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The new year is being touted as one of best for boxing in several years. Numerous key bouts have been set on the boxing calendar and superstars of the sport are taking chances against top-flight opposition.
In one of the more important bouts of the year, in terms of boxing history and fan anticipation, former middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins will move up two weight divisions to meet the recognized king at light heavyweight, Antonio Tarver. The bout is set to take place on June 10, live on HBO pay-per-view.
There are plenty of people in the sport, fans and experts alike, wondering why Hopkins would take this kind of risk at this late stage of his career.
"I think the fans deserve to see a future hall of famer, and potential legend when it's all said and done, take on the baddest guy in any weight class that he chooses to challenge, and that happens to be Tarver," said Hopkins.
Some pundits and experts in the sport have criticized both men for making the bout. There are those that feel Hopkins is too small, Tarver is too big, among other observations from the critics.
"I think that standing there and criticizing as some will do and speaking negative about it, is the same thing they did with Jermain Taylor. I gave him an opportunity because I never ducked nobody. I could have fought somebody other than Jermain, who wasn't ready, No. 1," said Hopkins.
"I'm taking the same concept with the light heavyweight division. Yes, it's a challenge, I agree. I'm not going to undercut and underplay, the risk is what it is. I'm 10-0 against southpaws. Go look at the record. Some of those southpaws I had to fight three times, like Robert Allen. He was, at one time, considered a top-three fighter in the world until I destroyed him and ruined him." [details]
In one of the more important bouts of the year, in terms of boxing history and fan anticipation, former middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins will move up two weight divisions to meet the recognized king at light heavyweight, Antonio Tarver. The bout is set to take place on June 10, live on HBO pay-per-view.
There are plenty of people in the sport, fans and experts alike, wondering why Hopkins would take this kind of risk at this late stage of his career.
"I think the fans deserve to see a future hall of famer, and potential legend when it's all said and done, take on the baddest guy in any weight class that he chooses to challenge, and that happens to be Tarver," said Hopkins.
Some pundits and experts in the sport have criticized both men for making the bout. There are those that feel Hopkins is too small, Tarver is too big, among other observations from the critics.
"I think that standing there and criticizing as some will do and speaking negative about it, is the same thing they did with Jermain Taylor. I gave him an opportunity because I never ducked nobody. I could have fought somebody other than Jermain, who wasn't ready, No. 1," said Hopkins.
"I'm taking the same concept with the light heavyweight division. Yes, it's a challenge, I agree. I'm not going to undercut and underplay, the risk is what it is. I'm 10-0 against southpaws. Go look at the record. Some of those southpaws I had to fight three times, like Robert Allen. He was, at one time, considered a top-three fighter in the world until I destroyed him and ruined him." [details]
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