Tavoris Cloud: I Would Love To Defeat Bernard Hopkins

by Luis Sandoval

Recently, IBF Light Heavyweight champion Tavoris "Thunder" Cloud made his return to BoxingScene.com's official audio show - "The Boxing Lab" -and spoke about his upcoming fight and his thoughts on the current state of the 175 pound division.

Last year Cloud had his scheduled December 31st fight with undefeated Zsolt Erdei cancelled when Erdei was injured and a suitable replacement could not be found. Fortunately for Cloud, he is now headlining a Showtime card in Corpus Christi, TX on February 18th where he will make the fourth defense of his title against Gabriel Campillo. Cloud, who has a fan friendly style which always provides action, still feels he needs to put on a show and make a statement when he faces Campillo.

"All of my fights I feel I need to put a stamp on them. By me doing that, I think I'll get the fan base that I really need to convince these other champions to get inside of the ring with me" explained Cloud. "So yes, I feel pressure to put on a good show for the people because I love the people. It's the type of fighter I am".

Even though Cloud holds a world title and has an exciting fighting style, a big fight with a big name has always eluded him. It's no secret Cloud is frustrated from not being able to secure fights with other champions or significant names in the lightweight heavyweight division. He's always been about fighting the best but he feels the rest of the guys he wants to fight don't share his same sentiment.

"One of the most disappointing things in boxing for me was to find out that boxing was not the way I always pictured it or the way I hoped it would be: and that is the best fight the best. There's four belts so we all should be trying to unify. I think these guys bring up every excuse in the book [not to fight me]" said the Florida native.

"I think the truth of the matter is that these guys, they're going to get hurt. I'm going to hurt somebody. I don't even call what I do boxing. I feel like I'm a modern day gladiator and these guys know that."

A fight Cloud had expressed a lot of interest in before was a potential fight with WBC champion Bernard Hopkins who just recently agreed to rematch Chad Dawson. Cloud was asked if a fight with Hopkins was still the fight he'd like above all the rest.

"Yeah, I'd still like to fight Bernard Hopkins. He's considered one of the greatest fighters to ever live or however they want to say it. I would just love to defeat him. I really would".

First Cloud has to take care of Gabriel Campillo in order to keep his plans going and try to lure the big names into the ring.

You can follow Luis Sandoval on Twitter @Truewest007. You can also tune in to The Boxing Lab, Boxingscene’s official audio show every Tuesday from 6-8PM PST with hosts Ernest Gabion, Luis Sandoval, and Ryan Burton.