Stuart Hall: ‘I’ll repay Hobson’s faith’

Darlington’s Stuart Hall has promised to repay the faith shown in him by promoter Dennis Hobson by becoming a two-time world champion.

Former IBF world bantamweight champion Hall lost his crown in his second defence after a split-decision reverse to Ellesmere Port’s Paul Butler in June.

With Butler subsequently moving down in weight, and Hobson beating off the purse-bid challenge from Stateside promoters Golden Boy, ‘Stuey’ will now face American Randy Caballero for the vacant title on home turf later this year.

“I’m so thankful to Dennis for what he’s done,” explained Stuart. “He’s pulled it right out of the bag and got me home advantage, which is unbelievable. When I fought [Vusi] Malinga to win the title and it ended up a war, the crowd really got behind me when things got tough.

“Going to America would have meant less time to prepare for the fight, because I think they [Caballero's camp] already had their game set. So Dennis has pulled it put of the bag and I’m going to return the favour and win that title back.”

Caballero will be a formidable challenge. The unbeaten Californian has KO’d 13 of his 21 opponents and is seen as a future star ‘over the pond’. Hall though is confident he will be reunited with the IBF strap.

“I’m confident. He comes to fight and it’s going to be an easier night for me, I think. I had to chase Paul Butler at times and it was hard to nail him down, but Caballero will be there [in front of me].

“I think they’ll underestimate me, because people do, but I’ll be more than ready for him. I hope he brings his A-game because it’s going to be a really great fight. It’s going to be a war.”

Keep an eye on dennishobson.com for future updates on Hall vs.Caballero.

Kell Brook’s waiting game nearly over

Kell Brook (32-0) is finally close to the world title shot he has craved for years when he takes on Akron slickster Shawn Porter (24-0-1) in mid-August.

This will feel a long time coming for the undefeated Sheffield star that has held mandatory status with the IBF since his July 2012 battle with Carson Jones. But even longer since his 2010 WBO final eliminator win over the since retired Michael Jennings.

At the time, Kell was one of the hottest prospects in British boxing, yet deemed far too inexperienced for then champion Manny Pacquiao despite his 22-0 record. Brook raced through his first 22 overmatched opponents in just 79 rounds leaving his then promoter Frank Warren with no other option than to keep him away from the Filipino superstar.

Still void of real tests and opportunities Kell switched to the then expanding Matchroom Boxing stable headed up by promoter Eddie Hearn, with the promise of sterner tests and a path to a world title shot.

Knowing he would more than likely have to fight abroad to become champion, Kell Brook took his opportunity to fight on the Ward v Froch undercard at the Boardwalk Hall against tough Puerto Rican, Luis Galarza. Coming through this with a straightforward 5th round stoppage, he returned home to beat Matthew Hatton in a hard fought war of the roses, claiming WBA and IBF international honors at 147 pounds. With his IBF ranking improved a win over Carson Jones at home would make him Devon Alexander’s mandatory for the IBF Welterweight World Title. Kell took a close majority decision & the mandatory slot, in what turned out to be a war, over a tougher than expected Jones. With Alexander already tied to fight Randall Bailey in the brilliant Barclays Center, Brook took dangerous KO specialist Hector Saldivia on and gave him a dose of what the Argentine had dished out 32 times previously with a simple KO win.

Whispers of a superfight between Devon Alexander & P4P King Floyd Mayweather hampered the mandatory situation, and then further more with injuries to both Alexander and Brook saw the fight postponed 3 times. With Alexander fit and Kell nursing an injury, the champion eased to a stoppage win over the overmatched and overweight Lee Purdy. Kell later came back from a 9 month layoff to put his Carson Jones nightmare’s to bed with a much more convincing stoppage win in Hull.

Brook later had what was seen as his toughest test to date in a Vyacheslav Senchenko fresh from beating a returning, yet diminished, Ricky Hatton in Manchester. Kell showed supreme freshness with sharp accurate work early and later finished the Ukrainian inside the distance, validating his mandatory status for the IBF strap. Prior to this Alexander was granted a voluntary defense against undefeated, and underrated, Shawn Porter, with Brook promised the expected winner Alexander in the New Year. Things didn’t go Devon’s way and he dropped the title to Porter in a fair point’s decision, convoluting Kell’s mandatory situation further.

With Porter being the new champion, he defended his new title in a voluntary defense against Paulie Malignaggi before a set deadline with the guarantee Kell would be next. Porter breezed through Paulie in what proved to be a miss-match despite “The Magic Man’s” reputation. Negotiations for the mandatory defense instantly began with Kell securing his shot in California.

It still remains to be seen if Brook can live with the elite of the division, only beating 17 fighters with winning records as he reaches 10 years as a pro. Kell has always looked exceptional at the fringe level when being allowed to box; his jab is supreme with accuracy envied by most in his division. Taking 4 straight Ko’s into the fight will boost his confidence, at a level where respectable punch power is a must to stay on the front foot. He does have his flaws though. In their first fight, Carson Jones brought him into unknown territory and tested both Kell’s chin and heart. Kell got caught far too often and brought into waters he’d never previously swam. That was a test that he needed and one that he will never forget which could put him in good stead for his latest test.

A win across the pond for Kell will put him in a priceless position, opening doors he wouldn’t even touch the handle of at the moment. Porter has no options and no rematch clause with the winner even putting themselves in the window for the May 2015 Mayweather sweepstakes. Closer to home, a Kell Brook v Amir Khan fight could do exceptional figures both on the gate and PPV. Seeing what the domestic dust up achieved with Froch v Groves II, Brook v Khan with a title on the line in winter could do similar if not bigger numbers. Brook and Eddie Hearn have been desperate to make the fight for the last couple of years, with “King” Khan reluctant to face Kell while trying to manufacture his way into a fight with Mayweather. The money on the table and maybe the shot at Floyd in May being up for grabs should be too much for Khan to turn his nose at.

Brook and his Ingle team certainly believe he is up to the task. But this is still a test in the unknown. Will Kell Brook cope at the “elite” level? The long wait to see is nearly over.

- Tom Maudsley / @maudsley23

- Contributor to www.BehindtheGloves.com

Dennis Hobson nabs home fight for Stuart Hall’s vacant IBF title fight

In a major coup for British boxing, Yorkshire’s Dennis Hobson has beaten off the challenge from top American promoters Golden Boy Promotions to secure home advantage for Stuart Hall as he attempts to reclaim the IBF world bantamweight crown.

Darlington’s Hall lost the belt in his second defence against Paul Butler in June after being on the wrong end of a contentious split-decision verdict. However, with Butler subsequently relinquishing the title, Hall will now step straight back into the fold against top-rated American Randy Caballero after Hobson pulled off a master-stroke.

“We’ve been working really hard behind the scenes for the last six weeks,” explained Dennis, “and I’m absolutely buzzing. It’s been like a game of poker with Golden Boy, who really wanted the fight to take place in the States. But I’ve had a few cards up my sleeve and we’ve won the purse bids and secured another brilliant fight for the UK and for Stuart.

“It’s not been cheap but my relationship with Francis Warren and BoxNation is excellent and we’ve shown that we’re prepared to go that extra mile for our fighters and have pulled out all the stops to get home advantage. It’s now down to Stuart to do the business in the ring.

“The IBF is the best belt out there and this is a really meaningful fight. Caballero is a huge talent and for Stuart to be fighting at home,with a huge crowd behind him, could be a crucial factor. Other promoters aren’t prepared to push the boat out and plenty of British fighters have had to travel abroad and end up getting beaten.

“The tide is changing and Hobson Promotions, along with BoxNation and Queensberry, will be the major force in British boxing in the future.”

Caballero will be a huge challenge for Hall. The unbeaten American has knocked out 13 opponents in 21 wins, and secured victory away from home in Japan in his last fight in April. Hobson though believes the Californian will leave British shores empty handed.

“This is a really difficult fight for Stuart, but also a very exciting one. Caballero is seen as a future rising star by Golden Boy but I believe Stuart will be too strong and take him to places he’s never experienced.

“We’ll announce the date and venue for the fight soon, but I’d really like the whole of the North East to get behind their man.”

-PRESS RELEASE

Floyd Mayweather-Marcos Maidana Chicago press conference quotes & photos

CHICAGO (July 15, 2014) – The “MAYHEM” that is the Floyd Mayweather and Marcos Maidana cross-country promotional press tour took center stage in Chicago on Tuesday as both fighters resorted to creative tactics to get under their opponent’s skin as they announce their Sept. 13 rematch taking place at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, live on SHOWTIME PPV®.

Eleven-time world champion Mayweather refused to sit down as Maidana and his trainer, Robert Garcia, took their turn at the podium. Instead, he signed autographs for fans, taunted Garcia and chanted his signature line: “Hard work, dedication.”

Not to be outdone, Maidana and Garcia returned the favor when it was Mayweather’s turn on the dais, jetting off stage to greet a large group of “Chino” fans as they chanted “Ole.”

Tuesday afternoon’s event at Auditorium Theatre was the third stop on the five-city, open-to-the-public promotional tour, which continues Tuesday evening in San Antonio and Thursday in Los Angeles.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now and are priced at $1,600, $1,200, $850, $600 and $350, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets are limited to eight (8) per person with a limit of four (4) at the $350 price range. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Here’s what the participants had to say on Tuesday:

FLOYD MAYWEATHER, Eleven-Time, Five-Division World Champion
“Fighting is not all about power. It’s about being smart. I don’t have to change anything. My job is to go out there and do what I am paid to do – that’s be smart and finish first. And I always finish first.

“I’m going to do the same thing I always do. It’s about blood sweat and tears, and nobody does it better than me.

“I’ve had some bumps and bruises, but I always stay on top. His camp needs to make major changes if they want to have a chance.

“My hand got raised so I don’t need to make any adjustments. He needs to make some major changes and probably get a new trainer if he wants to have a chance against me.

“I have to watch this guy in there. He’s dirty.

“If he really feels like he won the first fight then he should bet his purse. He should put his money where his mouth is. But he knows he can’t beat me.

“My legacy and the will to win drives me to keep fighting. All I have to do is keep racking up victories and putting on a show.

“If you want to beat me you have to earn it the hard way.

“Why are we fighting again? Because the fans wanted it. I usually dominate my opponents or knock them out. But this guy won three or four rounds against me, and that never happens.

“It’s obvious he’s doing something right if he is facing me again and he won a few rounds from me. But the referee had a bad night last time. We forgive him but this is going to be a much cleaner fight. Note of those dirty rabbit punches or elbows.

“This is not a street fight; this is not an MMA fight. My health and my career after boxing is what’s important. He has a wife, he has children. I could hit this guy without gloves and he could never talk again. We use gloves to protect ourselves.

“It’s going to be another great showdown because I’m pretty sure he’s going to be ready and I’m always ready. We’re just going to give the fans what they want to see

“My back is always against the ropes no matter how it plays out in the sport of boxing. If I dominate a guy they say he’s over the hill. If I don’t knock a guy out they say he’s slow. I’m not just fighting my opponent, I’m fighting the world – the media, the critics, the haters. But it comes with the territory.

“I’m in this position for a reason so all I can do is go out there and be the best Floyd Mayweather. I just need to dominate, take my time and listen to the instructions that my father gives me.

“Robert Garcia is not the fighter, so he can say whatever he wants to say. It’s up to the fighter to get in there September 13 and show me what he can do.

“This is my era and I just might be on another level.”

MARCOS MAIDANA, Former WBA Welterweight World Champion
“I’m going to have to go for the knockout this time, I have no choice. Floyd’s defense is very good and at times it is hard to hit him. That’s why I want to knock him out.

“First, I’m going to give him a beating and then I’m going to knock him out. It’s going to be hard to get a decision because he connects well and knows how to score points.

“I’m going to make some technical adjustments, work on my distance and always pressure him. Our camp last time was great, but we just need to make minor adjustments to get the win.

“Floyd is trying to get under our skin, but it’s not going to work. We’re going to do our fighting in the ring and this time we’re going to win.

“Floyd is trying to make us lose our cool. He’s trying to make us angry so we break concentration. He does it on purpose because he wants to have the upper hand. But his comments don’t affect me at all.

“Floyd can say whatever he wants about me. He knows that I gave him the toughest fight of his life. The only difference is this time I will knock him out.

“This will be a different fight. He knows what I bring to the table and he knows how I fight. I don’t want to leave any doubt whatsoever. To beat a champion like Floyd you have to knock him out.

“I promise I’m going to put on a great fight and I’m going to shut his mouth. He doesn’t respect anything or anyone. He might have money, but he doesn’t have respect.

“He thinks he intimidates me? Nothing intimidates me. His talk can’t hurt me, his punches can’t hurt me. Come Sept. 13, he’ll be the one that’s hurt.

“One hundred percent the gloves made a difference in the last fight. The gloves I use are fit to my hand and are more comfortable. But the ones that I was forced to wear were not comfortable.

“But the bottom line is, this time I’m going to win with any glove that I wear.

“We only had five weeks of sparring and training camp last time. But in this camp we’ve already been in the gym for a week and we still have eight weeks to go. So we will be 100 percent ready for Sept. 13.

“The rematch was unexpected because I thought Floyd was not going to agree (to fight me). And then, one day out of the blue, I got word Floyd wanted to fight me again. By then I was already thinking I wasn’t going to fight again this year.

“For me, what’s really important here is to come out victorious. I come here to win and I don’t really care about money.

“I think many fighters are obsessed with Mayweather. Everybody wants to fight him because they get the chance to make history if they win. And I want to make history.”

ROBERT GARCIA, Maidana’s Trainer
“If Floyd thinks the last fight was tough, this fight is going to be even tougher.

“I retired 12 years ago, and I heard you talking about me and my fights. I know that you are going to bring up my fight with [Diego] Corrales –I have nothing to be ashamed of. I lost to a warrior. He was a great champion and I lost that fight with honor, not like a [expletive].

“If I fought like a [expletive] and acted like a [expletive] I’d still be undefeated. Floyd fights like a [expletive] and behaves like a [expletive].

“You’ve been bringing up stories about dirty fighting, dirty this, dirty that. Guess what? This fight is going to be rougher for you. You better be ready.

“You are going around telling Chino that you want to place a bet on this fight? Well, let’s do that bet right now. You want to put in conditions? Well, we have our conditions, too. Let’s do a bet where winner takes all. You have a lot of money. Winner takes all.

“It looks to me that you are not that sure that you are going to win. If you were, you would have shaken my hand and agreed to the bet if you were that confident you are going to win.”

Photos courtesy of Amanda Kwok / SHOWTIME.

-PRESS RELEASE

The repeat of what many are calling 11-time world champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather‘s toughest test to date against former WBA Welterweight World Champion Marcos “El Chino” Maidana willtake place Saturday, Sept. 13 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena live on SHOWTIME PPV^®.

Tickets for the live event are priced at $1,600, $1,200, $850, $600 and $350, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets are limited to eight (8) per person with a limit of four (4) at the $350 price range. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.  Tickets also are available at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

With only one day left until tickets go on sale for this mega-fight, check out these facts about Floyd Mayweather and MGM Grand*.

• Mayweather’s last nine fights have taken place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, including the May 3 first meeting of Mayweather and Maidana.
• Mayweather’s September 2013 fight against Canelo Alvarez broke the Nevada boxing gross gate record of more than $20 million.
• Mayweather has participated in three of the five biggest boxing gates in Nevada history, and seven of the 20 biggest boxing gates in the sport’s history.
• “THE MOMENT: Mayweather vs. Maidana” was the fourth largest boxing gate in Nevada history

*Facts from Nevada State Athletic Commission official website

“MAYHEM: Mayweather vs. Maidana 2″, a 12-round world championship bout for Mayweather’s 147-pound titles taking place Saturday, Sept. 13 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra. The event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV and is the fourth fight of a lucrative six-fight deal with Showtime Networks Inc.

For more information go to, visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.sports.sho.com and www.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @chinomaidana, @mayweatherpromo, @GoldenBoyBoxing, @ShoSports and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #­­­­­­­­Mayhem and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FloydMayweather, www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOboxing.

- PRESS RELEASE

LAS VEGAS (July 14, 2014) – After landing more punches and connecting with a higher percentage, Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara (19-2-2, 12 KOs) feels he was robbed in his fight with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (44-1-1, 31 KOs) that took place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas this past weekend.

Fact, Lara landed 107 total punches to Alvarez’s 97 and had a higher connect percentage (28% Lara – 23% Alvarez).  The body shots that Alvarez landed were grazing shots that Lara blocked with his elbows, and most of them came in the round he got cut.

Erislandy sounds off on why he feels he won the fight and deserves an immediate rematch.

“Before the decision was announced, I felt 100% confident I won the fight,” said Lara. “The facts don’t lie, I landed more total punches.   Looking at it from the punch stats, you’re supposed score based on clean and effective blows landed.  Most of the shots that Canelo landed were body blows that didn’t even land cleanly, and most of them came in the round where I got cut.  All my punches were clean shots.  I out jabbed him and boxed his ears off.  The punch stats don’t lie…there is no way I lost to Canelo.”

“I’m very disappointed in Judge Levi Martinez for his horrendous score. How in the world did he score it 117-111? Before the decision was announced, I stood across the ring and saw Team Canelo and their body language said it all.  You could see the depression in their eyes.  Everyone on their whole team had a look of despair because they were defeated.  When the final score was read, their look went from despair to relief.  They knew they lost the fight, period.”

“Levi definitely needs to be investigated and he should never be appointed to judge a big fight again. I’m not sure if he’s dishonest or inept to be judging at this level, either way he needs to be reprimanded for this horrible decision. This is the second time this has happened to me and I wouldn’t want to see this happen to someone else. Like what happen to the judges in New York in the Williams fight, Levi should be suspended.  I left communist Cuba to escape corruption and now I see it happening here in the boxing world.”

“Oscar De La Hoya said that I have to wait in line to fight Alvarez again because there are 10 others ahead of me.  That speaks volumes because he knows Canelo got a gift.” Lara concluded. “Who are these 10 guys he’s talking about…I want to know.  I won this fight and a rematch needs to happen right away.”

- PRESS RELEASE

Canelo Alvarez won a controversial twelve round split decision over Erislandy Lara in front of a raucous crowd at the MGM Grand on Saturday night. Two judges favored the aggression of Canelo over Lara’s more precise but lower volume effort. Scores were 115-113 both ways and 117-111 for Canelo, a score that was reviled by media and fans alike.

Lara befuddled Canelo at times, landing crisp straight lefts and 1-2 combinations often. Canelo grew visibly frustrated as he fought Lara’s fight. At some points, Lara didn’t work for 30 seconds at a time and Canelo got credited for work that wasn’t 100% effective.

It was a close fight that was one or two points either way. The fight played out similarly to one between Canelo’s mentor Oscar De La Hoya and all-time great defensive wizard Pernell Whitaker. De La Hoya escaped with his perfect record though many felt Whitaker deserved the nod.

-Mark E. Ortega / @MarkEOrtega

-Managing editor at www.BehindTheGloves.com

Could Tomoki Kameda’s timing be perfect?

It was just this February that Tomoki Kameda was looking down on his luck. The 22-year old undefeated WBO bantamweight champion (and youngest of the three Kameda brothers) saw his career threatened just based solely on his bloodline.

The Kameda family gym in Japan suspended and their license to run a gym revoked, leaving Tomoki, Daiki, and Koki’s careers in uncertainty. Daiki and Koki as well as their father had been central to many improprieties in Japan over the course of the championship runs of Daiki and Koki, but Tomoki was never a party to them.

Not having a license meant none of the brothers had a license to fight in Japan. Tomoki (29-0) had just in the previous year became a world champion, and all of a sudden, his career was off the tracks.

Tomoki spent much of his time training in Mexico, he even speaks Spanish rather well. Perhaps that is part of the reason that this Saturday, Kameda will earn $60,000 defending his title against experienced Thai Pungluang Sor Singyu, who earns $40,000, on the Canelo Alvarez-Erislandy Lara card in Las Vegas.

Though it is a quality world title bout, Kameda’s fight won’t be on the Showtime pay-per-view broadcast, but instead during the countdown show that precedes the main telecast. Kameda has a fan-friendly style and turns 23 on the day of the fight. An impressive win could be the best birthday present he’s ever given himself, because with the immediate future in Japan in doubt, exposure in the American market could be coming at the right time.

A win Saturday and at 23 it wouldn’t be insurmountable to think he could compete with longtime bantamweight titlist Anselmo Moreno, who is just starting to slip just a bit from his best days. Moreno has been exposed to US television audiences a handful of times and could be a fight that could launch Kameda as the next Asian star.

Without question, Tomoki is the best of the three siblings. He has a nice mix of boxing skills and warrior mentality, has charisma and crossover appeal. Though 118 isn’t extremely deep at present moment, Kameda could grow into 122 sooner than later.

The year 23 could be the most memorable for Tomoki Kameda yet.

-Mark E. Ortega / @MarkEOrtega

Floyd Mayweather-Marcos Maidana rematch back in Las Vegas

In May, Argentina’s Marcos Maidana pushed Floyd Mayweather to the brink of defeat for the first time since Mayweather tangled with Jose Luis Castillo in the early part of the century. It was announced that Mayweather and Maidana will do it again, as the two return to the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Sept. 13.

It was also announced that despite Mayweather’s initial reaction to the resignation of Richard Schaefer at Golden Boy Promotions, the company will co-promote Mayweather’s fight again.

Most pay-per-view insiders have placed May’s buy rate at somewhere in the 850,000 to 900,000 range, but people are optimistic this fight will do better due to the competitiveness of the last bout.

Maidana took the fight to Mayweather as was effective for much of the first half of the fight before Mayweather’s superior ring IQ took over. Still, Mayweather barely escaped with his perfect record intact.

-Mark E. Ortega / @MarkEOrtega

-Managing editor at www.BehindTheGloves.com

Photo courtesy of Rich Graessle / Main Events

Sergey Kovalev responds to Bernard Hopkins

Ft. Lauderdale, FL: As Sergey Kovalev (24-0-1, 22 KOs) prepares to defend his WBO Light Heavyweight World Title against Blake Caparello on August 2nd on HBO Boxing After Dark from Revel Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ, the media is buzzing about the possibility of a unification fight between Krusher and IBF/WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Bernard Hopkins (55-6-2, 32 KOs).

In a recent interview with BoxingScene.com, Hopkins called out Kovalev saying, “I got two titles and a legacy. What’s Kovalev got? A punch and a WBO title – let’s do it.” He added, “The perception is, is that Kovalev is a killer and [Adonis] Stevenson doesn’t want to fight him, he wants to fight an old man. If that’s the case, I’ll knock off Kovalev first, because I believe that I can beat him. I believe that he’s a tough fight, but I believe that I can beat him. It’s a fight where if I make a mistake I can get knocked out. And yeah Bernard Hopkins can get knocked out too, and so can Kovalev and so can Stevenson, who’s been knocked out once in his career.”

Hopkins, of course, is referring to the planned title unification fight on HBO between WBO Champion Kovalev and WBC Champion Adonis Stevenson, which was scuttled when Stevenson and his Promoter chose to take a path avoiding Kovalev. That decision is now the subject of ongoing litigation.

Kovalev was predictably peeved when Stevenson called off their planned fight. He would especially relish the opportunity to face the legendary Hopkins before Stevenson gets the chance, though he remains circumspect. Kovalev said, “All I want to do is fight the best. I wanted to fight Stevenson but he ran away. I would get in the ring with Bernard Hopkins right now! Any time, any place! But who knows? Maybe he’s just trying to get more money from Showtime? So, I am focused on preparing for my fight on HBO on August 2nd and after we’ll see if Hopkins will really get in the ring with me.”

Main Events CEO Kathy Duva added, “After reading Bernard’s comments to BoxingScene.com, I immediately reached out to all of the parties potentially involved on the Hopkins side to try to make the fight happen. But what I heard from all of them is ‘I don’t know,’ including when I asked who would represent Bernard in negotiations. If Bernard Hopkins truly wants to fight Sergey Kovalev, I know we can make a deal. Like Sergey, we will focus on our preparations for his title fight against Blake Caparello on August 2nd, while Hopkins sorts out his promotional situation.”

About Kovalev vs. Caparello:

The WBO Light Heavyweight World Championship between Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev, (24-0-1, 22 KOs) and Blake “Il Capo” Caparello (19-0-1, 6 KOs) is on Saturday, August 2nd at Revel Casino Hotel in Atlantic, City, NJ. The fight will be telecast as part of a split-site triple-header on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 9:45 PM ET/PT. The event is presented by Main Events in association with DiBella Entertainment. Tickets prices are $55, $80, $160 and $250. They are available at ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000. Doors open at 6:30 PM and the HBO Boxing After Dark special triple header split site telecast begins at 9:45 PM.

-PRESS RELEASE