Reported By: Boxing Insider - 05.18.2007 02:37 PM

http://www.newsnow.co.uk/cgi/NGoto/206403028?-1000

HOPKINS VOWS TO CRUSH "WINKY THE TWINKIE"!
NY Presser announces Hopkins-Wright, set for HBO PPV.
By Mike Indri
Retired Boxers Foundation
May 16, 2007

NEW YORK - Still beaming from their all-time record setting Oscar De La Hoya-Floyd Mayweather mega-event, which drew close to 2.2 million pay-per-view buys, amassing over 120 million dollars-as well as picking up another 19 million dollars from the live gate at the sold out MGM Grand Garden Arena, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer and HBO executives Ross Greenberg (President, HBO Sports) and Mark Taffet (HBO's Sr. V.P. of Sports and Pay-Per-View) kicked off the five city press tour for the July 21st clash between Bernard Hopkins and Winky Wright.

While not dreaming of doing anywhere near the numbers set forth by De La Hoya and Mayweather, all involved feel this is a "can't miss" fight with both elite boxers fighting for pride, their legacies, and of course a lot of money; figuring to be in the proximity of 5 million dollars each.

Wright, 51-3-1 (25 KO's), is taking the step up and challenging one of boxing's living (and still fighting) legends in Bernard Hopkins, at a set weight of 170 pounds.

Wright, with two impressive victories over Shane Mosley, and a blow out win against Felix Trinidad, had to settle for a questionable draw in his quest to unseat middleweight champion Jermain Taylor of his WBC and WBO titles this past June 17th, in the champion's backyard of Memphis, Tenn. Many observers felt the nod, and the belts, should have been awarded to the St. Petersburg, Florida native. The 35-year old southpaw has established himself as one of today's premier boxers and a defensive master, who sits high atop everyone's pound for pound list.

With that being said, Winky Wright is trying to get to a level of greatness where Bernard Hopkins, 47-4-1 (32 KO's), has thrived for over ten years, which included his twenty middleweight title defenses, before he shocked the light heavyweight division by totally annihilating Antonio Tarver, then considered boxing's best 175- pound fighter. That claim, along with Tarver's Ring Magazine belt, now belongs to the extraordinary Philadelphia fighter.

Those points, as well as many others, were brought out in very entertaining fashion by the used to be gruff, now charismatic, Hopkins.
"I guarantee you, you won't see Winky after July 21st," stated Hopkins adding, "This is going to be Winky (as Hopkins then squeezed a Twinkie), Winky the Twinkie!"

Bringing laughter throughout Manhattan's ESPN Zone, packed with media personnel, boxing people and throngs of curious onlookers, Hopkins continued.
"I'm serious, I'm still in the game because I know I can still do it. I'm 42 years old and at 42 every fight is a risk. This 42-year old is going to whoop Winky Wright!"
Wright, also amused by his enigmatic opponent's antics, countered, "All you (Hopkins) are is a boogeyman, and come July 21st nobody will be scared of the boogeyman no more." Wright calmly added, "I did not chose Bernard, he choose to fight me. There was no one left for me to fight, I beat (Jermain) Taylor, there's no more middleweights, all the jr. middleweights run from me - Bernard is the only one left for me to fight."

Interest appears high for this intriguing match up already. According to Schaefer, 4,200 tickets, worth over 2.5 million dollars, have already been purchased for the Hopkins vs. Wright "Coming to Fight" showdown, to be held at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, in Las Vegas.

Tickets are available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com. For more Hopkins vs. Wright fight updates, log on to www.hbo.com.
Mike Indri
Retired Boxers Foundation
RBFNJMIKE@aol.com

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I can't understand why De La hoya choose this guy to be his business partner ( ass kissing). He is a terrible promoter, terrible sales person, has very little star power, and is not charismatic. He is a great fighter who tries to promote his fight through trash talk like many others, but he is not good at it. After all that he will probably win three rounds in the Winky fight.

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From Gbrandon to Brazilianbomber to Bookkeeper, what's next?

I've never been a fan of BHOP's, and he sounds retarted outside the ring. But, like Clubber Lang said, "I do my talkin in the ring!". And I thank hopkins for getting rid of the pretender(Tarver). Unless he can KO Winky, I can't see him winning this fight.

CC#236 acura gareeeey!

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<br /><br />Pimp Suite at Laguna Beach: $799.99<br />Lexus GS fully loaded: $53,000<br />Ditching your business meeting to watch RJJ fight from your Lexus at Laguna Beach: PRICELESS<br />Some things $ can't buy!

CC in 24hrs bro already cc'd ya sometime today lol

I kinda like Hopkins to be honest with you. Only time I've been against him was agains Taylor...and then I was still a bit torn. He's so old school. Who do you guys have winning?

in all honesty i see it playing out like this...........

winky will confuse/frustrate the hell out of b-hop for about the first 5-6 rounds and b-hop is known for not doing shiiiiiit for these first 5-6rounds as always.

then like most b-hop fights he'll really turn it up about the 7th round or so and just go all out winning over the crowd and possibly the judges i also see winky trying to get macho and just let his hands go about the 7th or 8th round on.

so it either ends with a DRAW or winky by decision

From B-Hop... "Winky Twinkie the Stinky".

I think that this is going to be an amazing fight...especially from where I'll be sitting!

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Never beg a 40 dollar hooker...specially after she's just turned down your mom's credit card!!

u gonna be at the mandalay for this one bro?

Yeah babe...already got my ticket, suite, & plane ticket.

These are two of my top favorite 5's & also, IWO, two of the best boxers of the game.

Wouldn't miss it for the world.

I hope B-Hop punches Wright's head off his next and it lands in Wackos lap

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Southern Prince

THAT'S WHAT AM TALKIN ABOUT!!! CC DUKE74

dude wacko ure a biotch! i invited u to come out to 702 mad times and now that im tied up with business else where u going to 702 like its your 2nd home!

ill be back to reclaim the throne but till then keep REPRESENTIN BABY!

I dont like the fact that they werent able to hold a stare down cuz they kept laughing . Its seems all abit too friendly for me . I hope to see a little needle in the build up just to give it the spark or it could be a chess match

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