Will Cleverly Get The Big Hopkins Fight After All?

Bernard ‘The Executioner’ Hopkins faces Tavoris ‘Thunder’ Cloud next Saturday, 9th March, for the IBF Light Heavyweight Championship at the Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York.

During a media conference call this week – Hopkins was asked about Welshman Nathan Cleverly, who defends his WBO Light-Heavyweight title against Robin Krasniqi on March 16th at Wembley, UK.

Cleverly is said to have stated that if Hopkins beats Cloud – there could be a unification fight in the pipeline. Hopkins agreed with him and said he was glad that Cleverly was thinking along the same lines.

“I’m very aware of him (Cleverly), but right now it’s Tavoris Cloud, ‘Thunder’, and that’s what’s on my mind right now and that is my focus,” said Hopkins.

“I’m all about unifying the championship, and that’s what it’s all about. I’ve done it in the Middleweight Division. I tried to do it when I had the title in the Light Heavyweight Division, twice, I had the title in the Light Heavyweight Division, and this would be the third time come March 9th.

“Anybody that fights in the Light Heavyweight Division makes more money with me, fighting a Hall of Famer, fighting a guy that did it all, and if you can get past Bernard Hopkins that’s a notch on anybody’s belt in the Light Heavyweight Division.”
Quotes taken from media conference call transcript via Swanson Communications.

The Hopkins v Cloud IBF Light-Heavyweight Championship at the Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Don King Productions.

The Cleverly v Krasniqi – WBO Light-Heavyweight Title takes place at Wembley Arena, London, on Saturday 16 March and is promoted by Frank Warren.