Tag Archives: Bernard Hopkins

Bernard Hopkins vs Karo Murat could land in New York on July 27

13 Apr
As featured on NewsNow: Boxing news

Karo Murat (25-1-1, 15ko) has the chance to crown himself as the light heavyweight champion of the world. The IBF mandatory challenger takes on the living legend Bernard Hopkins (53-6-2, 32ko and pictured below) this summer. Only a few more details will have to be sorted out, before this match-up will go ahead.

Credit: Gene Blevins – Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions

Credit: Gene Blevins – Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions

“I was so excited when I first found out about this,” said the 29-year-old Team Sauerland boxer. “We have been testing my punching power on Thursday and the good news gave me some extra motivation, which showed in the results afterwards.”

However, Murat is aware that his next test will be much more difficult. His opponent from Philadelphia wrote boxing history on March 9 when he became the oldest ever world champion at the age of 48 by beating then-titlist Tavoris Cloud. “Hopkins proved that he doesn’t belong to the old guard. I will do everything I can to be in the best shape possible.”

The fight against Hopkins will also be Murat’s first outing on American shores, a prospect he is relishing. “I am really looking forward to it. Fighting in the States will be a very special occasion in my career.” Murat also has a message for the IBF Champion: “I will hurt Hopkins. I have the same attitude as he does. I just don’t train hard, but I train the right way. He is going to feel that.”

Currently, July 27 is a possibility for the clash between the two light heavyweights with New York being the likely destination. Golden Boy Promotions and Sauerland Event will soon announce any new developments.

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Cardiff City fan Nathan Cleverly aiming for ‘Premier League of champions’ Bernard Hopkins

10 Apr
As featured on NewsNow: Boxing news

WBO world light heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly believes a super-fight against new IBF king Bernard Hopkins (pictured) will tie-in with Cardiff City’s promotion to the Premier League. The 25-year-old was excited to read quotes from the American legend saying that he wants to fight him in the UK and sees him as a threat to any of the elite 175lb fighters in the division.

Hopkins after media workout. Credit: Gene Blevins – Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions

B-Hop up for Clev. Credit: Gene Blevins – Hoganphotos/Golden Boy

And Cleverly, a big Bluebirds fans and a schoolboy trialist for the club, is also eagerly anticipating Cardiff City’s return to top-flight football for the first time since 1962.

He makes the fifth defence of his title against mandatory challenger Robin Krasniqi on Saturday, April 20 at Wembley Arena and then has another mandatory defence against Juergen Braehmer, but wants Hopkins straight after.

“Cardiff City are destined for the Premier League, barring any slip ups, and they’ll be facing the elite teams next season. I’ve got to get through Krasniqi and Braehmer first and then I can face my premier league of champions starting with Hopkins,” said Cleverly.

“It’s an exciting time for Welsh sport, Cardiff City entering top-flight and Wales winning the Six-Nations and me doing the business on the world scene defending my title, it can only get better and better.

“It’s great to read what Hopkins has been saying about me, he’s the ultimate warrior and doesn’t shy from any challenge. You saw how he schooled Tavoris Cloud last month to break his own record to become the oldest world champion in history. He wants to fight me so I say lets get it on, it would be an honour to share the ring with him and I’d love the challenge of beating a legend.”

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Tony Bellew to use Roberto Bolonti as stepping stone in pursuit of Chad Dawson

6 Nov

Alan Dawson – London

Light heavyweight contender Tony Bellew hopes to follow in the footsteps of Matchroom Sports stablemate and welterweight campaigner Kell Brook when it comes to guaranteeing himself a mandatory shot at a world title. Bellew, 29, collides with fellow 175lber Roberto Bolonti on Saturday, November 17 and believes a win will act as a springboard to an eventual attempt at claiming the WBC belt, currently held by Chad Dawson.

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Tony aiming for mandatory crack at Chad’s green and gold belt. Credit: Dwight McCann

“I want to put the pressure on someone like Chad Dawson to face me,” Bellew (18-1-0, 12ko) said ahead of his Capital FM Arena test in Nottingham.

Known for his concussive punch power, his ability to adapt in the ring and for giving countryman Nathan Cleverly a competitive battle for the latter’s WBO title last year, Bellew believes his reputation within Britain is working against him abroad as he is now regarded to be “maximum risk/minimum reward”. He added: “I am not a lucrative match for people to face.” As a result, the likeable Liverpudlian believes he has “to force one of these champions” into a fight.

“It might not be a WBC, it might be an IBF challenge to Tavoris Cloud. I don’t know which it is going to be but all I want to do is become a mandatory challenger, very similar to the way Kell Brook has done it.

“Roberto Bolonti is another step in the right direction, it is a WBC eliminator and it is for the Silver title. He is number five with the WBC and this should propel one of us into the top three in my opinion, so I am hoping to get fast tracked to the WBC.”

The light heavyweight landscape is one dominated by the presence of a quartet of North Americans including the returning former Ring Magazine champion Jean Pascal, heavy-hitting Tavoris Cloud and veteran ring king Bernard Hopkins. It is Chad Dawson, though, who Bellew ranks atop the lot.

“I believe Chad Dawson is the best light heavyweight in the world. I know he had the contentious fight with Jean Pascal but I believe he would have stopped Pascal if the fight would have been allowed to carry on, so I think Pascal got really lucky the cut came when it did.

“I do believe that Dawson is the best in the division and aside from him I feel everyone is on a level playing field. Bernard Hopkins, in terms of experience, is up there with Dawson but as an actual fighter I believe Dawson is proven to be the best light heavyweight out there. But I would be happy to fight him.”

If an Anglo-American feud were to develop between Dawson and Bellew, the Englishman would draw confidence from how Bad Chad was defeated by super middleweight lineal champion Andre Ward. He noted: “There is now a blueprint to beat Chad Dawson after what Andre Ward did [knocked him out], so I would be happy to go in there and carry out what Ward did to him.”

Bellew fights Bolonti on the “True Brit” card that is headlined by Carl Froch versus Yusaf Mack.

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Fight Photos: Shumenov defends WBA belt, speaks out on fights with Kessler, Hopkins and Cleverly

5 Jun

Words: Petra Kirsch – Gelsenkirchen

Photos: Emily Harney – KZ Event Productions

Arguably the least heralded of all the light heavyweight world champions, Kazakhstani 28-year-old Beibut Shumenov successfully defended his WBA/IBA titles on Saturday, June 2 by unanimously decisioning challenger Enrique Ornelas (120-108 x3). Shumenov outclassed the Mexican – a former title challenger at super middleweight and ex incumbent of the NABF middleweight belt – before pondering the offers of three high-profile prizefighters.

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Shumenov stuck sterling combination punches onto the frame of Ornelas despite his arm injury

At The Joint in Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, Shumenov completely shut Ornelas out of contention as he collected the ten score in each and every round even though he was encumbered by an arm injury sustained during sparring, ten days prior to fight night. Ornelas refused to give up, but was too slow to cope with Shumenov, who attacked both the head and body throughout, timed uppercuts to perfection and landed right hands on multiple occasions.

Finding a way through Ornelas’ defence became a matter of routine for the reigning world champion

On the victory, that sees his record rise to 13-1-0, 8ko, Shumenov said: “I trained very hard because I knew he [Ornelas] is very tough. His defence was very good. I wasn’t able to show my best because of the arm injury I suffered. I’m happy with the win.” Ornelas, meanwhile, fell to 33-8-0, 21ko as Beibut secured his fourth successful title defence having also triumphed over Danny Santiago, William Joppy and Vyacheslav Uzelkov since claiming the belts off Gabriel Campillo.

Shumenov with the WBA (waist) and IBA (shoulder) belts, if he fights Cleverly, he could have a chance of adding the WBO

Shumenov, having paid his dues as a representative of the WBA, will now look at a trident of lucrative contracts from one future hall-0f-famer, one former super middleweight ruler and one undefeated star in his homeland. Promoter Don Chargrin confirmed: “We have three great offers from [Bernard] Hopkins (52,6-2, 32ko), [Mikkel] Kessler (45-2-0, 34ko) and [Nathan] Cleverly (24-0-0, 11ko).”

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Hopkins and Dawson both agree: At 47, Bernard can carry on executing

1 May

Denzil Stone – Atlantic City

Bernard Hopkins suffered a career setback at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City last weekend, his sixth in total as a professional, as he dropped a decision to the younger, taller and faster Chad Dawson, losing his WBC light heavyweight world championship as a result. However, that has not deterred the legendary Philadelphian from continuing his quest to further enhance his pugilistic legacy and ward off father time; a notion backed by the current incumbent Bad Chad.

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Bad Chad did good as Dawson did his talking in and out the ring. Credit: Hogan Photos/Golden Boy

Hopkins lost by two scores of 117-111 (an accepted points split according to consensus) with one judge seeing a 114-114 tie. As has become typical with a Hopkins performance, Bernard attempted to snuff out any rhythm his opponent attempted to build up and, even though against Dawson this tactic proved relatively successful, Hopkins – the self-styled Old Mongoose – was just too conservative in his own punch output to warrant a greater slice of point pie, especially when compared to the more active Chad.

“I fought hard Saturday night and feel the fight was closer than two of the scores reflected,” Hopkins (52-6-2, 32ko) said, on reflection of the majority decision loss.

Dawson, who now holds the WBC title (his third full championship at 175lbs), now has a number of match-ups available to him including a rematch with Jean Pascal in order to avenge his sole pro defeat, together with an all-American pound-for-pound tussle with super middleweight supremo Andre Ward.

The other belt holders at light heavyweight include Tavoris Cloud who makes a defence of his IBF title in August against Pascal, Beibut Shumenov who champions the WBA belt and is without an opponent and undefeated Welshman Nathan Cleverly, the WBO world titlist.

“Regardless of the result, I will continue my career and challenge any champion in my division,” Hopkins continued. “I might be older, but I don’t feel a decline in my skills or abilities in the ring. I love to fight and am still competing at a level where boxing cannot deny me the opportunity to succeed.”

Dawson concluded that the three other alphabet rulers better watch out: “He can still beat anyone else in our division.”

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Bernard Hopkins taking a vow of silence when it comes to trash-talking Chad Dawson

16 Mar

Denzil Stone – Atlantic City

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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26 Years: The Dewey Bozella Story to premiere on ESPN on Wednesday

14 Mar

On The Beak – Admin

Dewey Bozella’s life changed forever when he was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for a murder he did not commit. Throughout his 26 years behind bars, Bozella found strength and purpose through boxing, becoming the light heavyweight champion of Sing Sing Prison, and made it a goal to be proven innocent and box professionally once he was released. ESPN Films chronicles Bozella’s journey from prison cell to professional boxer in 26 Years: The Dewey Bozella Story premiering on Thursday, March 15, at 8:30pm ET on ESPN.

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The Dewey Bozella story will air on Wednesday evening on ESPN

Unyielding in his innocence, Bozella never gave up fighting – both in and out of the ring. He was offered more than four separate chances for an early release if he would only admit guilt and show remorse, but Bozella consistently refused to accept freedom under such conditions.

After a law firm took on his case and uncovered new evidence that exonerated him, Bozella was released and returned to boxing as a volunteer trainer to kids and aspiring fighters. When Bozella was honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at The 2011 ESPYs in July, he caught the attention of light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins and boxing great Oscar De La Hoya who then helped make his dream to fight one professional fight as a free man come true.

Directed by award winning producer/director Jose Morales, 26 Years: The Dewey Bozella Story follows Bozella on his quest to earn a professional boxing license at age 52, and sheds light on a man who never gave up fighting for his freedom. The film is narrated by Oscar-nominated actor Laurence Fishburne and includes interviews from Oscar De La Hoya, Bernard Hopkins, and Bozella’s wife Trena and attorneys.

Key Quotes

Dewey on why he continued to box after being released from prison: “I didn’t want to fight amateur. What I really liked to know was what it feels like to be a pro. And I believed that it was something that I needed to find out for myself.”

Oscar De La Hoya before Dewey’s second attempt at passing his boxing license: “I don’t wish for the commission to look at his speed and his punching power. I want them to focus directly on his heart and think about what he has accomplished, what he has gone through to be right here today. Doesn’t get any tougher than that.”

Dewey on how he felt going into his first professional fight: “Bring it. You can’t hurt me no more than I’ve already been hurt. Black eye, busted lip, busted nose, broken rib… you can’t hurt me no more. You can’t. I’ve been knocked down so many times I had no choice but to get back up or lay down and die.

“And I ain’t ready for that yet, so I’m going to fight.”

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WBO light heavyweight king Nathan Cleverly could headline the Royal Albert Hall in April

28 Feb

On The Beak – Admin

Promoter Frank Warren has stated that Nathan Cleverly could defend his WBO world light heavyweight title for the fourth time as boxing returns to London’s legendary Royal Albert Hall on April 28. It would be the first time boxing has been held at the venue this century… the last bout there was between Julius Francis and Danny Williams for the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles in 1999.

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The 5,000 capacity hall, a stunningly sumptuous structure, has been bereft of boxing of late. Credit: David Samuel

Speaking at the post fight press conference following Cleverly’s shut-out victory over Tommy Karpency on his homecoming to Wales, Warren believes that Cleverly (24-0-0, 11ko) is the best man to take boxing back to the Royal Albert Hall.

He said: “There has been no professional boxing there for many, many years, it is probably the best venue in the country, the most prestigious venue. You could not get a better name and a better representative for British boxing than Nathan, to showcase professional boxing back there but we’ll sort that out in one or two days.”

He added: “I don’t know if Nathan will be ready for that but I would not mind him being the guy to take boxing back there.”

If Cleverly were to fight on April 28, it would coincide with Bernard Hopkins’ rematch with Chad Dawson in defence of his WBC world light heavyweight title and Warren hinted of a more direct link between Cleverly and the big name Americans.

“Nathan is coming on in leaps and bounds and all our attention will now of course turn to April 28 and the Bernard Hopkins versus Chad Dawson fight, then we will be making a big decision about a fight in the summer.

“Nathan needs big fights, he rises to them and he has a fabulous temperament.”

On being asked about the possibility, Cleverly seemed keen to stay busy. He said: “I’ll be fine for April, I’ll be good. I can keep active and it won’t hurt as well, a few more fights as world champion to gain experience as world champion is good.”

Although no opponent is certain, Cleverly knows what he wants: “It’s important that as world champion we get good quality fights, a world ranked opponent to keep my progression going as world champion ready for the step up to the unification fights.”

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Hopkins ‘thrilled’ as CSAC over-rule Dawson’s win, Oct 15 bout is a no contest

14 Dec

Denzil Stone – Atlantic City

Reigning WBC light heavyweight world champion Bernard Hopkins kept ahold of his belt following a controversial second round technical knockout loss to challenger Chad Dawson on October 15 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on October 15 and now, three months later, has witnessed his TKO turn to a No Contest as the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) overturned the decision. The Philadelphian is “thrilled” with the news.

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Hopkins after media workout. Credit: Gene Blevins – Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions

“Justice was served today,” commented B-Hop, boxing’s oldest world champion; a status that was maintained by the WBC despite the ‘official’ nature of Dawson’s win spanning a bizarre two months. “I am thrilled that the California State Athletic Commission did the right thing and removed that loss from my record. Mistakes happen, but what you do to fix those mistakes is what counts.”

He continued: “The footage of the fight that was reviewed over and over again, proved to be the key testimony.

“I think it came down to the tape. Both of our sides were making good points, but it was a dinner without a turkey. The tape was the turkey. I am happy this ordeal is over. Now I can focus on continuing to rehab my shoulder and get ready to fight again, hopefully early next year. I will start my usual boxing routine in a couple of weeks and get ready to defend my titles again.”

Richard Schaefer, the CEO for Golden Boy Promotions and Hopkins’ representative, added: “I’m very pleased that the CSAC did the right thing and ruled that the result of Hopkins-Dawson was a no decision rather than a TKO loss for Hopkins.

“As the old saying goes, ‘there’s a reason that pencils have erasers’ and I commend the Commission for having the courage to correct an error which wrongfully put a blemish on Bernard Hopkins’ record. We now look forward to making Bernard’s next history-making fight.”

Hopkins’ record returns to 52-5-2, 34ko with, crucially, no knockout defeats out of his five losses (all by way of decision). Chad Dawson, meanwhile, drops back to 30-1-0, 17ko.

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Fonfara is speculated opponent for Cleverly’s Cardiff homecoming on Feb 25

13 Dec

Tommy Barber – London

Nathan Cleverly will make the third defence of his WBO light heavyweight belt at the 5,500 capacity Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff on Saturday, February 25. His likely opponent, WBO NABO champion at 175lbs; Andrzej Fonfara (ranked ninth with the organisation), will be taking the greatest step-up in terms of opponent quality yet, despite his inexperience against elite-level fighters, has shown relative promise whilst boxing in the United States.

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Fonfara with his dukes up. Credit: Leyla A

The bout will be Clev’s first in his native Wales as a world champion. The Cefn Fforest fighter won the title via email in May. He was due to box Juergen Braehmer, however, the German – who had been guilty of late withdrawals in previous contests – pulled out of a May 21 date to defend his honour against Cleverly and so the WBO stripped Braehmer and awarded the belt to the 24-year-old.

Cleverly (23-0-0, 11ko) boxed on May 21 without Braehmer as Aleksy Kuziemski was drafted in as a late replacement by promoter Frank Warren, of Sports Network, but Kuziemski – a Polish boxer, like Fonfara – succumbed to a fourth round stoppage. Five months later, in October, Cleverly made his second defence when he entered his enemy’s territory to engage in a domestic fight of the year nominee – Tony Bellew, prevailing by way of majority decision.

Speaking of his excitement at boxing in front of his home fans, Cleverly said, as quoted by the BBC: “It will be great to fight on home turf again and I’m really looking forward to it. It will be a special feeling having a homecoming as a world champion – I’m going to relish that.

“I need to step up progressively to fight the big names, I’m only 24 so I’ve got time on my side.”

One of those names could be Beibut Shumenov, a champion with the WBA. The two have been highly-speculated to be fighting in 2012, both fighters have openly expressed their enthusiasm for the unification fight and their promoters engaged in preliminary talks. Cleverly, also, has made no secret of his desire to test his skill-set against current WBC titlist Bernard Hopkins or IBF belt holder Tavoris Cloud who, like Cleverly, continues to protect an undefeated record.

Fonfara (19-2-0, 10ko), meanwhile, first has to dispose of weekend opponent Phil Williams in his adopted fighting home of Chicago, in the UIC Pavilion on Friday, if he is to get a chance at sealing a subsequent fight with Cleverly.

Cleverly continued: “Hopefully I’ll get to the big unification fights towards the end of 2012 against the likes of Hopkins and Dawson, that’s my goal – they are massive names in the division.”

Edit: ESPN UK, Sky Sports and BBC announced the fight earlier today, December 13, yet no official word came from Fonfara’s representatives; 8 Count Productions. Reports have since been altered.

Related article: If Hopkins spars in January it proves to me his injury is a fake job – Iceman Scully

Related article: Shumenov encouraged by Cleverly unification media reports

Related article: Shumenov: No contact from neither Cleverly nor Warren regarding unification

Related article: Consultation with Calzaghe leaves Cleverly confident he can de-crown Hopkins in Cardiff

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