beat-down. It’d probably be better for Pascal to get knocked out than take a 12-round beating because we know that everybody that fought, well, not everybody, but most of the young fighters that were in the ring with me for more than eight to ten rounds weren’t the same after that. I don’t have to mention any names, we know who they are.
My thing is to execute. If I win every round and fight every round, it’s like you win the fight. You win the fight. Beat this guy up. You just make it seem one-sided. I’m looking to put that type of performance on. The only way to do that is to put the pressure on Pascal. I don’t believe he can fight backing up. I believe that, when you’re going to a target, things can happen. I’m aware of that.
As you said, the last fight when we talked-to let you know I remembered-you said, “Why didn’t you fight like that a long time ago?” I said, “I wouldn’t be here if I did.” I tell you what. You’re going to see, I take that as an honest question because, at the end of the day, I’m at that point now where I’m going to bring on some Philadelphia fight to that town in that ring in Montreal. I’m going to press and I’m going to back him up. I’m going to make him fight and that’s why this fight is going to be one of the best fights that HBO had on World Championship Boxing. I know they’re going to do major ratings because it’s going to be a fight that people are going to talk about between now and then.
After last Saturday, I think the boxing fans deserve a nice knockdown, drag out fight. I’m willing to do my part. That’s all I can say to everybody who’s listening. I know you all heard promises and what people are going to do. I’ve been part of that, but my style is my style, but I promise, that what you all will see next Saturday, like last fight, it’s going to be way out of character. That doesn’t mean I’m not going to be smart, I’m not going to stick to the game plan, but you’re going to see the old Philadelphia Bernard Hopkins, old Philadelphia history from the Benny Driscoll, to Willy “The Worm” [Monroe], the Cyclone of Hearts-and I could go on and on and on. That’s going to be next Saturday. You all are going to enjoy a great, historic fight.
Q
Bernard, I wanted to ask you one thing about your training camp situation. Nazim Richardson, obviously, your trainer has been with Shane Mosley for many weeks, getting him ready for last week’s fight with Pacquiao. I talked to him when I was in Las Vegas. He said he kept in touch with [assistant trainer] Danny [Davis] on the telephone. He paid a visit to the training camp during the course of the camp, but how was it to go through the camp and not have him back until these last two weeks? I mean, was there anything, and he says you’re such a veteran it didn’t make a difference, but what are your thoughts about having Naazim away from most of your training camp?
B. Hopkins
I told Naazim I’m going to give him my cell phone bill because he called me every other day. So, I got a cell phone bill for over five G’s. So, Naazim and I have done this more than one time. Naazim knows, and you know, I run my own ship. I mean, it’s no secret to people that have known me for boxing. You’ve known me over 10 years. I basically run my own thing. I was comfortable with it.
Naazim had an opportunity to fight on that big stage like that. Of course, physically, he can’t go in and fight, but he’s here now. Trust me; if you saw my cell phone bill. I don’t know what Danny’s cell phone bill will look like and I’m not paying for it, but I know that Naazim’s been making sure that I don’t overdo it and making sure, because you know I say I run three miles and I run five. So, it’s been good.
We add a little adjustment here, a little adjustment there. Again, you used the word veteran. I would never put my situation there where I know everything, but I keep it honest with me and my mind and my mental state, but I know how to take orders from a person that I respect because you have to respect him. I’ll be fine. We’ll be fine. Everything was good.
Q
You seem to have developed a pretty healthy dislike for Pascal based on some of the things he said. Is that a real dislike or is that just hype for the fight? Can you talk about that?
B. Hopkins
I said a lot of things about my opponents to get in their head, but I never said an opponent cheated. I never said a person did anything to win a fight, outside of the ring or inside of the ring, but that becomes a part of the game, but it’s just part of a person’s being intimidated or just not knowing what to say. A lot of it had to do with this…you have to say something to justify what you didn’t do, but there are repercussions. I mean, when you’re younger, you say things. Your parents will smack you on your hand or give you a punishment or something like that, but we are accountable for what we say and what we do. Come May 21st, I will take care of the physical part of it and then, I’ll let my people take care of the other part of it.
I don’t have to tell you what that means and I don’t want to get into it, but at the end of the day, I’ve always been a guy that speaks about health awareness and speaks about how if you take care of your body yesterday, you’ll have something tomorrow. You take care of your money now; you’ll have something in the future. It’s the same concept. If you’re a guy that likes to spend, eventually you’re going to be broke.
So, it’s no different than the way I treat my life in the way I act, in the way I think, in the way I deal with my family. It’s the same thing. When things are being questioned about what I have done for all of these years and my credibility and my hard work, there are repercussions beyond that. I’m going to take care of business next Saturday and then we deal with the other stuff later.
Q
How much tougher is it to train for a fight at 46 than it was at 36 or 26?
B. Hopkins
For me, it isn’t tough at all. Just, basically, they have to pull me back. Naazim Richardson continued to call me from [Big Bear and] Vegas. We had an alternate guy that came up with Naazim in his late fifties named Moses who was sort of like Danny’s eyes and ears. He trained also in Philadelphia, but he never got the notoriety because he never had the athlete to take him that far to get it.
I’ve been in good hands with Danny Davis, but the only thing is to have me not overdo what I have loved to do for two decades. I like to train. I like to run. I like to eat the right foods. This is a habit. It’s a good when you’ve got good habits, it makes everybody’s job easier. Of course, sometimes I have aches and pains or I have a lot of rub-in muscle cream in my medicine cabinet, but other than that, 20 years of boxing as a professional since I was nine years old as an amateur, you’re going to have these things as time goes on.
I think 50 percent of me, and that’s not knocking any other fighter; I’m only speaking for myself, is 100 percent in today’s world of athletics. People in any sport; football, basketball, hockey, I don’t care, golf, I think that people look at me; they should think I’m not the norm. I’m glad to say I’m not the norm doing everything right and everything by the book.
The way I took care of my body after leaving the penitentiary twenty-something years ago, it is discipline, never taking anyone lightly, never having an excuse for not being in shape, not being 20, 30 pounds over my weight and I’m fighting light heavyweight and I’m weighing 205 pounds and I have to train to get the weight off and then train for the fight. That’s not me. I’m letting everybody know there’s no secret out there on me. It’s just discipline and sometimes it’s hard for others and sometimes, it’s not. For me, it’s not.
Q
When will you know when it’s time for you to hang it up?
B. Hopkins
When I get beat up.
Q
I wondering if you watched Mosley/Pacquiao this weekend and like to take on Mosley’s performance, a lot of people are busting his chops really hard saying that they don’t think you really fought to win. I’d like your take on it.
B. Hopkins
I think that at the end of the day, he talked a really good game and he fought. I just think that he would have went out as a winner if he just showed effort to win and not touch gloves every round. So everything works for different people and when people see me in the streets of Philadelphia and they see me coming in again and they see me now, they say “You see the fight Bernard? Why did he keep touching gloves every round?” This is a legitimate question, because that’s strange to average people. These aren’t hard-core boxing people. I say, “That’s a sign of submission.”
It’s called body language and I’m not bragging my upbringing. I was sort of like George but I was a guy in the street when I had that mentality. Some would call it a bully. I don’t brag about being that, and I speak against that now, but when I was younger, they’d see me coming up the street, everybody would go into their houses. Part of that body language of submission is to praise the guy. You don’t want that bully that’s around that corner to take your watch or take your chain or take your wallet. So, you want to be friends with him. You want to be nice with him. So, translate that to boxing. Translate that to the match Saturday.
Listen, if Pascal starts trying to shake my hand every round, I know I got him mentally and now I’ve got to make it happen physically because at the end of the day, we’re fighting. That’s what we do. That’s what changes our lives and my family’s live…to be able to do things for them because we are fighters. So, the referee says, “Shake hands and come out fighting.” He doesn’t say, “Every round shake hands.”
So, when the guy wants to be friends and fight at the same time, everybody else sees it. He submitted early in the fight after the knock down. Something happened and he submitted after that.
Q
You made some comments earlier in this call talking about the accusations that Pascal made concerning what he talked about and charged you with. Do you sort of-I don’t want to say sympathize, but do you have a better understanding of how Manny Pacquiao might have felt when people where talking about what he might or not be doing?
B. Hopkins
I think it’s probably the same. I can say that I hope the other fighters don’t use that as a cop-out to justify what they did or didn’t do the night they fought or the night that they lost. If you win, of course, there’s no room-nobody will make that statement or comment, but I just hope that it doesn’t become a trend for people to punk out of just manning up saying, “Hey, I got a draw and that wasn’t my choice. The judges called it,” and you do it again. That’s fine. I can live with that. You can live with that. But, when the guys start saying, “You cheated, you cheated, you cheated,” with no merit, with no proof, you start thinking…where did you get this?
Q
I’ve been doing some research and one of the things that I found is that you’ve been on the pound-for-pound list for probably 12 years and nobody around has been on that list. I know it’s a subjective list and everybody has their own list, but in doing the research, you’ve been on somebody’s pound per pound list since 1998 or 1999. I mean, they’re not talking about it but how do you feel about that? I mean everybody’s come and gone and you’re still on that list.
B. Hopkins
I feel great about being in that elite group because it took some thought for somebody to analyze all the fighters that are still fighting, maybe not at 40, maybe not in their 30′s, and somehow some had me there and it took some work for me to be there. It took some winning and it took some longevity, but it’s good. I haven’t looked at the pound-for-pound list, to be honest with you in a long time because I think at the end of the day, people have their opinion. On some people’s lists I’m not even there and one of them I believe, is Ring Magazine and that’s probably one of the elite and credible pound-for- pound lists that’s out there now, but, I’m still cool with that. If you stay in the game long enough, there are so many achievements if you are lucky and blessed enough and then you achieve a lot of stuff and you’ll find more and sometimes, you’ll run out.
Like in my case, I hadn’t ran out of finding historic moments to look forward to and one is coming May 21st with the attempt to pass George Foreman’s record. So, it’s an honor to know that our work will still be here and still to be on people’s lists and still be talked about without embarrassing my legacy, embarrassing myself and my family. I really am honored to know that I can still represent in a respectful way.
Q
I would like to know how big is the extra pressure that comes with the fact of trying to beat Foreman’s record.
B. Hopkins
It is very important to me to win the fight first and then let everything else fall in. That’s the first and most important thing that’s on my mind is winning the fight and not the record, because you can’t get the record, if you can’t win the fight. So at the end of the day, I don’t put the cart in front of the horse, I get the horse in front of the cart. Right now, that horse is 12 rounds, if it goes that far, with Pascal in Montreal.
Q
What will be the song that will play when you step into the ring in Montreal? Will it be “My Way”again? And, why?
B. Hopkins
I will be playing one of my traditions that I have been playing for the last six, seven, eight fights and that’s “My Way” by Frank Sinatra. To play that song, there has to be a history behind that person that plays that song.
Q
George spoke of something earlier about the knockout. Is that something that you are definitely going to try to do? Is that part of your fight plan or do you plan to maybe just be in it for the distance?
B. Hopkins
Well, even though I’m a 46-year-old guy in shape, if I can get a guy out of there within one or two rounds, yes, but I mean our coaches always tell us, you don’t go in a fight looking for a knockout because not every punch is a knockout punch. You set these things up and they come as time goes on.
Again, when I go in that ring, I know about being a 20-something year veteran, I know I got a guy hurt. Trust me. I won’t back up and let him survive. I won’t take it easy on him. I won’t just throw punches just to win the round. I want to get the guy out of there. That’s that instinct. You create the knock-out. You make the guy knock himself out by doing things that you want him to do without him knowing it. That’s the seasoned veteran. That comes with time. That comes with education. That comes with experience in the ring and that comes with knowing that knockouts are not forced. Knockouts are created.
Q
On the HBO Face-Off, Jean Pascal claimed you didn’t respect him. Was there anything that he did in the first fight that impressed or even surprised you?
B. Hopkins
At the end of the day, respect is not given. Respect is earned. I’m not going to respect anybody because he signed up and got a license to be a fighter. I’m not going to respect anybody because the only recognizable name he has on his record is Chad Dawson and that happened because of a head butt and they went to the scorecards and he happened to be winning after it looked like he was going to be knocked out.
So, when you say about respect, compared to what I’ve done in the game and what he’s done in the game, he should be paying homage to me. It’s the opposite. He’s not respecting his elder. I am the elder on the block. He’s a young guy that’s on the block and he’s disrespecting the block and I’m telling him to pick the trash up and he’s telling me, “Old man, get in the house and mind your business.” So, I have to come out, take my slippers off, put my teeth in and spank him. That is the respect of the young and the old.
You’ve got to remember this, and anybody that’s past 40 will understand this or older, the old is always threatened by the young. I don’t give a damn if it’s boxing. I don’t care if it’s in your business. We all are victim of that as long as we live to see old or certain age. Sometimes the young win and sometimes the old win, but in my case, May 21st-you will see the old win.
Q
All of us here know that you are the grand master of head games. Have you sensed a crack in Pascal’s mindset during all the media buildup to this fight?
B. Hopkins
I think he showed it himself. I think he’s showed it himself by bringing up something that can cost him a lot of money later on and that’s allegations that totally is from way out north, but just by that in itself, this stuff from the first fight, that completely had me saying, “Wait a minute, this guy, is he serious?” Or is he just that ignorant? Is he just that green?” I’ve been blessed to have been around all kinds of people. I’m around young people all day in the gym, so I understand certain mentalities, but I’m not shocked to a point where I see these things because I understand the different era. I’m in a different era. Even in the streets of Philadelphia, the young are totally different than when I was coming up. It’s a whole new different mindset in today’s world from the boxing world through society. We all know that.
I just take it as the guy that’s really scared to death, but dangerous, but in the same token, because of ignorance, he can be extremely dangerous. So, I do not underestimate him. I do not look at it as an easy fight. I look at it as a scared, young guy who is high on himself and he wants to be great, but he doesn’t want to pay the time.
Q
You were talking about if you win, should you win, which most of us believe you will, you have a three fight deal with HBO and you were going to name, in addition to Chad Dawson, other guys you would like to fight. Is that accurate first of all and then also could you name guys beyond Chad Dawson you would try to fight?
B. Hopkins
Yes, that’s definitely accurate. The winner of Chad Dawson-Adrian Diaconu fight would be a fight that would happen in the fall. Then, I would love to fight, if he is done with his contract over there at Showtime, I’d love to go back to Canada and I’d love to fight Bute and then if there’s another optional fight there, maybe the winner of the Super Six. That would be over by then and I assume the winner of that would be freed up to do something. To me, that will be really representing Archie Moore in a big way.
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
Labels:Boxing, Events, Fight Sports, MMA,
BERNARD "The Executioner" HOPKINS,
George Foreman,
Jean Pascal
Welterweight contender Joel "Love Child" Julio takes on tough Antoine Smith when Brick City Boxing Series May 20th
Main Events CEO, Kathy Duva, confirmed a May 20th junior middleweight bout featuring Joel Julio (36-4, 31KOs) vs. Antwone Smith (20-2-1, 12KOs). The fight will be the main event in the next installment of the Main Events Brick City Boxing Series, held in the intimate boxing club environment of Prudential Center's AmeriHealth Pavilion, Newark, New Jersey. The fight will be broadcast on ESPN 2, 9-11pm EST. The fight is promoted by Main Events in association with DiBella Entertainment. Local fighter favorites to be featured on the undercard include: Sadam "World Kid' Ali of Brooklyn, NY; Jose "Mangu" Peralta of Jersey City, NJ; Vinny O'Brien of East Hanover, NJ; and Tyrone Luckey of Middletown, NJ.
"Julio and Smith is a perfect fight to headline the next installment of the Brick City Boxing Series at Prudential's AmeriHealth Pavilion," said Duva."Two extremely popular fighters who are at a crossroads in their careers will meet in a significant bout that might very well determine both of their futures. The winner likely will go on to challenge for the world title in what has become a wide open welterweight division. A great deal is on the line and, as always, the fans can expect another great night of Brick City excitement and entertainment in the ring."
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
"Julio and Smith is a perfect fight to headline the next installment of the Brick City Boxing Series at Prudential's AmeriHealth Pavilion," said Duva."Two extremely popular fighters who are at a crossroads in their careers will meet in a significant bout that might very well determine both of their futures. The winner likely will go on to challenge for the world title in what has become a wide open welterweight division. A great deal is on the line and, as always, the fans can expect another great night of Brick City excitement and entertainment in the ring."
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
Labels:Boxing, Events, Fight Sports, MMA,
Antwone Smith,
Joel Julio,
Kathy Duva,
Sadam "World Kid' Ali,
Tyrone Luckey,
Vinny O'Brien
Friday, May 13, 2011
LIGHTWEIGHT PROSPECTS SHARIF BOGERE, RAY BELTRAN; HEAVYWEIGHTS SETH MITCHELL, EVANS QUINN ON DISPLAY FRIDAY May 13 Live on SHOWTIME, 11:05 p.m
Up-and-coming and unbeaten lightweight prospect Sharif “The Lion” Bogere (19-0, 12 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nev., weighed in at 134 pounds and his opponent “Sugar” Raymundo Beltran (24-4, 16 KOs) of North Hollywood, Calif., at 135 pounds during Thursday’s weigh in from Buffalo Bill’s Star of the Desert Arena in Primm, Nev., just a day before they battle in a 10-round lightweight matchup Friday, May 13, LIVE on ShoBox: the New Generation on SHOWTIME (11:05 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West coast).
In the co-feature, American heavyweight Seth “Mayhem” Mitchell (21-0-1, 15 KOs) of Bradywine, Md., and Nicaraguan Evans “The Sandman” Quinn (20-5-1, 18 KOs) of Bluefields, Nicaragua, had to be separated when the two squared off because Quinn shoved his fist near Mitchell's face. The former Michigan State University linebacker Mitchell, who weighed in at 245 pounds, will take on Quinn, who tipped the scales at 217 pounds, in a 10-round heavyweight affair.
The card is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and is sponsored by Corona and DeWalt Tools. Doors open at 5:30 p.m PT, the first bell rings at 6:30 p.m PT and the ShoBox broadcast begins at 11:05pm ET / PT.
What the fighters had to say on Thursday:
SHARIF BOGERE
"I know Beltran's tough. I know he trains with Manny (Pacquiao). But I don't care. I'm going to take it tomorrow.”
RAY BELTRAN
"Coming in as the opponent feeds my motivation. This is a challenge and it's time to prove what I can do. They take me lightly. Manny people have.
“I've been knocking on doors. A lot of us fighters have been. So I'll show the world that we've been disrespected. I'll show them they are wrong. This is my shot on SHOWTIME, on national TV.”
SETH “MAYHEM” MITCHELL
“I'm focused on business, on taking care of my opponent. But I understand that I need to look good on SHOWTIME.
“(Quinn's) head games will not affect my game plan. It gets me going.
“I am honored to for the title (of best American heavyweight prospect). But I take it in stride. My success thus far hasn't surprised me.”
EVANS “THE SANDMAN” QUINN
"Nicaraguans are fighters. We are warriors. That's why I am the way I am.
“I always keep my game plan. I don't take away that (Mitchell) could be an American hero. He could be whatever he wants to be. I just plan to take away the fight. I will win.”s
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
In the co-feature, American heavyweight Seth “Mayhem” Mitchell (21-0-1, 15 KOs) of Bradywine, Md., and Nicaraguan Evans “The Sandman” Quinn (20-5-1, 18 KOs) of Bluefields, Nicaragua, had to be separated when the two squared off because Quinn shoved his fist near Mitchell's face. The former Michigan State University linebacker Mitchell, who weighed in at 245 pounds, will take on Quinn, who tipped the scales at 217 pounds, in a 10-round heavyweight affair.
The card is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and is sponsored by Corona and DeWalt Tools. Doors open at 5:30 p.m PT, the first bell rings at 6:30 p.m PT and the ShoBox broadcast begins at 11:05pm ET / PT.
What the fighters had to say on Thursday:
SHARIF BOGERE
"I know Beltran's tough. I know he trains with Manny (Pacquiao). But I don't care. I'm going to take it tomorrow.”
RAY BELTRAN
"Coming in as the opponent feeds my motivation. This is a challenge and it's time to prove what I can do. They take me lightly. Manny people have.
“I've been knocking on doors. A lot of us fighters have been. So I'll show the world that we've been disrespected. I'll show them they are wrong. This is my shot on SHOWTIME, on national TV.”
SETH “MAYHEM” MITCHELL
“I'm focused on business, on taking care of my opponent. But I understand that I need to look good on SHOWTIME.
“(Quinn's) head games will not affect my game plan. It gets me going.
“I am honored to for the title (of best American heavyweight prospect). But I take it in stride. My success thus far hasn't surprised me.”
EVANS “THE SANDMAN” QUINN
"Nicaraguans are fighters. We are warriors. That's why I am the way I am.
“I always keep my game plan. I don't take away that (Mitchell) could be an American hero. He could be whatever he wants to be. I just plan to take away the fight. I will win.”s
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
Labels:Boxing, Events, Fight Sports, MMA,
“Sugar” Raymundo Beltran,
Evans “The Sandman” Quinn,
Seth “Mayhem” Mitchell,
Sharif “The Lion” Bogere
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Andre Ward vs. Arthur Abraham: The Super Six Semifinals featuring Ward vs. Abraham fight will air LIVE Saturday May 14th on SHOWTIME® @10 p.m
The Super Six Middleweight Tournament continues this weekend with a featured matchup between 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Andre Ward and the German, hard-punching Arthur Abraham.
Ward (23-0, 13 KO) defeated Mikkel Kessler and Allan Green to earn a spot in the semifinals of the Showtime tournament. Abraham (32-2, 26 KO) rebounded from his two-fight losing streak to Carl Froch and Andre Dirrell to earn a win against an overmatched opponent earlier this year. His knockout win over Jermain Taylor in 2009 is his lone tournament victory.
The winner of this fight will face the winner of June's bout between Carl Froch and Glen Johnson.
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
Ward (23-0, 13 KO) defeated Mikkel Kessler and Allan Green to earn a spot in the semifinals of the Showtime tournament. Abraham (32-2, 26 KO) rebounded from his two-fight losing streak to Carl Froch and Andre Dirrell to earn a win against an overmatched opponent earlier this year. His knockout win over Jermain Taylor in 2009 is his lone tournament victory.
The winner of this fight will face the winner of June's bout between Carl Froch and Glen Johnson.
EL Boxing Empress 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" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
Labels:Boxing, Events, Fight Sports, MMA,
Allan Green,
Andre Ward,
Arthur Abraham,
Mikkel Kessler
Ward vs. Abraham Presser Ward’s Trainer To Abraham: “Your promoters have lost confidence in you.” Abraham To Ward’s Camp: “Talk Doesn’t Matter – I’m
The final press conference for the kickoff of the Semifinals of the Super Six World Boxing Classic turned tense on Wednesday at Arnie Morton’s The Steakhouse in Burbank, Calif., just three days before tournament favorite Andre Ward defends his WBA super middleweight title against former world champion Arthur Abraham, LIVE on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
In a detailed and lengthy speech, Ward’s trainer, Virgil Hunter, told Abraham that his trainer and promoters are displaying a lack of confidence in him to win on Saturday by demanding neutral judges and officials for the Semifinal showdown. Abraham’s promoter responded that they were trying to protect their fighter and claimed that the referee in the Ward-Mikkel Kessler Group Stage 1 bout did not fairly officiate the match.
The Ward-Abraham winner advances to the tournament Final against the winner of the Carl Froch-Glen Johnson Semifinals showdown. The tournament champion earns the inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic Cup and global recognition as the world’s No. 1 168-pound fighter.
The 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist, Ward (23-0, 13 KOs), of Oakland, Calif., has emerged as the tournament favorite after impressive triumphs in Group Stage bouts over Kessler and Allan Green, as well as Sakio Bika.
Abraham (32-2, 26 KOs) entered the Super Six as a favorite alongside Kessler. But after emerging from Group Stage 1 as the points leader with a knockout over Jermain Taylor, he is now trying to bounce back from consecutive tournament losses to Andre Dirrell and Froch in Group Stages 2 and 3, respectively.
ANDRE WARD:
“I’m born and raised here in America and I don’t talk that much. I think everyone in this room understands that. There’s not much else to say. I’ve prepared the way I’m supposed to prepare, the way a champion is supposed to prepare.
“I respect Arthur Abraham, it’s going to be a tough fight. I want to be a great fighter, but I’m not there yet. These are the kind of fights that you have to take and you have to win to be a great fighter.
“I won’t hear the crowd, I won’t hear anybody on Saturday night. I’m locked in. I’m here to defend my belt and to keep my belt right here in America.”
“My first goal is to win and I know winning in this sport takes care of a lot of problems.
“Sugar Ray Leonard came from a totally different time. Fighting on the network that he fought on, having Howard Cosell, it was just a totally different ballgame. Oscar De La Hoya had the Hispanic community and different things like that, so you have to look at those situations because I’m in a different time. It might be a little bit harder to get the exposure and the just due.”
“At the end of the day, the way my father raised me was to put my nose down to the grindstone and keep working and allow God to open those doors in due season. So I’ve never begged for it and I’ve never demanded it. I just have to understand that I have to keep working and it will come. ”
“I appreciate everyone who attends the fights, but it comes down to going home and kissing my wife and kids, keeping my title and moving on with my career. But with that being said, I think I take the risks I’m supposed to take. I think I do what I’m supposed to, but if you get enough people saying one thing, people start to believe it. I think my fight with Kessler was a very entertaining fight but it’s not me taking punishment so people think it’s not entertaining. From a little boy, I was never taught to get the best bout trophy, I was always taught to get the best fighter of the night. That’s the way it is because whoever I am when my career is said and done, nobody’s going home with me.”
“My coach has always taught me from day one, he’s always wanted me to be a master and masters are able to fight into their late 30s and early 40s like Bernard Hopkins and Glen Johnson. I’m just going to continue to naturally evolve and I hope everyone enjoys my fights. But, ultimately, it’s about winning in this sport. “
ARTHUR ABRAHAM:
“I don’t have to speak much. We just want to perform in the ring and we don’t have to do much talking. We’re here to win in the ring.
“Of course my trainer and my promoter respect me. There’s no question of that. In Europe, we don’t talk very much. I’m here to win.
“I have a lot of respect for Andre Ward. He’s a technically sound boxer. But that talk doesn’t matter when we get in the ring on Saturday. I’m here to win and I’m here to destroy him.
“I’m very happy to be part of this tournament. This tournament started well for me and it will end well.
“I had to make some adjustments to my style for moving from middleweight to super middleweight and then we had to make some more after the losses. We have made the necessary adjustments.”
VIRGIL HUNTER, Ward’s Trainer:
“I’ve been appalled as some of the things that have happened to this point. If Andre wasn’t perceived as a threat, I don’t believe we would have ever heard complaints about the referees like we have. Andre Ward still to this point has not gotten the recognition that he deserves.
“Arthur, this is to you: By complaining about the officials, your promoters are saying they have lost confidence in you. Don’t let anyone speak to you about the officials. Your promoters have lost confidence in you. It’s as simple as that.”
JAMES PRINCE, Ward’s Manager:
“We have respect for Arthur Abraham and his accomplishments in boxing, but come Saturday it’s going to get real hot in the ring. You were a great fighter at 160 pounds but I feel like your advisors have tricked you into placing you into a different weight division where you don’t belong. I want to extend my warmest hospitality and welcome you to the States, but that’s where it ends.”
EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.
Photos: Tom Casino / SHOWTIME
EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
In a detailed and lengthy speech, Ward’s trainer, Virgil Hunter, told Abraham that his trainer and promoters are displaying a lack of confidence in him to win on Saturday by demanding neutral judges and officials for the Semifinal showdown. Abraham’s promoter responded that they were trying to protect their fighter and claimed that the referee in the Ward-Mikkel Kessler Group Stage 1 bout did not fairly officiate the match.
The Ward-Abraham winner advances to the tournament Final against the winner of the Carl Froch-Glen Johnson Semifinals showdown. The tournament champion earns the inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic Cup and global recognition as the world’s No. 1 168-pound fighter.
The 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist, Ward (23-0, 13 KOs), of Oakland, Calif., has emerged as the tournament favorite after impressive triumphs in Group Stage bouts over Kessler and Allan Green, as well as Sakio Bika.
Abraham (32-2, 26 KOs) entered the Super Six as a favorite alongside Kessler. But after emerging from Group Stage 1 as the points leader with a knockout over Jermain Taylor, he is now trying to bounce back from consecutive tournament losses to Andre Dirrell and Froch in Group Stages 2 and 3, respectively.
ANDRE WARD:
“I’m born and raised here in America and I don’t talk that much. I think everyone in this room understands that. There’s not much else to say. I’ve prepared the way I’m supposed to prepare, the way a champion is supposed to prepare.
“I respect Arthur Abraham, it’s going to be a tough fight. I want to be a great fighter, but I’m not there yet. These are the kind of fights that you have to take and you have to win to be a great fighter.
“I won’t hear the crowd, I won’t hear anybody on Saturday night. I’m locked in. I’m here to defend my belt and to keep my belt right here in America.”
“My first goal is to win and I know winning in this sport takes care of a lot of problems.
“Sugar Ray Leonard came from a totally different time. Fighting on the network that he fought on, having Howard Cosell, it was just a totally different ballgame. Oscar De La Hoya had the Hispanic community and different things like that, so you have to look at those situations because I’m in a different time. It might be a little bit harder to get the exposure and the just due.”
“At the end of the day, the way my father raised me was to put my nose down to the grindstone and keep working and allow God to open those doors in due season. So I’ve never begged for it and I’ve never demanded it. I just have to understand that I have to keep working and it will come. ”
“I appreciate everyone who attends the fights, but it comes down to going home and kissing my wife and kids, keeping my title and moving on with my career. But with that being said, I think I take the risks I’m supposed to take. I think I do what I’m supposed to, but if you get enough people saying one thing, people start to believe it. I think my fight with Kessler was a very entertaining fight but it’s not me taking punishment so people think it’s not entertaining. From a little boy, I was never taught to get the best bout trophy, I was always taught to get the best fighter of the night. That’s the way it is because whoever I am when my career is said and done, nobody’s going home with me.”
“My coach has always taught me from day one, he’s always wanted me to be a master and masters are able to fight into their late 30s and early 40s like Bernard Hopkins and Glen Johnson. I’m just going to continue to naturally evolve and I hope everyone enjoys my fights. But, ultimately, it’s about winning in this sport. “
ARTHUR ABRAHAM:
“I don’t have to speak much. We just want to perform in the ring and we don’t have to do much talking. We’re here to win in the ring.
“Of course my trainer and my promoter respect me. There’s no question of that. In Europe, we don’t talk very much. I’m here to win.
“I have a lot of respect for Andre Ward. He’s a technically sound boxer. But that talk doesn’t matter when we get in the ring on Saturday. I’m here to win and I’m here to destroy him.
“I’m very happy to be part of this tournament. This tournament started well for me and it will end well.
“I had to make some adjustments to my style for moving from middleweight to super middleweight and then we had to make some more after the losses. We have made the necessary adjustments.”
VIRGIL HUNTER, Ward’s Trainer:
“I’ve been appalled as some of the things that have happened to this point. If Andre wasn’t perceived as a threat, I don’t believe we would have ever heard complaints about the referees like we have. Andre Ward still to this point has not gotten the recognition that he deserves.
“Arthur, this is to you: By complaining about the officials, your promoters are saying they have lost confidence in you. Don’t let anyone speak to you about the officials. Your promoters have lost confidence in you. It’s as simple as that.”
JAMES PRINCE, Ward’s Manager:
“We have respect for Arthur Abraham and his accomplishments in boxing, but come Saturday it’s going to get real hot in the ring. You were a great fighter at 160 pounds but I feel like your advisors have tricked you into placing you into a different weight division where you don’t belong. I want to extend my warmest hospitality and welcome you to the States, but that’s where it ends.”
EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.
Photos: Tom Casino / SHOWTIME
EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
Labels:Boxing, Events, Fight Sports, MMA,
Allan Green,
Andre Dirrell,
Andre Ward,
Arthur Abraham,
Chris Arreola,
Gary Shaw,
Jermain Taylor,
Mikkel Kessler,
Nagy Aguilera
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