X always keeps changing back and fourths and he set a deadline for Taylor last time. It seems like Taylor wants the fight and X is bull****ing. I think X just likes to hand pick his fights and is getting worried about fighting a talented young "real" middelweight instead of these blownup guys. Check this out


Last update: 04-08-2005 Submitted by Rick Reeno



Proposed Hopkins-Taylor Fight Falls Apart Says DiBella and Hopkins E-mail this to a friend Printable version



By Rick Reeno

Bernard Hopkins has until today to sign for the July 16th clash with undefeated middleweight star Jermain Taylor or the fight is off. DiBella told Arkansas Democrat-Gazette writer Chris Givens that he is giving Hopkins until the end of the day to call him and set the fight

DiBella told the paper that an offer has already been made to Felix Sturm to take the place of Hopkins as Jermain's next opponent, but said that it is very unlikely that Sturm will agree to the fight. The likely opponents that will clash with Jermain in July are Sam Soliman or fringe title holder Maselino Masoe.

"He’s a lunatic fighter that changed his mind. If I don’t get a phone call today that the crazy man has come to his senses, we’re moving on to another fight and will announce Jermain’s next fight soon. I’m not going to let this nut Bernard Hopkins wreck Jermain’s career." said Lou DiBella.

The main issue of why the deal has fallen apart is a dispute over the financial terms of the rematch clause. DiBella and Hopkins promoter Golden Boy have twice agreed to the terms and twice Bernard Hopkins changed his mind on the terms. Hopkins spoke about the fight negotations on ESPN and said that the Taylor camp is to blame for the fight not becoming a reality.

"They want to put the blame on Bernard Hopkins but you can’t have your cake and eat it too. Do I need Jermain Taylor or does he need Bernard Hopkins? I am the undisputed champion and he can’t change that unless he beats me. I don’t need him. But I am giving him an opportunity to whip my a**. That’s the best I can do. If he don’t want that opportunity, that’s not my fault." said Hopkins to ESPN

"Twice I made deals with Richard Schaefer and twice Bernard changed his mind. At this point we’re not going to answer to Hopkins’ marching orders. He is the most unpromotable fighter in modern boxing history, and I should know because I was his promoter once. He just doesn’t want to fight Jermain Taylor. We still want the fight so if something happens today, I’ll sign it. That being said, I’m not optimistic and by tomorrow I’m on another agenda." said DiBella to Givens

X and scared of nothing. He is a bad ass mother ****ing pirate who hasn't been scared of nuthing for 20 years. He learned to box in prison *****es.

To be honest with you mate... This fight ain't even ON yet.

Maybe X is scared. Maybe he is scared of not making big money or maybe he is scared of losing, or both. Maybe he is turning into a money-whore like he seemed to have avoided all his career. I cannot say for sure but it's going to be disappointing if he doesn't take the fight. Maybe he knows he's about to lose it (his hold on p4p lists).

Avoiding Taylor and being scared of losing to Roy are 2 different things. Hops has no reason 2 be scared of Taylor if he is as good as he says he is.

On the other hand, I can understand cuz if he loses people will say he is a bum and his legacy is tarnished, which is bull**** of course.

Hopkins fears no man

That 24hr deadline he gave Taylor was BS he didn't want Taylor to take the fight, now that Taylor took the challenge, Nard looking for a way out...

I don't know, there might be more politics involved in this that we don't know about. Either way if this fight doesn't go through I will be very disapointed. I was really looking forward to seeing these two throw hands at each other.

hopkins is worried, i was actually surprised that this fight was going to be made cause hopkins hasnt fought a good middle since tito

you guys r joking taylor and is whole camp is scared.

I don`t think Hopkins is scared, i mean this is a guy who whopped Tito right? I think Hopkins wised up! The Taylor fight is meaningless. If he beats Taylor he`d have done what is expected. If he losses then there goes his title. This isn`t the big money fight that this type of risk demands. Taylor is good hungry middleweight without a superstar status. This type of fighter SHOULD be avoided. There are bigger fish with less style out there!

Who can Taylor fight in the meantime to become worthy of a shot? I doubt a victory over Felix Sturm will make Taylor's star shine any brighter. If Taylor isnt worthy now, then hows he ever going to get a shot at Hopkins?

Hopkins says - Either 60-40 for the rematch or the $2 million. I think if you compare what I am offering Taylor, who is not a gold medal winner or a bigger name than I am, and compare the offer to a Roy Jones negotiation, I think I am being extremely fair.

Obviously Taylor is nowhere near Roy Jones status now, but we're talking about taylor's status should he defeat Hopkins and a rematch be made. I think Taylor star would be shining pretty damn bright should be defeat Hopkins.

you guys r joking taylor and is whole camp is scared.
why would he be scared, he has nothing to lose- if he losses so what it was to bernard hopkins but if he wins he is set for life

Hopkins needs to go ahead and fight this guy. He doesn't have much longer left before he retires so he needs to fight some talented opposition and Taylor is seen by many as one of number 1 up and comers. I mean, on the real though, who else is there better for him to fight right now? Hopkins is my favorite, but boo @ this dude if he doesn't take this fight.

If he doesn't though, I hope Taylor takes a fight wit Felix Sturm cus I think he should get another opportunity to get known.

Hopkins is a warrior

^^^No doubt he can be when he wants to. But he's in the last days of his career, he needs to find himself some appealing fights with talented opposition. Big thumbs down if he ends his career like this.

Hopkins,Hopkins and Hopkins.Is a great champ.

I think hopkins is doing this to hype up the fight, so that when it does happen it will sell big after him beating taylor he may call it quits