I guess the contract has officially been signed. from boxing central:

Undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins will face undefeated middleweight heir apparent Jermain Taylor in a fight being billed as “NeXt in Line” on Saturday, July 16 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The championship card will be presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment and televised and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9pmEST/6:00pmPST. “Bernard Hopkins has always done things his own way, and this fight is no exception,” said Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “At a time when most champions would waltz into retirement against easier opponents, Bernard is taking on the toughest available challengers, and making the final fights of his career the most meaningful.”

It’s a classic boxing match-up where Hopkins, the veteran warrior blessed with experience and skills that has lead to a record-setting 20 straight title defenses, takes on Taylor, the enthusiastic upstart, who many boxing insiders believe is heir apparent to Hopkins’ throne.

"Hopkins-Taylor is a significant crossroads fight between an undisputed world champion determined to cement his legacy and a rising star who is ready to challenge for the throne," said Mark Taffet, HBO Senior Vice President of Sports Operations & Pay-Per-View.

"Boxing fans will not want to miss this important event."

For Hopkins, Taylor is just next—next in a long line of pugilist who have tried and failed to upset his throne. “Jermain Taylor has the skill and talent to become middleweight champion of the world one day,” said Hopkins.

“It’s just that the day won’t be July 16.”

The young Taylor views it differently. “Yes I am next,” said Taylor. “The next middleweight champion of the world.”

Bernard Hopkins (46-2-1, 32 KOs) is already assured a place in the Boxing Hall of Fame thanks to his ten-year reign atop the middleweight division and his amazing record. An old-school warrior who is the epitome of a Philadelphia fighter, the 40-year-old “Executioner” is one of the rare fighters who just gets better and better with age. In his last bout, on February 19, Hopkins scored a dominating 12 round decision win over highly ranked British contender Howard Eastman. Hopkins, who has publicly stated he will retire upon his 41st birthday next January is ready for a hectic career finale that begins with Taylor.

“I give credit to Jermain for accepting this challenge,” ” said Hopkins.

“Unfortunately for him, he will not stop me from finishing out my career the way I’ve always done things – my way.”

Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor (23-0, 17 KOs) is a 2000 US Olympic Bronze Medalist who has carried that success with him into the professional ranks. A versatile boxer with a stiff jab and thudding power, the 26-year-old resident of Little Rock, Arkansas has defeated former world champion William Joppy. His defeat over Raul "El Diamante" Marquez at the Home Depot Center in Carson City and his spectacular victory over previously unbeaten Daniel Edouard at the Staples Center in Los Angeles last February made him the most logical contender for Hopkins WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO titles.

“Bernard Hopkins is a great champion and I have a lot of respect for him,” said Taylor.

“But I will not respect him once the bell rings. I have waited for this moment for my entire life, and I won’t be denied on July 16. If Bernard won’t pass the torch, I’ll just take it from him.”

A world-class undercard for “NeXt in Line” will be announced shortly.

Like Taylor, Respect Hopkins..
Hoping for Taylor to finally stop B-Hop, being realistic another Hopkins win

I hope that B hope will be put to the test but i think he's just taking another fight he knows he can win with ease

This is not a PPV worthy card.

I'm probably in the minority here but I am rooting for Hopkins, what with me being from Philly and all.

i would love too see what would happen to hopkins when a boxers rushes him with punchers.

This is going to be tough for Bhop, Taylor is a monster at middleweight. He has speed, a shot gun jab, and power to match. Hopkins is going to do his dance rountine for the first 6 rounds but i think if Taylor catches him he is in trouble. I am taking the upset Taylor Ko in 9

Taylor will stop Hopkins. B-Hops is gettin old and Jermaine Taylor won't do a "Trinidad" when he fights Hopkins. Jermain will pressure Hopkins.

I dunno, I wouldn't say hopkins has shown his age in his last fight. However, I know it only takes one fight to show a significant deterioration, and I'm praying it won't kick in until after his next and last fight. I won't be able to take a b-hop loss.

I can't see Hopkins being KO'd, I just can't. I still think Nard pulls out a close, but controversial, decision in this fight. Think back, when was the last time Hopkins hit the canvas? *****, Roy in his prime couldn't drop him. The only fighter to ever drop him was Mercado and that was back in 1994.

Taylor, on the other hand, hasn't been tested yet. I think he'll rush Hopkins being all young, dumb, and full of cum and will win most of the early rounds but Hopkins, being the experienced fighter he is, will pull out the victory with a mid-round turn around and might even drop Taylor in the 5th or 6th before taking him the distance.

I dunno, I wouldn't say hopkins has shown his age in his last fight. However, I know it only takes one fight to show a significant deterioration, and I'm praying it won't kick in until after his next and last fight. I won't be able to take a b-hop loss.

doo, last Hopkins fight was garbage. Aging will show if you put a pressure fighter against him. Jermain will stop Hopkins in my opinion. Hopkins isn't so confident to beat Taylor. I mean, he's already asking for a rematch in case he loses.

It wasn't that entertaining, but garbage? how so?

I can't see Hopkins being KO'd, I just can't. I still think Nard pulls out a close, but controversial, decision in this fight. Think back, when was the last time Hopkins hit the canvas? *****, Roy in his prime couldn't drop him. The only fighter to ever drop him was Mercado and that was back in 1994.

Taylor, on the other hand, hasn't been tested yet. I think he'll rush Hopkins being all young, dumb, and full of cum and will win most of the early rounds but Hopkins, being the experienced fighter he is, will pull out the victory with a mid-round turn around and might even drop Taylor in the 5th or 6th before taking him the distance.

nah doo. the way I see it, Hopkins hasn't really faced anyone tough in his past recent years. Sure, he gets the W all the time, but against who? Jermain Taylor aint Eastman, Jermain aint Robert Allen. Jermain will put Hopkins in a tight spot and age will be a factor in this fight. Like I said, age shows up when a fighter is pit against a fighter who don't stop punchin. Taylor will stop Bernard in the late rounds. It won't surprise me neither if he stops him early.

It wasn't that entertaining, but garbage? how so?

i dunno, but the "boooos" from the crowd told me so. I was booin too actually.

"fighters get old waiting for hopkins to get old"

taylor is done. what is he doing to do when hes actually in the ring with a man his size? what does taylor have that hopkins doesnt do better. this kid is DONE.

http://gamma.applepics.com/5/userfiles/416abab42d58d.gif

Well, a lot of people picked Eastman in February... people are definitely waiting for Hop to hang it up for some reason, not sure why. Even if most of his fights are said to be boring, I can still appreciate the skills of the man, and his awesome d.

i agree with the last two, everyone is saying bhop is old and ****, but what about taylor? I think h e is too young and inexperienced for hopkins. EXPERIENCE is the key word.

I dont see how beating an Eastman gives us any idea where Hopkins is really at.

"fighters get old waiting for hopkins to get old"

taylor is done. what is he doing to do when hes actually in the ring with a man his size? what does taylor have that hopkins doesnt do better. this kid is DONE.

http://gamma.applepics.com/5/userfiles/416abab42d58d.gif

Taylor is bigger, stronger, and younger. He also is hungry i smell upset.

What is everyone's undercard forecasts/thoughts?

Witter may be prominently featured, and a slew of Golden Boy prospects, maybe Ponce De Leon fights again...

I'm not very familiar with GBP's top prospects, any chance we'll see big prospect vs. big prospect on this card?

Being from Little Rock, I can't help but hope for the best for Taylor. Win or Lose, I know he has done Little Rock proud. Being a boxing fan, I think he is going to finally stop the B-Hop.....or maybe it's the EA cover curse.