Hopkins-Murat in Talks For Showtime on October 19

Published

By Rick Reeno

Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer advised BoxingScene.com that IBF light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins (53-6-2, 32KOs) will defend his title against mandatory challenger Karo Murat (25-1-1, 15KOs) on October 19th at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

The fight was previously scheduled for July 13th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The new October date will land in Atlantic City.

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Murat had visa issues, which led to the cancellation of the July date. When the fight fell out, the IBF named Sergery Kovalev as the mandatory challenger. But then Kovalev accepted a fight with WBO champion Nathan Cleverly on August 17 in Wales

Following Kovalev's decision, and Murat's ability to obtain a visa, the IBF placed the German fighter back in the mandatory spot.

Although Showtime was previously on board to televise the fight in July, a deal has not been reached with the network on the new October date. Both sides are negotiating.

"We're in discussions with Golden Boy regarding that fight. Nothing has been agreed yet but our conversations are ongoing," said Stephen Espinoza, VP of Showtime Sports, to BoxingScene.com.

Schaefer is hopeful that a deal will be reached once he returns from a business trip in Dubai.

"That is correct [there is no agreement yet]. I'll be having conversations with Stephen when I'm back [from Dubai]," Schaefer said to BoxingScene.com.