By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer says the ageless warrior Bernard “The Executioner’ Hopkins and classy southpaw Winky Wright are in “tremendous shape” and ready for what could be an epic battle on Sunday which will be telecast “live” over the giant Philippine broadcast network ABS-CBN.
On the undercard Filipino southpaw and reigning WBO Asia Pacific lightweight champion Czar Amonsot clashes with exciting and hard-hitting Australian WBO world champion Michael Katisidis while popular Oscar Larios who went the distance with Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao in July last year at the Araneta Coliseum takes on undefeated Venezuelan Jorge Linares, the current WBC featherweight interim champion.
Newly-crowned IBF flyweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire who is scheduled to arrive in Manila on Saturday will be special guest in the studios of ABS-CBN during the fight coverage.
Schaefer told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, shortly after the fighters arrived in Las Vegas that “the fight is for pride. Both fighters truly want it and they will give it their all.” Schaefer disclosed that the odds at the sportsbook at the Mandalay Bay still has Hopkins as the underdog.
The Golden Boy CEO said Hopkins will “try to make it a point and make it clear who is the best in any weight over 160 pounds by trying to knock out Winky. Will be interesting.”
