Hopkins, Vitali on Frazier; Bellew-McKenzie 3?; Mike Jones
Hopkins on Frazier
PHILADELPHIA -After learning of the death of boxing legend Joe Frazier on Monday, fellow Philadelphia native and two-time middleweight and current light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins shared his thoughts on the famed champion's passing.
"My reaction was I expected it to come, but the denial of it coming is something that people that know Joe and have been around him tried to block out. It was not shocking, because I knew he had been sick for a while, but now it is real and he is really not here with us anymore.
"Ali and Joe Frazier's rivalry is the king of all rivalries. You cannot mention Ali's name without Frazier, and you cannot mention Frazier without Ali. Their three fights were the three most exciting fights of the century. Joe is a person who will never be imitated or emulated. His legacy in boxing will never be duplicated, especially during his era. There will be only one Smokin' Joe Frazier.
"To be a fighter with a ring name such as Smokin', you're taking a big risk because you must be smokin' with that famous left hook, and he was. His legacy in the city of Philadelphia is up there with the greats, maybe even surpassing the 76ers' Dr. J (Julius Erving).
"He had great discipline and a strong will to win. Joe Frazier is an icon, and he will always be remembered that way. My condolences to the entire Frazier family. It's a very sad day in Philadelphia and all over the world."
Vitali Talks Frazier
“My brother Wladimir and I are very sad to hear that Joe Frazier has passed away. He was one of the greatest heavyweight champions of all times. I am very proud to have the same title that Joe once had. His three fights against Muhammad Ali are classics in sports history. Joe has done a lot for the sport of boxing – as a champion as well as through his social involvement. Our thoughts are with his family,” said Vitali Klitschko, WBC World Heavyweight Champion
McKenzie-Bellew Trilogy?
Ovill McKenzie aims to regain the Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight title this Friday (11th November) in Halifax and then wants a rubber match with Tony Bellew.
The heavy-handed Jamaican, now based in Derby, takes on Welshman Jeff Evans at the Northbridge Leisure Centre, live on BoxNation (Sky Platform Ch. 456).
McKenzie held the title in 2006 when he beat Peter Haymer, but lost the title to Dean Francis in his first defence.
He was involved in a thriller with Bellew in December for the Commonwealth title when he dropped the Scouser twice before he was stopped in the eighth round.
In the rematch in July, Bellew boxed smart and stayed away from McKenzie's bombs to win on points.
"This is a great chance to get back to the top of my game again," Said McKenzie.
"I've got the experience and power to beat Evans and then I want the rematch with Bellew straight away,"
"You saw what happened in the first fight, then in the second he didn't want to get involved with me because he knew what was going to happen,"
"First I've got to beat Evans on Friday night who's going to be a tough fight for me."
The show, promoted by Frank Warren in association with Wayne Carmichael Promotions, will also feature the return of former British Heavyweight Champion Dereck Chisora in a six-round contest.
Also on the undercard will be Liam Patrick Walsh, Tyrone Nurse, Alistair Burt Warren, Jason McCalmon, Shazad Hussein, Scott Gladwin, Essie Mestry and Richard Bitner.
Mike Jones Picks KO
Philadelphia, PA—Undefeated welterweight contender Mike Jones, of Philadelphia, PA, who faces two-time world title challenger Sebastian Lujan, of Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina, in an IBF world title eliminator on the Miguel Cotto-Antonio Margarito card on Dec. 3 at Madison Square Garden, feels that this weekend’s Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez fight will end in a knockout.
“I think somebody’s going to get knocked out,” said Jones, who is ranked No. 1 by the WBO and in line to fight Pacquiao next year if he (Jones) gets by Lujan. “It’s going to be a great war, but somebody’s going to go down and stay down. Both of those guys got bigger, got stronger – obviously Pacquiao got bigger and stronger. I believe it’s going to be a great fight for the fans.”
