Hopkins plans for January goodbye party

[!! Mr. Soprano]

yahoo.com

PHILADELPHIA, United States (AFP) - Bernard Hopkins plans to have a farewell fight in January just after he turns 41 whether or not he reclaims the undisputed middleweight boxing crown from unbeaten Jermain Taylor on Saturday. Hopkins, who lost the crown to Taylor in a controversial July split decision, told the Philadelphia Inquirer he planned on fulfilling a fight telecast date in January in what might be more of a farewell bash than fight. "I got two contractual dates - this one and one at the end of January. I'm going to use those two dates," Hopkins told his hometown newspaper. "January, it might be one of those fights where I ask you to shave and get ready. And I'm going to close it out with that. Big celebration. "I'll come out in front of a packed audience and thank them, and leave out of there like Ray Robinson did - Madison Square Garden, white robe, 'Sugar Ray' written on the back. But in my way. It will be 'My Way' in black letters." Hopkins hopes to go out a winner and a champion and indicated that Saturday's showdown with fellow American Taylor in Las Vegas would be the final meaningful bout for his legacy. "This is the only fight that means something, so, yes, as far as how meaningful this fight is, this is the last fight," Hopkins said.

[Kimmy]

Very confused by this. He is fighting Taylor on Saturday, he isn't gonna fight in janurary. So what Hopkins is saying is that Taylor is his last fight!

[!! Mr. Soprano]

"I got two contractual dates"
With who? Himself, Oscar and Shane?

Theat kind of sounds gay.. "Oscar, Bernard, and Shane at The Golden Boy Production" LOL

[kallsop]

He's saying the January farewell fight will be against an easy opponent, and Taylor is his last real fight.

[Bombardier]

Ray Robinson didn't actually fight at that farewell appearance, he just stepped into the ring and people applauded him. But it sounds like Hopkins is planning on a fight. Hey, maybe he'll take on Allen again, just for old times' sake, lol.

[!! Mr. Soprano]

Very confused by this. He is fighting Taylor on Saturday, he isn't gonna fight in janurary. So what Hopkins is saying is that Taylor is his last fight!

I guess his last "meaningful bout" will be against Taylor, but win/or lose he will destroy some can and leave with a ****!

[!! Mr. Soprano]

Ray Robinson didn't actually fight at that farewell appearance, he just stepped into the ring and people applauded him. But it sounds like Hopkins is planning on a fight. Hey, maybe he'll take on Allen again, just for old times' sake, lol.

Come on, do you think DLH will miss a PPV opportunity?

[Bombardier]

Come on, do you think DLH will miss a PPV opportunity?

Are you saying that a fight with Allen wouldn't be Golden Boy PPV material? I have two words for you then: Mzonke Fana .

[theironone]

beating taylor this weekend is his last proper fight, his january bout will be a glorified sparring session, hel pick a bum or pay a nameish good money to make hopkins look good, hel do every trick he knows then probably ko the guy then its bye bye grandad

[oldgringo]

Give us Hopkins/Joppy II as a going away present!