Final NY Boxing Press Conference: Pavlik v Hopkins
By Jim Everett October 16th, 2008 All Boxing Previews
© Jim Everett / Saddo Boxing
On Saturday October 18, 2008 one of boxing’s legends will step into the ring at Boardwalk Hall, in Atlantic City, NJ to face one of the hardest hitting young champions in the sport today. The same city where he lost his professional debut twenty years ago could very well be where his career comes full circle and end by being knocked out, which would be the first time in his long career.
Bernard Hopkins 48-5-1 (32) has accomplished more in his career than most fighters can dream. He became the middleweight champion in 1994 and defended his title a record twenty times through 2005 before finally losing to Jermain Taylor in two controversial decisions. The forty-three year old veteran is 2-3 in his last five fights; after facing Taylor he won unanimous decision victories over Antonio Tarver and Winky Wright and most recently a split decision loss to Joe Calzaghe earlier this year.
Enter Kelly Pavlik 34-0 (30) who is the biggest puncher Hopkins has faced since defeating Felix Trinidad in 2001. With a knockout percentage of 88% Pavlik packs a bigger punch than any opponent he has ever faced.
During this week’s final press conference at BB King’s Blues Club in New York City Hopkins attempted to goad Pavlik into a wager about the possibility of him getting knocked out. More...
