World Light Heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins receives a life size Wax statue for his Birthday plus a “B Hop” Interview

At the WBC Convention in Las Vegas, the sanctioning body ordered a rematch of the October 15th Light Heavyweight title fight that saw Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson fight to a no-contest after Hopkins hurt his shoulder in the second round.

Gary Shaw, Dawson’s promoter, was pleased with the WBC’s decision.

“I think justice has been served,” he said. “When Hopkins had a draw with Pascal, the WBC gave him an immediate rematch. And now they have done the same thing for Dawson after the controversy.”

“Let’s get the ball rolling,” Hopkins, who turns 47 next month, told ESPN.com after leaving the convention. “The fans got cheated because of circumstances in the first fight. Now they get an opportunity to get their money’s worth. It’s been a really interesting 48 hours. Things are different now because of that (order). Let’s get it on. The bottom line is a champion defends his belt. That’s what champions do. I believe I am the best at light heavyweight. So my whole thing is champions defend, they don’t get stripped, they don’t throw belts away. I’ve done it for 20 years and I ain’t changing my stripes today.”

“Whatever is best economically without having my belt stripped then I’m fine with that,” he said. “I duck no one. I never did. But if the fans and the people and the networks believe that Chad Dawson don’t draw bees to honey — and this is a business — then that is what it is. I’ve earned this championship belt and I am not ready to leave.”

“My record speaks for itself. I’m normally victorious the second time round,” he said.

“I think that there is no interest in this fight,” he said. “As long as the fighters know that, and they are OK with whatever money there is, then why would I want to stop that fight from happening? I really just want to do fights the public would want to see and where I know going into the fight that it will be entertaining. I just don’t think that these two styles mesh.”

The WBC also ordered Middleweight champion Julio cesar Chavez Jr. to defend against Sergio Martinez

“Chavez has to fight Martinez next unless we make a deal,” said Martinez promoter Lou DiBella said. “But we have leverage. So we’ll talk to (Top Rank’s Bob) Arum and to HBO and see what we can work out.”

LOS ANGELES (December 13) – The holidays came early today for Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins when the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) overturned the decision that dealt the oldest champion in boxing history a controversial technical knockout loss to “Bad” Chad Dawson on October 15 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. The outcome of the hearing, which took place at the CSAC’s regularly scheduled meeting, changed the TKO loss to a no decision on Hopkins’ record, leaving no doubt that he is still the light heavyweight world champion.

“Justice was served today,” Hopkins said. “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.”

“I’m very pleased that the California State Athletic Commission did the right thing and ruled that the result of Hopkins-Dawson was a no decision rather than a TKO loss for Hopkins,” said Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer. “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.”

“The footage of the fight that was reviewed over and over again, proved to be the key testimony,” said Hopkins. “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.”

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that the WBC has overturned the decision of last Saturday night;s controversial Light Heavyweight championship where Chad Dawson shoved Bernard Hopkins to the canvas and the bout was ruled a stoppage win for contest. The Mexico based sanctioning body ruled on Thursday that the bout should never have been ruled in Dawson’s favor and the title was returned to the forty-six year old legend.

“I feel very happy. I feel that justice was done,” Hopkins told ESPN.com.

“I’m disappointed that the WBC saw fit to call it a technical draw,” Gary Shaw, Dawson’s promoter, told ESPN.com. “I’m sure, as sure as I can be, is that the WBC will put Chad as the No. 1 mandatory again. I don’t think it was the right decision. We believe Hopkins committed the first foul by going on Chad’s back. Chad did what anyone would do and tried to get him off his back. I accept their ruling but I don’t agree with it.”

“I said all along that Bernard Hopkins did not lose that fight, there is no question about it,” said Golden Boy’s Richard Schaefer, Hopkins’ promoter. “I am happy that Bernard continues to be the light heavyweight champion of the world.”

“The head offices of the WBC sent videos, medical reports and the WBC corresponding rules to the Board of Governors, that unanimously declared a technical draw on the fight. Therefore, Bernard Hopkins is still the WBC light heavyweight champion of the world,” WBC president Jose Sulaiman wrote in the ruling.

“I’d like to thank Mr. Sulaiman and the board for looking at the tape and just for taking the time to look at the tape,” Hopkins said. “They came up with what I think is the right decision. Like me or hate me, I think most people will think it’s the right decision that they made.

“I’m a little surprised it was this soon and now I am hoping the commission in California can (have a hearing) sooner than Dec. 13. But if not, I can wait. I’m normally on the end of bad decisions, like in the Joe Calzaghe fight or the Jermain Taylor fights. It feels good to be on the right end of a decision.”

“The WBC respects and cannot intervene in the decisions of the boxing commissions where the fights happen, but it does intervene in regards of the recognition of a WBC title,” Sulaiman wrote. “We hope that the California commission will review our ruling on their next meeting in December.”

Bernard Hopkins has been released from the California Hospital Medical Center in Los Angeles after being x-rayed and examined by Dr. Sam Thurber, MD who diagnosed Hopkins with a separation of the acromioclavicular (A-C) joint which connects the collar bone and shoulder blade.

Follow all the action LIVE!! from Staples Center as Bernard Hopkins defends the undisputed Light Heavyweight championship of the world when he takes on top contender Chad Dawson. The card will begin at 9pm eastern/ 6 pm Pacific with a three fight undercard featuring Lightweight Jorge Linares and Antonio DeMarco; Jr. Welterweight Danny Garcia and Kendall Holt and the action starts off with Paulie Malignaggi taking on Orlando Lora

12 Rounds–Undisputed Light Heavyweight Title–Bernard Hopkins (52-5-1, 32 KO’s) vs Chad Dawson (30-1-1, 17 KO’s)

Round 1 Lead right from Hopkins..Dawson lands a combination…Dawson 10-9

Round 2 TARVER THROWS HOPKINS DOWN TO THE CANVAS…THE FIGHT IS RULED OVER AND SOME HOW THE FIGHT IS GIVEN TO DAWSON VIA KO 2

12 rounds WBC Lightweight Title—Antonio DeMarco (25-2-1, 18 KO’s) vs Jorge Linares (30-1, 20 KO’s)

Round 1 Linares lands a right hand/left hook…10-9 Linares

Round 2 20-19 Linares

Round 3 Linares lands a right…left…combination…30-28 Linares

Round 4 Good combination from Linares…40-37 Linares

Round 5 3 punch combination from Linares…Hard right….50-47 Linares

Round 6 Hard right from DeMarco…hard right from Linares…DeMarco landing some hard shots…Linares bleeding from the nose…2 body shots from Linares…uppercut from DeMarco...59-57 Linares

Round 7 DeMarco sees the blood and is pushing the action more…68-67 Linares

Round 8 Linares landing combinations and moving…Linares cut over right eye…Hard right from Linares….78-76 Linares

Round 9 Linares lands combinations…DeMarco trying to be aggressive..triple left hook from Linares…88-85 Linares

Round 10 Linares landing aZnd moving…98-94 Linares

Round 11 DeMarco battering a bloody Linares all over the ring LANDING SOME FLUSH SHOTS…LINARES IN SERIOUS TROUBLE AND THE FIGHT IS STOPPED

WINNER BY TKO ROUND 11–ANTONIO DEMARCO

12 ROUNDS–JR. WELTERWEIGHTS–KENDALL HOLT (52-5-2, 32 KO’S)VS. DANNY GARCIA (21-0, 14 KO’S)

ROUND 1 Hold lands a nice right hand…10-9 Holt

Round 2 Hard right by Holt...19-19

Round 3: Garcia lands a hard right…body work…jab…hard body shots29-28 Garcia

Round 4 Garcia lands a left hook…39-37 Garcia

Round 5 Holt lands a left…48-47 Garcia

Round 6 Holt lands a right…Big left from Garcia..Body shot and a combination..Left from Holt…58-56 Garcia

Round 7 Holt’s left eye starting to swell…68-65 Garcia

Round 8 Holt lands a left hook…Garcia lands a good combination…Mayweather lands a combination of the break…78-74 Garcia

Round 9 Hard left from Holt…good body shot and left hook…Hard right from Garcia…87-84 Garcia

Round 10 good right from Garcia…Quick left hook and a right…97-93 Garcia

Round 11 Holt lands a right…looping right from Garcia…Hard combination…107-102 Garcia

Round 12 Holt lands a right…Left hook …116-112 Holt

115-113 Holt…117-111 Garcia…117-111 Garcia

10 ROUNDS–WELTERWEIGHTS–PAULIE MALIGNAGGI (29-4, 6 KO’S) VS ORLANDO LORA (28-1-1, 19 KO’S)

ROUND 1 Lora lands a hard right that has Malignaggi holding on…Malignaggi lands a jab to the body and combination…10-9 Malignaggi

Round 2 Malignaggi boxing well..triple left hook…Lora 2 body shots….20-18 Malignaggi

Round 3 Maliganggi lands a 3 punch combination…30-27 Malignaggi

Round 4 40-37

Round 5 Lora cut over the left eye…Malignaggi lands a right…Lora lands a right…Malignaggi lands a body shot…50-46 Malignaggi

Round 6 Malignaggi lands an over hand right…60-55 Malignaggi

Round 7 Malignaggi being agressive landing combinations…70-64

Round 8 More of the same with Paulie getting off and landing…80-73

Round 9 Maliganggi lands a good right…90-82

Round 10 Good exchange with Malignaggi;s speed being the difference….100-91 Maliganggi

100-90; 98-92; 99-91 MALIGNAGGI

LOS ANGELES – Bernard Hopkins kept it light. He also kept his sunglasses on. Then again, it was Hollywood and he is the designated star for his fight Saturday night against Chad Dawson at Staples Center, just a few freeway miles from the scales Friday at Ripley’s Believe It or Not.

Hopkins, always more Captain Defiance than Father Time, was at 173.4 pounds, nearly two pounds under the light-heavyweight limit. Middle-aged men are supposed to struggle with their weight. But 46-year-old Hopkins doesn’t. He has only the age and none of the middle so common to most in his generation.

Dawson (30-1, 17 KOs) has fewer years and nearly one more pound than Hopkins (52-5-2, 32 KOs). Dawson, who is 17 years younger than Hopkins, tipped the scale at 174.2 pounds. Will it matter after opening bell? Probably not. But it was good theater on a warm afternoon at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, where a Hopkins has been memorialized in wax.

Waxed, of course, is what each intends to do to the other in a bout for the World Boxing Council title that Hopkins won in rematch victory over Jean Pascal in May. Differing style have generated some worry that the HBO-televised fight could be deadly dull. Hopkins’ best chance is believed to be on the inside against the swift Dawson, who swift feet and boxing tactics could keep him on the perimeter.

“I want you to bring the best out of me,” Hopkins said to Dawson Wednesday at the formal news conference. “I am challenging Chad Dawson to try to knock me out. I want to see the best Chad Dawson.’’

The Dawson who Hopkins wants to see, however, might not be the smartest Dawson, whose youthful energy and proven endurance might be his best weapon over the scheduled 12 rounds. But the calculating Hopkins has talked other opponents into a lot of traps over the many years. Dawson doesn’t say much, so it’s hard to know if any of Hopkins words are about draw him into another one.

“I just want prove I’m the best light-heavyweight in the world,’’ Dawson said. “It was Bernard Hopkins. But now it will be me.’’

Undercard weights

Antonio DeMarco 134.4 pounds versus Jorge Linares at 134.6 for the WBC’s vacant lightweight title.

Kendall Holt 139.4 pounds versus Danny Garcia 139.4 in a junior-welterweight eliminator for the WBC/International Boxing Federation titles.

Paulie Malignaggi 147.4 pounds versus Orlando Lora 147.5 in a welterweight bout.
Dewey Bozella 190.6 pounds versus Larry Hopkins 192.5 in a cruiserweight bout.

It’s hard to know what to expect from Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson. Don’t blame Hopkins for that. After 23 years, we know Hopkins, mostly because he knows himself. He’s comfortable with what and who he has become. But the book on Dawson is an unfinished manuscript, an unresolved mystery. Who is he?

Nobody seems to know, perhaps because he doesn’t.

Dawson has gone through trainers the way Hollywood celebrities go through shrinks. From John Scully, to Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, to Floyd Mayweather Sr., back to Mustafa Muhammad, to Emanuel Steward, and now back to Scully. Only Dr. Phil hasn’t been in the mix.

The confusing map includes many moves, yet no apparent destination. Dawson seems to be searching for an identity more than a trainer.

“Scully is going to make a difference,’’ Dawson said at his media workout in Los Angeles. “The last two or three fights, I haven’t truly been myself.

Maybe, just maybe, Dawson (30-1, 17 KOs) is back at the beginning of what and who he was. If so, yeah, he can spring an upset of Hopkins (52-5-2, 32 KOs), the World Boxing Council’s light-heavyweight champion, Saturday night in an HBO televised bout at Los Angeles’ Staples Center. Everything else adds up to a measurable chance for him. Dawson is 17-years younger than the 46-year-old Hopkins. His hands are fast. His feet are quick. The fight’s promotional label, Believe It Or Not, could take on new meaning. Believe It Or Not, Dawson could win.

But there’s still that uncertainty about whether he has figured out how to truly be himself. Ordinarily, that might not be much of a factor. Dawson’s superior skill set would prevail, has prevailed against everybody but Jean Pascal. But against Hopkins, it matters. Hopkins is the oldest in history to win a major title because of a keen, predatory eye. It’s what allows him to survive against a younger generation with physical skills, but none of his smarts. If at any moment Hopkins senses doubt in Dawson, the fight will belong to the old man.

In a conference call a few weeks ago, Dawson made a startling admission, which in part was his way of trying to explain away his loss to Pascal, whom Hopkins beat in a rematch in his last outing.

“I became a bored fighter,’’ Dawson said. “I got bored.’’

Hopkins has said a lot of things, but he’s never said he was bored. The day he does, I suspect, is the day he’ll announce his retirement. A bored fighter is about to become an ex-fighter, or at least someone who is thinking about doing something else. In the later rounds, I’m guessing Dawson will wish that he was.

Hopkins by unanimous decision.

Moving on up
Nonito Donaire (26-1, 18 KOs) will be at bantamweight for the last on Oct. 22 at New York’s Madison Square Garden against Omar Narvaez (35-0-2, 19 KOs) of Argentina in the first defense of the titles he took from Fernando Montiel last February with a sensational second-round knockout.

“Definitely, this will be my last fight at 118,’’ Donaire said Thursday during a conference call. “122 is something we’re looking forward to.’’

AZ Notes
· Phoenix super-middleweight Jesus Gonzales is waiting to hear if Kelly Pavlik has any interest in a tune-up against him. Gonzales has been saying for months that he wants a shot at Pavlik, who is anxious for a comeback after he abruptly withdrew from a Top Rank card a couple of months ago. Gonzales hopes to hear from Pavlik by Oct. 22.

· Arizona promoter Michelle Rosado continues to re-ignite a dormant market with a card on Oct. 21 at the Madison Event Center in downtown Phoenix. Hometown super-bantamweight Emilio Colon-Garcia (3-0-1) is scheduled for the main event. First bell is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

BERNARD HOPKINS, WBC & Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight World Champion

“I would like to say it is good to be back in Los Angeles. I made history here years back with Howard Eastman in the middleweight division with my 20th title defense. I am excited to be back making history.

“I didn’t know Dewey Bozella from a can of paint, but I heard his story and then I did my own research. I saw this wasn’t a charity case.

“Dewey and I understand what that dark place means. Whether you committed the crime or you have been accused of something you didn’t do. The place is still going to be the same when you get there.

“That is where I go when I get ready for war. You try to figure out what my secret is. I systematically calculate and go back to a place that is very dark. I go back to that place without putting myself in a position where I won’t lose my freedom.

“If Chad Dawson brings everything that Gary Shaw said he would bring to the table, and I bring everything that I have been known to bring to the table, everyone that buys pay-per-view will get their money’s worth.

“My goal is to be fighter of the year. My goal is to make history again. There aren’t athletes in any sport four years from 50 that can do this.

“[To Dawson] You have Winky. Fine. But I don’t understand why you hire a guy to help you take you driver’s test when he failed his.

“I want you [to Dawson] to bring the best out of me.

“I am challenging Chad Dawson to try to knock me out. I want to see the best Chad Dawson.

“I just need Chad Dawson to bring his half. I am going to bring my half. Then you have a party. You have a fight.”

“Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, but at the end you all win, the customers win.

“Right now I am begging this guy to do everything he said he was going to do because guess who wins? Boxing.

“My birth certificate is what it is. Stop putting me in a category with the average 40 and up person. Gary Shaw is only a few years older than me. Look at him and look at me!

“You all have seen me. You know what I can do…push ups and all.” [In reference to the puch-ups he did between rounds in his last fight against Jean Pascal.]

“Saturday, October 15, you are going to have to rewrite history. This is going to be a show that you are going to have to say to yourself, ‘We thought we had seen it all.’

CHAD DAWSON, Former Light Heavyweight World Champion

“I am excited to be here. This is what I have been waiting for my whole career. I am ready to fight against a great champion.

“Hopkins has done a lot for the sport of boxing. I truly believe that.

“I am looking forward to coming out and showing everyone that I am the best light heavyweight in the world. It was Bernard Hopkins, but now it is going to be me.

“It has been a great camp. I have been here for almost two weeks. I’m comfortable. This has been the best camp I have had in the last two or three years.

“On Saturday night I am going to be the new champion of the world…believe it!”

ANTONIO DEMARCO, WBC #1 Rated Lightweight Contender

“I am excited to be here. I have chills. I am very excited. I feel like crying. I’m ready.

“I just want to say, I am a dreamer. Everything that you have in mind you can achieve. It has not been easy to get a second shot [at a world title] and I won’t miss out on this opportunity.

“I want to thank the people in Tijuana for giving me a plate of food when I didn’t have any and now I am here.

“I ultimately want to be like Bernard Hopkins.”

JORGE LINARES, Former Two-Division World Champion

“I want to thank everyone for being here. I want to thank my two new trainers Alex Ariza and Freddie Roach.

“There are only a couple of days to go. It has been a great camp. I sparred a total of 30 rounds against Manny Pacqiuao. We helped each other. I want to thank him as well. It is going to be a great fight.”

KENDALL HOLT, Former World Champion

“His [Danny Garcia’s] father has all of this energy, but talk is cheap. He is saying that he is going to prove this and that. He is not the one that is going to be hit by this right hand and by my left hook.

“Who has he [Danny Garcia] knocked out? You cover the fights and you read the articles. Name one person that we are going to talk about one day that he has knocked out.

“It doesn’t matter how many knockouts you have, it is who you have knocked out.

“After this fight, he is going to have to beg for another chance.

“I am going to do my thing. [I will show my] blazing speed and hard power.

“Garcia has never been hit by someone like me. He has never been in there with someone as experienced as me.”

DANNY GARCIA, Top Undefeated Junior Welterweight Contender

“We had a tremendous camp. We worked hard. We took it to the next level.

“I am ready to fight the best. Kendall Holt is one of the best. That is why I am in this business; to compete against the best.

“I am ready and I will be a winner on Saturday night.”

PAULIE MALIGNAGGI, Former World Champion

“For my fight, the points are going to the Golden Boy side. This is one for our side.

“When Oscar [de la Hoya] was reading all of my opponents, I was starting to feel old. I have been in there with a lot of great fighters.

“Come Saturday, night I am going to put on a show. I am going to put on a great performance with the backing of the strong team.

“This has been a great year and next year will be even bigger.”

ORLANDO LORA, Welterweight Contender

“I want to invite the fans to come and see a great fight.

“I have been through some adversity. Right now, I am here to show that I belong on this level and you will see what I have on Saturday night.”

DEWEY BOZELLA, 2011 ESPN Arthur Ashe Courage Award Recipient Making Pro Debut

“I want everyone to know that this wasn’t handed to me. I am here to win. I have been through ups and downs.

“I know what it is like to be locked up, and I like freedom better.

“People think this is an easy sport. For Bernard Hopkins to be at the level he is at today is amazing. When I got to camp, I was so far off. I only had about 20 percent of what I have now.

“To everyone on this dais, you’re a champion no matter what happens because you have dedicated your life to this sport. I am proud of ever single one of you.

“I am not a charity case. I am here because I had to earn it. Boxing is about responsibility and discipline and that is what kept me going.

“Now I have the opportunity to fight on the Bernard Hopkins vs. Chad Dawson undercard and I am going to give one zillion percent of what I have. I want to show everyone that I am not busted (takes shirt off).”

NAAZIM RICHARDSON, Hopkins’ trainer

“What do you say about Bernard Hopkins that you haven’t already heard? He is not only one of the greatest athletes of this era; he is one of the greatest personalities.

“He always has a sound bite for you that are going to carry the promotion. This is important for boxing because we need that spark.

“Everyone needs to recognize what you are watching and what you are witnessing.

“Chad has been an outstanding champion.

“When you look across the ring and you don’t see a step up fight and you see an absolute legend, your corner can’t tell you how you are going to respond until that day comes. Come Saturday, Dawson, who I have a great deal of respect for, is going to look across the ring in the eyes of one of the greatest of all time.”

JOHN SCULLY, Dawson’s Head Trainer

“I just want to give a shout out to the rest of the training team

“I actually go way back with Naazim. I have a lot of respect for him.

“I haven’t trained Chad since he was a kid, but I have seen him since the very beginning. We go way back. I have seen him grow from a little kid to the man he is now.

“Everyone has that time to come out. I believe Chad Dawson is more than ready and he realizes this is his time to come out.

“I am looking forward to a great event and great fight.”

WINKY WRIGHT, Dawson’s Assistant Trainer

“I want to thank Gary Shaw and the Dawson camp for accepting me. I came in to lighten the mood and have fun with him [Dawson].

“Bernard is a great champion. He wouldn’t be where he is without fighting great fighters. He doesn’t duck anyone and there aren’t a lot of champions who do that.”

FREDDIE ROACH, Linares’ Trainer

“We have had a great training camp. We dragged Jorge around the world. He has been helping Manny Pacquiao get ready for his fight with Marquez.

“We know we have a great opponent in front of us. Don’t miss this one. It is going to be a great fight.”

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, President of Golden Boy Promotions

“I have been in there with some good fighters: Chavez, Whitaker, Mayweather and Pacquiao, but I do have to admit that Hopkins is the best fighter out of all of them that I ever faced.

“People throw around the word great. In the history of the game there have only been a handful of great fighters. It is my honor, as it should be to everyone here, to be in his [Hopkins’] presence.

“We are not going to see another fighter like Bernard Hopkins.

“Bernard Hopkins keeps turning back father time but that statue [Ripley’s Wax Figure] actually looks older than the real Hopkins.

“Jorge Linares vs. Antonio DeMarco is going to be a matchup of styles and it is going to be an exciting one for the fans.

“Danny Garcia turned professional in 2007 and we are thrilled to have him as part of the Golden Boy Promotions stable of fighters.

“Paulie Malignaggi is known for his flashy style in and out of the ring.

“Dewey Bozella will be making his professional debut and his pay-per-view debut. He can only give hope to people. He sends a message to never give up no matter what.”

GARY SHAW, President and CEO of Gary Shaw Productions

“I really believe, not because I am the co-promoter of this card, that this card from top to bottom is as good of a card I have ever seen whether on pay-per-view or on commercial television.

“We have great fights that are evenly matched.

“[Points to trophy] It is called the promoters cup. The promotional company that wins the most fights Saturday night will leave with it.

“John Scully is not a new trainer. He is actually an old trainer. He was probably Chad’s original trainer.

“I’ve never seen Chad Dawson as happy, as in good of shape, as he is now.

“[Looks at Hopkins] I believe this fight is going to be your retirement party. I am glad I am going to be there for it.

“[To Hopkins] Chad Dawson is a different Chad Dawson than you have seen, than any one else has seen. You can say whatever you want; you will not get into his head. I guarantee you that.

“[To Hopkins] You can take home the wax sculpture, we’ll take home the Tecate girls.

“DeMarco happens to be one of my favorite fighters. He is one of the most humble people I have met in all of boxing. He is always happy. He is always smiling. He is a pleasure to be around and a great fighter.

“Kendall [Holt] has the biggest punch of any 140 pounder. Danny Garcia is a nice young kid. I have a lot of respect for him, but when Kendall hits him with the right or the left, its going to be lights out. I guarantee that.”

Jim Pattison Jr., President of Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!

“We are lucky to be here for this special fight;

History will be made Saturday night;

A freak of nature call it what you will;

Bernard Hopkins will give you a thrill;

This man is special and knows how to win;

There is nowhere in boxing that he hasn’t been;

A legend to all, he knows all the tricks;

He’s still schooling the youngsters at age 46;

Follow his career and learn all the facts;

Now he is immortal… forever in wax.”

# # #

“Believe It Or Not!: Hopkins vs. Dawson” is a 12-round bout for Hopkins’ WBC and Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight World Championship Titles taking place on Saturday, Oct. 15 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif. and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. The event is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, AT&T and Ripley’s Believe It or Not. In addition to this championship main event showdown, the televised pay-per-view undercard will also feature Antonio DeMarco vs. Jorge Linares in a 12-round fight for the vacant WBC Lightweight World Title, Kendall Holt vs. Danny Garcia in 12-round bout for the vacant NABO Junior Welterweight Title and Paulie Malignaggi vs. Orlando Lora in a 10-round welterweight bout. DeMarco vs. Linares is presented in association with Teiken Promotions.

Tickets for Hopkins vs. Dawson, priced at $300, $150, $75 and $25, are on sale now and are available for purchase online at www.staplescenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com or via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines at (800)745-3000. Tickets are also available at STAPLES Center box office.

“Being 46 and sexy with the body of a 25-year-old? I think that is pretty impressive.

“I can predict I will win this fight. How I win will come out this Saturday night.

“I want the best Chad Dawson on Saturday night.

“He has to come out in character and not be the Dawson that he has been for many of his fights. The name doesn’t match the last three or four outcomes. When you have the name ‘Bad’ and you’re not Michael Jackson, you have to be able to own that. They call me ‘The Executioner’ for a reason.

“I have no problem putting the title on the line. This is what I do.

“I don’t know if Dawson is hungry. He says he is.

“The past is the past and tomorrow is unknown. On Saturday night, I want to put another page in the history book of my career.

“If I am still going to compete and be the best in the division, and part of the conversation of the best in boxing, then this fight is the next step.

“Every now and then an athlete comes along and does something different than those before him or her. It takes guts to be different.

“I don’t go into camp needing to lose 20-30 pounds. I don’t need to get into physical shape. I am a health and wellness guy. This is part of my lifestyle. It is automatic to me to be ready to fight. My engine is always running.

“It takes me a round or two until I know exactly what I have to do in a fight. You can’t overstudy a test, so your natural instincts have to be your guide. The great athletes always adjust. I don’t care what sport it is, only an elite athlete can do that.

“You have to be strong. It’s easy for me to look at adversity and temptation and not even have an urge. It isn’t a struggle. That isn’t me. That is part of my longevity.

“The difference in this fight is that I am fighting Chad Dawson who has plenty of credentials. He believes he is the guy to beat me. I have to win to prove him wrong. The problem is whether or not he means what he believes.

“I am a pretty good dancer, but if my dance partner steps on my feet, it will make me look bad. If Dawson is ready to dance, then it will be a good fight. It could be the ‘Fight of the Year.’

“I am knocking on the door of being the oldest ‘Fighter of the Year’ ever. I have a chance to seal that deal this Saturday night on pay-per-view.

“I always have a motivation. Something to push me to win and that motivation is to become the oldest ‘Fighter of the Year.’ It puts pressure on the writers, 90 percent of whom are 40 and up. I want to put a bug in their ear that I am trying to make history on that front.

“I never operate well when I am the favorite in a fight. I like being the underdog. I think that is the reason a lot of people want to watch. I am not surprised I am the underdog.

“This is a new movement in my career. Am I the underdog because of my age or because of my resume? It must be my age, because I know can’t be the resume.

“I am 12-1 against southpaws, arugably 13-0 with the Calzaghe fight. I am a right handed fighter which is death to a southpaw.

“I am fighting someone taller than me for the first time in almost 10 years.

“I might have little in my favor, but I will win on Saturday night.”

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, President of Golden Boy Promotions

“As every fight goes by, I think Hopkins gets better and better and is demonstrating to everyone that he is going to be around a long time.

“Bernard Hopkins has faced them all. He has fought every style, every adversity. Everything they put in front of him, he leaps over. He is our bionic man.

“You have to look up to Hopkins and what he is doing at his age.

“The beauty about Hopkins is that fighters usually have one, maybe two styles. He has a plan C, D and E.

“Hopkins is able to adapt to any style. He is a chameleon in the ring and that is dangerous for any opponent.

“It doesn’t surprise me that Hopkins wants to fight the best. He is the best that I faced in my career.”

###

“Believe It Or Not!: Hopkins vs. Dawson” is a 12-round bout for Hopkins’ WBC and Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight World Championship Titles taking place on Saturday, Oct. 15 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif. and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. The event is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, AT&T and Ripley’s Believe It or Not. In addition to this championship main event showdown, the televised pay-per-view undercard will also feature Antonio DeMarco vs. Jorge Linares in a 12-round fight for the vacant WBC Lightweight World Title, Kendall Holt vs. Danny Garcia in 12-round bout for the vacant NABO Junior Welterweight Title and Paulie Malignaggi vs. Orlando Lora in a 10-round welterweight bout. DeMarco vs. Linares is presented in association with Teiken Promotions.

Tickets for Hopkins vs. Dawson, priced at $300, $150, $75 and $25, are on sale now and are available for purchase online at www.staplescenter.com or www.ticketmaster.com, via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines at (800) 745-3000and at the STAPLES Center box office

Bernard Hopkins will show up in wax next week. It ought to be granite. He’s been indestructible.

Hopkins’ defiance against time and his victories over opponents young enough to be his son continue like the clock that never seems to catch up with him. It will, of course. Nobody knows that better than Hopkins, who was wise enough to say this week in a conference call that he won’t still be fighting when he’s 50, yet he will be there for another opening bell on Oct. 15 against Chad Dawson just three months before he turns 47.

Like the graybeard he is becoming, he was philosophical, at times almost wistful, in a call that preceded his fight at Staples Center in Los Angeles where Ripley’s Believe It Or Not will unveil his wax figure. He couldn’t say when or where he’d answer his last bell.

“Can’t think about winning and retiring at the same time,’’ said Hopkins, who will defend the light-heavyweight title he won in a rematch against Jean Pascal.

But he was thinking about history, which he promised would include another chapter about a victory over the under-achieving, yet dangerous Dawson. In the end, history means a judgment, which is as inescapable as retirement. How will he be remembered?

Within the ropes, there won’t be much argument from anybody other than perhaps Joe Calzaghe. Calzaghe beat him on the scorecards in March, 2008, leaving Hopkins with one of his five losses. Calzaghe retired, unbeaten at 46-0. But 10 years from now, who will be remembered as the better fighter in history’s pound-for-pound debate, Calzaghe or Hopkins? I’ll argue that Hopkins will win that one every time. With no apologies to Floyd Mayweather Jr., Hopkins is the real face of boxing, which is more about conquering adversity than it is an unscarred record. Hopkins’ life is a boxing story, an American story which includes prison and a loss in his first fight.

In perhaps a sure sign that retirement is near, he now has arrived at a stage where he wants to be remembered for more than boxing.

“Boxing is what he did, but boxing is not who he is,’’ Hopkins said.

A healthy serving of self-promotion has always been part of the Hopkins personality. Some are offended by that. Many media colleagues are also offended by his racial comments. There was one last May directed at former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. More notorious, perhaps, was the one he shouted at Calzaghe in the middle of a crowded media room in Las Vegas before Mayweather’s 10th-round TKO of Britain’s Ricky Hatton in December, 2007. He told Calzaghe that he would never let “a white boy” beat him.

I wasn’t there for the McNabb controversy when Hopkins, while training for the Pascal rematch, was reported to have suggested that McNabb, now with the Minnesota Vikings, wasn’t tough enough because he wasn’t black enough. But I was there for the Calzaghe exchange, which was pure theater in the hype leading up to their fight.

In one moment, Hopkins was joking with a circle of British writers, telling them that they had better health care in the UK than the U.S.

“Then again, you all drink a hell of a lot more than we do,’’ Hopkins said.

Then, he spotted Calzaghe. He raced across the MGM Grand’s ballroom, shifted his vocal chords from joking to angry and screamed “the white boy” comment at him. It was all in the setting and tone, yet media reports included none of that context. With only the quote, it appeared to be a racial insult.

In meeting with some media before Amir Khan’s victory over Zab Judah in July, Hopkins talked about how it might have affected the judging in his split-decision loss to Calzaghe

“I lost that fight when I called him light-skinned,’’ Hopkins told a circle of reporters, many of whom were light-skinned.

Be careful of what you read. Hopkins doesn’t take himself that seriously. When he is approaching 60 a decade from now, I’m not sure how he will look at himself. But boxing obviously will be the biggest piece in a fascinating puzzle. Still, priorities always change and it is beginning to look as if Hopkins is too.

Hopkins trained in Philadelphia with Dewey Bozella, who will fight on the Oct. 15 undercard. Bozella was convicted and imprisoned in 1983 for a murder he did not commit. He served 26 years before his conviction was overturned in 2009.

“His life is bigger than the sport …bigger than anything I’ve ever done,’’ said Hopkins, whose record of convictions as a 17-year-old led to a five-year sentence in Pennsylvania’s notorious Graterford Prison. “You don’t get a second life. I went into jail because I did something. I wasn’t innocent. He was innocent.

“That’s a difference, a big difference.’’

A wise one, too, from somebody who hasn’t defied time so much as he used it, evolved with it.

AZ NOTES
· As expected, Phoenix junior-welterweight prospect Jose Benavidez Jr. is scheduled for the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez undercard on Nov. 12 at Las Vegas MGM Grand. Gary Bergeron (12-8, 7 KOs) of Chalmette, La., is the scheduled opponent. But expect changes. Benavidez (13-0, 12 KOs) does. There were three to four changes before his last victory, a first-round stoppage, on Sept. 17 in Parker, Ariz. Bergeron, loser of his last three fights and 2-6 over his last eight, is also scheduled for a bout on Nov. 11 in Australia, which means he would have to book a seat on the Space Shuttle to get to Vegas in time for opening bell.

· And while Kelly Pavlik considers a tune-up or two in an attempt to get his career back on track, Phoenix super-middleweight Jesus Gonzales continues to lobby for a shot at the former middleweight champ. Gonzales turned 27 on Monday. When asked what he wanted for his birthday, Gonzales said: “A fight with Kelly Pavlik. That’s better than a Grand Slam from Denny’s.’’

Bernard Hopkins, WBC and Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight World Champion

“I chose to continue to fight and defend what I worked so hard to get.So why not get all of the benefits of what I’ve been doing for 20-something years and then walk away when it’s time?

“I think that it’ll come down to who is the better fighter. The better fighter, the better person, the better strategist and who wants it the most.

“It really would be gratifying to me and happy for me to sit back in my 60’s and hear commentators say, “This guy is four fights away from beating Bernard Hopkins’ record.

“In today’s world where, unfortunately, most athletes, either don’t stay as focused long enough after they get a taste of what we call success in life, or just run into the wrong match, the wrong person. So I’m going to have fun in the second half of my life.

“Well, Chad Dawson said something that made sense. He’s going to be throwing a lot of punches, but I’m going to be connecting a lot of punches.He’s going to throw all the punches he wants, but I’m going to be connecting more than he is throwing.

“I’m coming in there with an aggressive game, but a smart game. If people think that the last two fights of my career were the old Bernard Hopkins from the Blue Horizon to Atlantic City days in the early 90’s, then I’m saying that they should watch this fight.

“The bottom line is they are going to see a better, a more aggressive, smart fighter in me when I beat Chad Dawson.

“When you look at my résumé compared with his [Dawson’s] résumé, you must say, or must agree, that my résumé is a Ferrari and his is a Mercedes.

“Keep an eye on [Danny] Garcia. He’s got a fight coming up [on October 15] that’ll prove he belongs in the pound for pound contender’s bracket.

“At the end of the day, what Dewey did is beyond anything that I’ve done in the ring; it is beyond anything I accomplished outside of the ring in my personal [life].

“I want my gray to be in the ring. I want Chad Dawson to see I have gray hair. I want to look like his father—well, I could be his father. I’m not, but I could be!That age difference is appropriate for me to look like I’m gray and I have gray, because realistically, if you do the math, he could be my son.

“There are a lot of people that are 46 and younger that feel lousy today that never took a punch. Well, change your lifestyle. Change what you do. I did it years ago, so I’m ahead of the game. I’m not feeling like I’m 26 every day.I always say if I have to put a number on myself, the way I feel today, I feel like I am 36. So if I’m 36 to 46, that means I’m 10 years ahead of the game.”

Danny Garcia, Top Undefeated Junior Welterweight Contender

“I feel blessed, just for being recognized that I have the talent.[For Hopkins to] recognize my hard work and dedication. I’m just blessed now, and it’s motivating me more to shine on October 15.

“I never rely on my power because that can’t win you a fight. I rely on my skills. I think I use my brain, and I break my opponent down and land the big shots. So my power is just my last resort.

“I know I got more mature since I turned pro.I’m a lot smarter and it’s a chess game in there. So now when I feel like a guy’s kind of outsmarting me a little bit, I stay relaxed and I just try to figure it out.

“It was definitely a growing process. I learned how to be a smart fighter and not go in over anxious and just set the pace.

“I just feel strong, and we had a great camp. I’m just anxious to show the world what I can do. I’m ready. I wish it was tomorrow.

“I watched Kendall Holt’s last fight and I said to my dad, ‘I am going to fight the winner of this fight.’So I feel like I predicted my future a little bit.

“Holt isn’t going to touch me like he did to his last opponent.You can’t hit what you can’t see.

“I feel like I took my time. I have had 21 fights; I never rushed and was like, ‘Yeah, go ahead and put me on HBO,’ or begged for it. It came to me when they thought I was ready. I know I am ready, so we took the opportunity and we trained hard.”

Dewey Bozella, Top Undefeated Junior Welterweight Contender

“When I was young, I was bitter because I never thought I’d get out of there [prison].I thought I’d die in there.

“I came to Bernard Hopkins’ camp and I was approved to fight.Thank God for that. I worked hard and it paid off.

“I’m not going out to lie down; I’m going out to fight. I’m not going to let this guy come and whip my butt.

“[On being able to have his first professional fight] it’s just like getting out of prison. It is a new experience.

“I always thought I had a chance to get out.People said, ‘Ah, it’ll never happen, it’ll never happen,’ but it did happen.

“I want to get this [fight] over with and then I want to open my own gym.

“My goal is to help young kids as well as adults to help turn their lives around and keep out of trouble.

“[My gym is going to be for] whoever comes in, but it’s going to be for the kids.

“I am a professional fighter. I’m here.

“[On earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in prison] I always said, ‘How can I give something back to society if I have nothing to offer?

“I knew I was getting out of prison.Either I was going to die in there and go out in a box, or I was going to walk out of there.”

Naazim Richardson, Hopkins’ Trainer

“You can’t underestimate Dawson in any way, shape or form.

“Pascal and Pavlik were supposed to be the guys running the sport. I said if you can beat these kids, you can beat anybody.

“I love boxing. I love the sport. And this guy [Hopkins] is boxing.”

# # #

“Believe It Or Not!: Hopkins vs. Dawson” is a 12-round bout for Hopkins’ WBC and Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight World Championship Titles taking place on Saturday, Oct. 15 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif. and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. The event is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, AT&T and Ripley’s Believe It or Not. In addition to this championship main event showdown, the televised pay-per-view undercard will also feature Antonio DeMarco vs. Jorge Linares in a 12-round fight for the vacant WBC Lightweight World Title, Kendall Holt vs. Danny Garcia in 12-round bout for the vacant NABO Junior Welterweight Title and Paulie Malignaggi vs. Orlando Lora in a 10-round welterweight bout. DeMarco vs. Linares is presented in association with Teiken Promotions.

Tickets for Hopkins vs. Dawson, priced at $300, $150, $75 and $25, are on sale now and are available for purchase online at www.staplescenter.com or www.ticketmaster.com, via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines at (800) 745-3000and at the STAPLES Center box office.

World Light Heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins works out in advance of October 15th title defense with Chad Dawson

World Light Heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins breaks down his October 15th title defense with Chad Dawson

Famed trainer Naazim Richardson talks about the just completed Steve Cunningham – Yoan Pablo Hernandez fiasco plus breaks down the Bernard Hopkins – Chad Dawson showdown

Arthur Ashe Courage award winner Dewey Bozella talks about his upcoming pro debut on October 15 as part of the Bernard Hopkins – Chad Dawson undercard

Undefeated Jr. Welterweight Danny Garcia talks about his showdown with Kendall Holt on October 15th as part of the Bernard Hopkins – Chad Dawson undercard

Undefeated Jr. Welterweight Danny Garcia works out in advance of his October 15 showdown with Kendall Holt as part of the Bernard Hopkins – Chad Dawson undercard

Dewey Bozella works out for his pro debut on October 15th as part of the Bernard Hopkins – Chad Dawson undercard

Philadelphia, PA—In what has become a common story from rising Philadelphia fighters, 25-year-old Gabriel Rosado, like undefeated 28-year-old welterweight Mike Jones, credits ageless wonder Bernard Hopkins for being a helpful influence.

Rosado, who boxes Keenan Collins, of Reading, PA, for the Pennsylvania State junior middleweight title Sept. 9 at the Asylum Arena in South Philadelphia, also has helped Hopkins, who became, at age 46, the oldest man to win a major boxing title, prepare for some of his fights.

“I’ve been a sparring partner for Bernard for four of his fights, including his last win,” (a 12-round decision over Jean Pascal in May), said Rosado, who turned pro in 2006 after just 17 amateur fights. “If Bernard sees potential in you, he takes the time to break things down for you. He shares his boxing techniques and old-school traits with you. He has improved my footwork and has shown me how to close the distance between myself and my opponents. He has made a big difference in my career and I’m impressed watching him fight at 46. He’s the coolest dude.”

Rosado (17-5, 10 KOs), is riding the most impressive streak of his career, having won his last three fights, seven of his last nine, 11 of his last 14. Included in those streaks are victories over former IBF world junior middleweight champ Kassim Ouma, of Uganda, and top contender Saul Roman, of Mexico.

The Rosado-Collins championship bout and the eight-round semifinal, which features unbeaten welterweight prospect Ronald Cruz, of Bethlehem, PA, will be broadcast on TeleFutura’s Solo Boxeo Tecate at 11.30pm ET/PT (10.30pm CT).

Five additional fights complete the card at the Asylum Arena, 7 West Ritner Street. The first fight begins at 7.30pm and the card is being promoted by Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., Don Chargin Productions and Golden Boy Promotions.

Tickets are priced at $45 and $65. They are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing Promotions (215-765-0922) and also can be purchased online at www.peltzboxing.com.

# # #

Fans at home can be part of the action by participating in Cinturon Tecate and voting for the fighter in the main event who displays the most character in the ring by sending a text message to 55333. Voting will be open through the end of the weekend.
Tecate, cerveza con character, is the largest beer brand to sponsor boxing matches in the U.S. Part of its commitment to make boxing accessible to customers is the title sponsorship of Solo Boxeo Tecate, which creates an opportunity for local fans to witness some of the most exhilarating fights by today’s up-and-coming prospects. Additionally, Tecate has been a primary supporter of Golden Boy Promotions’ marquee events since 2007, and has launched a variety of initiatives to ensure consumers are part of the boxing experience, including boxer autograph signing sessions, commemorative cans, PPV mail-in rebate offers, and most recently the launch of a mobile museum Tecate Museo de Boxeo, which showcases decades of the most memorable moments in the sport.
For more information on Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., visit www.peltzboxing.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/peltzboxing or become a fan on Facebook at Peltz Boxing Facebook Page. For more information on Golden Boy Promotions, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, or become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Promotions Facebook Page.

“You can’t make history all the time. You can have a winning record, a winning season, but to actually make history — a baseball player hitting 500 home runs or something like that — these things don’t happen all the time.” — Bernard Hopkins

Before his second meeting with Jean Pascal back in May, Bernard Hopkins made it clear that occupying more space in boxing’s history book was a major motivation for him. At 46 years of age, a win for Hopkins against Pascal would make him the oldest professional boxer to ever win a championship belt.

After twelve rounds and thirty-six minutes between the ropes, the Executioner grabbed both that championship belt and also that place in boxing history that meant so much to him. The archivists who keep that giant book of boxing history were forced to dust it off, erase George Foreman’s name next to “Oldest Fighter To Win A Title,” and replace it with Bernard Hopkins.

Now, having accomplished that goal, being the boxing historian and student of the game that he is — Hopkins has flipped through the history book and has set his sights on a new record. He wants to be the oldest champion to defend his championship hardware.

While it’s biologically impossible for that occur on October 15, the date in which Hopkins and “Bad” Chad Dawson will duke it out, the Executioner will need to come away victorious if he wants to keep that dream alive. If it were to happen down the road, he would replace another legend in in the record books, this time Hopkins’ name would be inserted at the expense of The Old Mongoose, Archie Moore, and it would come two-plus years down the road.

Depending who your source is, Moore was either born in 1910 or 1913 — Moore and his mother couldn’t even agree on that. What is indisputable, however, is Moore’s jaw-dropping record of 185-23-10, 131 KO and 1 no contest. Even more astonishing is that Moore held the title for over nine years straight, defending it until the ripe old age of 48.

So in order for Hopkins to keep that record in his sights, he’ll have to defeat 29 year-old former light heavyweight champion, Chad Dawson. Dawson’s only loss – you’ll remember – came at the fists of the aforementioned Pascal last August.

Last week, Hopkins’ trainer Naazim Richardson called Dawson “the most technically sound light heavyweight” but added that “Pascal was the most dangerous…as Chad found out.”

If you subscribe to that, then Hopkins beat the most dangerous man in the division and if he beats Dawson, he will have beaten the most technically sound fighter in the weight class. After Dawson, the clouds begin to part a bit, and Hopkins could stare Archie Moore’s record in the face.

Perhaps a showdown with Tavoris Cloud would be in the works, or a scrap with titleholder Beibut Shumenov. Regardless, beating Dawson is a tall order. But if it happens, then Hopkins holding onto his title for another two years is as realistic as ever. Realistically speaking the light heavyweight is not 140. It’s pretty thin.

Hopkins knows it can happen. He sees it is in his sights.

“I look forward to making history and breaking the great Mongoose, Archie Moore’s, title defense record at the Light Heavyweight record,” Hopkins said last week. “I believe when he was 47 or 48 years old he defended that title. That to me is impressive. I want that title. I want that record. I want that history.”

Archie Moore’s record really is Hopkins’ carrot on a stick. Even with a win, he can’t get it just yet. But it will be his motivation, his goal. And as long as Hopkins stays in this game, you can bet that he’ll be in peak physical condition and give himself a chance to win every fight he’s in. He’ll never embarrass himself. He cares too much about his legacy and his place in boxing history.

Kyle Kinder can be reached at Twitter.com/KyleKinder or KyleKinder1@gmail.com

Photo by Claudia Bocanegra

15rounds.com Claudia Bocanegra was on hand at BB King’s in Time Square New York City for the formal announcement of the Bernard Hopkins – Chad Dawson October 15th PPV fight for Hopkins Light Heavyweight championship

Former Light Heavyweight champion Chad Dawson speaks to the media about his October 15th Championship showdown with Bernard Hopkins

Promoter Gary Shaw breaks down the October 15th PPV card featuring Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson

Jr. Welterweight contender Kendall Holt talks about his October 15th showdown with Danny Garcia on the Bernard Hopkins- Chad Dawson PPV

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that Jr. Welterweights Kendall Hilt and Danny Garcia will fight eachother on October 15th as part of the Bernard Hopkins – Chad Dawson world Light Heavyweight title fight undercard in Los Angeles.

“It’s done, 100 percent done and I’m very excited about this fight,” said Holt’s promoter Gary Shaw. “I think it’s a great fight and the right fight for both fighters.”

“It wasn’t hard at all,” he said. “Golden Boy and myself both wanted to make the fight and both fighters wanted the fight. That makes the perfect marriage.”

“I don’t think Garcia has ever felt the kind of power Kendall has and Kendall may not have been in with anyone recently with the kind of speed that Garcia has,” Shaw said. “It’s the old cliche — this is the young fighter versus the veteran, which is the theme of Hopkins and Dawson as well.”

junior lightweight titleholder Jorge Linares (31-1, 20 KOs) for the lightweight belt recently vacated by Humberto Soto (DeMarco’s cousin).

Shaw said he and Golden Boy are still working to finalize a fourth televised bout, but that it could include heavyweight Franklin Lawrence, whom Shaw recently signed, or blue chip featherweight prospect Gary Russell Jr., a 2008 U.S. Olympian.

“We’ll lock in the last fight probably by Wednesday,” Shaw said.

World Light Heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins works out as he begins camp for his October 15 showdown with Chad Dawson

Once thought to be staged at The Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, the Bernard Hopkins-Chad Dawson HBO Pay Per View fight will now land at The Staples Center in Los Angeles on October 15th accroding to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“It does look like it will be at the Staples Center,” said Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions. “It’s probably 95 percent it will be there. I am just working with them to finalize our deal.”

Talks with The Prudential Center hit a snag after The building insisted that Main Events, which has staged all of the boxing events at the Prudential Center be involved with the fight card by having signage in the building and a spot on the undercard for Kathy Duva’s promotion.

This will be Hopkins second fight at The Staples Center and first since his February, 2005 Middleweight title defense against Howard Eastman.

“We had a great crowd when Bernard did his historic 20th title defense and now he will do his first defense of the historic title he won against (Jean) Pascal,” Schaefer said. “I think Los Angeles boxing fans, Los Angeles sports fans, the celebrities — I think they like these kind of meaningful events. Staples Center is very excited about it.”

The fight will headline an HBO PPV card. Schaefer and Gary Shaw, Dawson’s promoter, have been working on the undercard.

One of the supporting bouts has been agreed to, Schaefer said. Golden Boy fighter Jorge Linares will face Antonio DeMarco, who is promoted by Shaw, for the lightweight title recently vacated by Humberto Soto (DeMarco’s cousin).

“Gary confirmed to me that his side is in and our side is in, so it looks like that will be one of the fights,” Schaefer said.

LAS VEGAS – Bernard Hopkins tried to stir up some interest Saturday in a rematch with Joe Calzaghe by mentioning the possibility and then telling UK reporters to speak to Calzaghe about it.

Hopkins suggested a rematch was in order when UK reporters told him that Calzaghe was in Las Vegas to watch fellow Brit Amir Khan fight Zab Judah.

“You’ll have something to write about on Sunday,’’ he cracked at the UK reporters who were at Mandalay Bay for a breakfast roundtable.

Hopkins (52-5-2, 32 KOs) has always believed he was robbed of a victory in a 2008 split decision that went to Calzaghe, now 39 and retired. Controversy preceded the fight when Hopkins told Calzaghe that he’d never let “white boy” beat him.

“I won that fight,’’ said the 46-year-old Hopkins, who faces Chad Dawson (30-1, 17 KOs) on Oct. 15 in defense of the light-heavyweight title he won against Jean Pascal in a victory that made him the oldest ever to claim a major title. “I think I lost that fight when I called light-skinned. I think that changed the way people looked at that fight.’’

It was not known early Saturday if Calzaghe was interested. He has never indicated one way or another whether he has even considered a comeback.

“He retired because he knew the world wanted to see a Hopkins-Calzaghe rematch,’’ Hopkins said. “Joe knew the pressure would be too much.’’

Hopkins, who always has a lot to say, also offered to fight UK heavyweight David Haye, who balmed his embarrassing loss Wladimir Klitschko on a broken toe

“Hey, I’ll fight David Haye tomorrow,’’ Hopkins said. “I’ll spot him 20 pounds.’’

Hopkins thought Haye had blamed the loss on a busted big toe. When told it was a small toe, Hopkins said:

“OK, I’ll spot him 50.’’

Hopkins (52-5-2, 32 KO) lost his light heavyweight belt to Calzaghe in April 2008 by split decision in a bowling shoe ugly fight that was debated by many but is regarded fondly by few. After that win, Calzaghe (who was already the super middleweight champion) fought just once more, beating the shell of Roy Jones Jr in November 2008 in a pay-per-view bomb in Madison Square Garden.

Calzaghe then retired with a record of 46-0 (32 KO), but it’s a record many still don’t consider truly great, despite the Welshman having never lost a fight. Now 39 years old, Calzaghe has made no serious indication that he’s looking to return to the ring, but there has been mild speculation since he retired. The biggest headlines he’s made in his time out of the ring came, unfortunately, when he admitted to cocaine usage. He also appeared on the reality show contest “Strictly Come Dancing.”

PHILADELPHIA (June 17, 2011)—Next Saturday night in St. Charles, Missouri, Yusaf Mack of Philadelphia will attempt to follow in the legendary shoes of Bernard Hopkins and capture a slice of the Light Heavyweight championship as he takes on Tavoris Cloud for Cloud’s IBF title.

Mack of Philadelphia has been extra motivated by a man he calls one of his mentors as he watched Hopkins become the oldest man to win a major boxing championship when he won the WBC/Ring Magazine crown with his win over Jean Pascal on May 21st in Montreal.

“I have known Bernard for my whole boxing life and he was one of the guys who has given me pointers and helped me throughout my career and seeing what he has accomplished and in particular what he did to Pascal gives me that extra drive and inspiration that lets me know I can win this fight”, said Mack

Mack has a record of 29-3-2 with seventeen knockouts recently attended a ceremony where the Mayor of Philadelphia, Michael Nutter presented Hopkins with gifts and recognized him for his amazing accomplishment.

“That was amazing. I was and am so proud of Bernard and being at the ceremony I just kept thinking that if can accomplish some of those things, I can achieve the same. It starts on June 25th when I beat Tavoris Cloud and bring back that IBF Belt home. Ironically it the IBF belt that Bernard first won.”

“After I win on June 25th, The Light Heavyweight division will run through Philadelphia with Bernard and I ruling the division. This has been the best training camp of my life and if Tavoris thinks he is seeing the same guy who fought Glen Johnson, then that will be his problem on June 25th.”

Cloud against Mack is part of a big fight card that will be televised LIVE on HBO.

Tickets priced at $25, $50, $125 and $300 are on sale now and can be purchased at the Family Arena Box Office, all MetroTix outlets including online at metrotix.com or charge by phone at (314) 534-1111. All tickets include parking. The event is being promoted by Don King Productions. Alexander vs. Matthysse, presented in association with Golden Boy Promotions; Cloud vs. Mack, presented in association with Bash Boxing/Lights Out Promotions; and Stiverne vs. Austin will be televised on HBO beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT (8:45 p.m. CT).

Philadelphia, PA— If Bernard Hopkins set the standard, Mike Jones would like to carry on the tradition.

Jones, the undefeated and top-ranked welterweight who boxes Raul Munoz, of Mexico, on June 25 at the South Philly Arena, has followed the same strict regimen of ring preparation as fellow-Philadelphian Hopkins, the multi-division world champion who recently became, at age 46, the oldest man to win a major boxing title.

‘I talk to Bernard when he comes to the (Joe Hand) gym,” said Jones. “He always gives me something (advice) I can use inside the ring and outside the ring. He’s a real wise dude.”

Like Hopkins, Jones is known for always being in top shape. Nutrition, along with exercise and a healthy mental outlook, forms the core of that foundation.

“Eating properly is about your well-being,” Jones said, who will be fighting in Philadelphia for the 13th time, but for the first time in more than two years. “It’s all about a better lifestyle. It’s just like repetition in the gym. You keep practicing something; it becomes second-nature to you; it becomes easy.”

“The same thing with eating habits. My dad has diabetes and lost his mobility and he can’t walk around. My dad’s situation has put my diet into perspective. It’s good for my profession and my life.”

Jones has two young daughters and he teaches them to eat properly and to drink water—no sodas, no sugary juices.

The 28-year-old Jones is coming off a big win Feb. 19 in Las Vegas where he out-pointed Jesus Soto-Karass, of Mexico, for the second time. He is currently rated No. 1 in the world at 147 pounds behind WBO champion Manny Pacquiao, as well as No. 2 by the WBA, No. 3 by the IBF, No. 5 by the WBC.

The Jones-Munoz fight is part of the Top Rank Live! series which will be promoted by Top Rank, Inc., and Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc. It will be televised live by Fox Sports Net beginning at 10 pm EST. The first of six additional bouts begins at 8pm.

Tickets priced at $50 and $75 are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing Promotions (215-765-0922) and through Ticketmaster (800-745-3000). They also can be purchased online at www.peltzboxing.com and www.ticketmaster.com.

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Mike Jones vs. Raul Munoz, co-promoted by Top Rank, Inc., and Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., takes place Saturday, June 25, at the South Philly Arena, 7 West Ritner Street. The scheduled 10-round contest will be televised live by Fox Sports Net at 10 pm EST as part of the Top Rank Live! series.

Famed trainer talks about Bernard Hopkins win over Jean Pascal

World Light Heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins gets an award from Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter for his historic win over Jean Pascal

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that talks are underway for a Light Heavyweight showdown between new champion Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson that could take place this Fall.

“Richard (Schaefer) called me and said he wanted to discuss making the fight and I was excited because we were on the same page,” Said Dawson’s promoter Gary Shaw. “We talked about places we could do the fight, but we want to do the fight wherever we can make the most money. He agreed.

“We said we would both get on the phone with HBO on Monday and try to lock in a date. We basically have our deal done. We agreed to a split (of the revenue) and we agreed to a deal in concept.”

“The reason why the (Hopkins-Pascal) rematch happened is because Gary and Chad were supportive,” Schaefer said. “They could have made a stink about it but they didn’t. It was a very tricky negotiation in order to get Bernard the rematch with Pascal. Now Dawson deserves his shot.

“Gary and me had conversations before to work things out so Bernard could get the rematch with Pascal. All of those discussions should make it easy to get things into motion and get the fight between Bernard and Dawson done. I am very positive it will happen. It’s the fight Bernard wants and the fight Chad wants. So Gary and me are talking about it.”

“I got a call (Wednesday) from (a venue in) Las Vegas and they are interested. (Thursday) I had lunch with the people from the Staples Center (in Los Angeles) and they are interested as well,” Schaefer said. “I have talked to (Pascal promoter) Yvon Michel about going back to Canada. Atlantic City is interested as well. There is a tremendous buzz about Bernard Hopkins after he did what he did. The big rating HBO did means millions of people saw Bernard in one of his best performances. People want to see Bernard back.”

Even though Hopkins has been busy making the media rounds since breaking George Foreman’s record as the oldest fighter to win a title, he also was thinking about the impending fight with Dawson.

“I have to honor my agreement with Chad first,” he said of potential fights. “It’s me and him next.”

Apropos of my own irreverence last week, 15rounds.com’s indispensible editor Marc Abrams addressed the consequences of Saturday’s fight thusly: “A man winning the lineal light heavyweight title at 46? Yeah, I think that’s pretty (frigging) important.” I thought about that for five days and decided he was right.

It sure could have happened to a nicer guy, though. Hopkins, I mean – not Abrams.

Saturday at Montreal’s Bell Centre before a record-setting crowd of 17,750, American Bernard Hopkins became the oldest prizefighter to win a world title, when he decisioned Canadian Jean Pascal by unanimous scores of 116-112, 115-114 and 115-113.

My scorecard went 115-115. I had Hopkins ahead 88-85 after nine rounds. Then I muted the volume on HBO’s telecast and gave Pascal rounds 10, 11 and 12. Ultimately, Hopkins won rounds 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9 on my card. Pascal took rounds 1, 4 and the aforementioned final three. I had rounds 2 and 8 even.

I’m sure a card like that makes me a “hater.” But like the last time I scored a Hopkins fight, I confess that I couldn’t care less what you opine of my card. I tried to be impartial. That meant balancing the conflicting signals sent brainward from my eyes and ears.

Something is a bit less than objective when the host of a telecast allows his eyes to water with joy over a participant’s victory.

The fight did not follow the path HBO’s viewers were promised. Not quite. The plan, of course, was for Pascal to use youth and strength to manhandle Hopkins in the opening rounds. Then Hopkins’ wiles and monkish existence – and let us not forget his time at Graterford – would bring home the final eight rounds, in a boxing clinic, proving the doubters wrong, reasserting his legendary status, and establishing once and for all that quarterback Donovan McNabb is an Uncle Tom.

No, that wasn’t the script? Sometimes it’s hard to keep Hopkins’ self-promotion separate from his fights.

Hopkins has achieved legendary status by winning prizefights at a startlingly ripe age. But because of the way he’s conducted himself while doing it, Hopkins is a legend the way Victor Niederhoffer is a legend. Niederhoffer is permanently enshrined at Yale – home of the United States Squash Hall of Fame. But if he’s known to common folks at all, it is for a 24-hour liquidation of his hedge fund in 1997.

Non-boxing media congregates at Hopkins’ press conferences to see the man sabotage his legacy. His favorite strategy is to punctuate rambling non sequiturs with jarringly Spartan commentaries on race. Joe Calzaghe was a “white boy” and McNabb is “suntanned” – a not-so-crafty way of implying any black athlete from a two-parent home, without incarceration on his résumé, is not black enough.

How the black community chooses to discipline Hopkins – with longterm indifference, likely – is not boxing’s problem. Having a petulant racist as the legendary face of our sport is a different story. Kind of makes you wish we could find an error on George Foreman’s birth certificate and give him back the title of “Boxing’s Oldest Champion,” doesn’t it?

That’s really too bad. What Hopkins accomplished Saturday was more impressive than what Foreman did to Michael Moorer in 1994. Seventeen years ago, Foreman was dominated pillar to post for 29 minutes by Moorer, then lightning struck and Big George landed a 1-2 that made Moorer silly. Hopkins, on the other hand, just won at least 14 of 24 rounds over two championship-length fights against a puncher in his prime and hometown.

Pascal is not a classic boxer or slugger. The man is slop3y and He hts. you, in places th’t my not be legal while he circls & mkes circlz and leaps and fouls. Gosh bt he looks ferrotious, no, when Hs knuckles, and hed, concuss u on teh nck, sholdrs and ears!

Hopkins is precise. His motion efficient. He does not take two steps if one suffices. He strikes more than he punches. His fists go to the place he wants them. He hits you where he desires.

Pascal mde the fite a mess whn he was on. He out-bullyd Hopkins by pnch1ng him on the brainstem, and again.

Several times Hopkins stopped to complain to the referee. When he gained no favorable ruling, though, Hopkins fought. This was a better showing than what Hopkins pulled against Calzaghe, flopping shamelessly to the mat. Saturday, he was fouled by a man who wanted to fight more than he knew how. To Hopkins enduring credit, at age 46, he returned fire without regard for personal safety.

Pascal wnted his fns to sweigh the judges n hs favor. But he didnt’ do enuf to win rounds in the midddl3, holdng, hufing and pufffing.

Afterwards, Hopkins reminded us he was a legend. Ever the gracious winner, he complimented his interviewer and promised that exciting fights at age 46 were part of his master plan. Hopkins’ interviewer didn’t think to ask what part of Hopkins’ plan a 2006 retirement was.

Pascal, meanwhile, did what he did after their first fight: he agreed to the official scores and expressed gratitude.

Yeah, but he’s no legend! Well, no, he’s not and won’t be. But he is able to attract a hometown crowd 400 percent larger than Hopkins can draw. Surely someone else thinks that fact is correlated with the men’s varying levels of sportsmanship?

Pascal’s hometown is Montreal. Saturday it hosted Philadelphia’s Hopkins in its main event and Connecticut’s Chad Dawson in its co-main. Between its showings for Lucian Bute, Librado Andrade and Pascal, Montreal has perhaps garnered more credit as a fight town than it deserves.

There is a way for Montreal to achieve pound-for-pound status, though, and prove its haters wrong with a full house. Host Hopkins-Dawson.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry