By Mark Vester
Lovemore Ndou is slated to defend his IBF junior welterweight title against unbeaten Demetrius Hopkins in June. Ndou, tells the Daily Telegraph that Hopkins has bitten off a lot more than he can chew by taking the fight. He feels that Hopkins has been protected by Golden Boy Promotions and his uncle, Bernard Hopkins, who is a partner in the promotional company.
"He's a protected species who hasn't fought anybody with my power, mobility and endurance and I'll beat him up," said Ndou. He's a part of the Golden Boy stable and his uncle has made sure he hasn't been exposed to anybody dangerous ... until now. Hopkins has been lulled into a false sense of security by the opponents who have been spoon fed to him. Now he'll have no place to hide. I'm the champion and this is just another step for me on the road to Ricky Hatton."
Ndou knows it won't be easy, but he predicts a knockout win in the end.
"It won't be easy because Hopkins is the No.2 IBF contender and I will have to stop him or I'm sure the verdict will go against me. I'm already working on a strategy to beat him. He thinks he's ready for me, but he's not. I'm getting stronger with age and with each fight. I don't care who they put in front of me ... I will beat them all up. He's another version of Ben Rabah. And we all know what happened to him (Ndou Kknocked out Rabah in the 11th round of their February bout).
The road to Hatton is indeed what Ndou is hoping to walk if he can beats Hopkins in June. Ndou was named the IBF junior welterweight champion after Hatton vacated the title after he agreed to a June bout with Jose Luis Castillo, rather than make a mandatory defense against Ndou.
Ndou feels Hatton is avoiding him because he's ready for the taking.
"Hatton is avoiding me because he knows he'll get smashed up but he won't run forever when he realises how much the fight could be worth to him," Ndou said. "I'll fight him anywhere. Going into his backyard in England won't be a problem. Hatton beat Kostya Tszyu because Kostya was ready for the taking, now Ricky Hatton is ready for the taking. He's done nothing in his three fights since then and has copped a lot of punishment in his career. He's a one-dimensional fighter whereas I come equipped with special effects."
