Boxing Legend Bernard Hopkins Makes Philly Promotional Debut

ByBoxing Press

Don’t Miss This Fantastic Golden Boy East/Peltz/Joe Hand Co-Promotion!

Philadelphia’s beloved Bernard Hopkins returns to the city of brotherly love to make another professional debut-this time as President of promotional company Golden Boy Promotions East. Hopkins will host the March 3 fight card at the New Alhambra Sports and Entertainment Center in South Philadelphia (Swanson & Ritner Streets) that features his nephew-and one of the hottest prospects in boxing-unbeaten junior welterweight Demetrius Hopkins (22-0-1, 14KOs) in the main event. The card will air nationally on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights. “We have been trying hard to bring a fight to Philadelphia with the intentions of making it a great night for Philly fight fans,” said Hopkins. “There is no better way to introduce our company to the area than to have a Philadelphia fighter like Demetrius to represent us on live national television.” First fight 7.30 pm.

The co-main event pits welterweight contender Larry Mosley (15-1, 6 K0s) against Miguel Figueroa (24-5-1, 14 K0s), of Camden, NJ. The seven bout fight card is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions East in association with Peltz Boxing Promotions and Joe Hand Promotions and sponsored by Borgata Hotel and Casino, whose multi-fight deal with Golden Boy East continues to flourish. “Working with Bernard Hopkins and Golden Boy Promotions East has paired one of the fastest growing promotional companies with one of the fastest growing venues in Atlantic City,” says Larry, CFO of the Borgata Hotel and Casino. “Golden Boy Promotions East has brought boxing back to the east coast, and we are excited to sponsor this event in Bernard Hopkins’s hometown.”

Both exciting match-ups will be televised live on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights beginning at 9pm ET / 11pm PT. It will be the debut fight card for Golden Boy East on the cable network. “We look forward to going to Philadelphia, home to some of boxing’s greatest fighters and fans”, declared Doug Loughrey of ESPN. “We welcome Bernard Hopkins and Golden Boy Promotions East to the ESPN airways, and look forward to partnering with them to capture the best of boxing on “Friday Night Fights.”

Adding to the evening’s theme, EA Sports will launch their new 2006 boxing game with onsite demonstrations and give-aways for attending fans. Tickets for fight night are priced at $35, $45, and $50 and available at 215-765-0922 or visit www.peltzboxing.com.

Continuing to show new dimensions to his game with each successive bout, unbeaten Demetrius Hopkins is ready to make an assault on the top ten rankings in 2006. Winner of three straight bouts by knockout, the ‘Gladiator’ has displayed an uncanny ability to not only outbox opponents, but out punch them as well. In his last bout on December 3rd, the 25-year-old took out Jesse Feliciano in just four rounds.

Former amateur star Larry Mosley is now making a splash on the pro scene after a two year layoff from 2003 to 2005. Since returning to action, Mosley has been impressive and sharp, stopping three consecutive opponents, with no foe going past four rounds. In his last bout, the Los Angeles native stopped normally durable Jeremy Yelton in two rounds.

A hard-nosed battler who has amassed a sizeable fan following in Philadelphia, Camden, New Jersey’s Miguel Figueroa knows only one direction when he steps into the ring – forward. Winner of his last two bouts – both at the New Alhambra – this former IBA Americas champion is eager to welcome Mosley to Philadelphia with his two fists on March 3rd.

For Bernard Hopkins, who is transitioning from his storied run as the undisputed middleweight champion of the world to promoter, the stakes are high for putting a fight on in Philadelphia. “I feel like I am preparing for one of the biggest fights of my life,” said Hopkins. “Philly fight fans are no joke and if we don’t give them a great nightof boxing, their going to knock-me out.”