hopkins to fight maskaev for heavyweight title

http://www.secondsout.com/USA/news.cfm?ccs=229&cs=20335

Exclusive Tim Smith: Apparently, retirement doesn't really fit Bernard Hopkins that well. Hopkins is not talking of coming out of his three-month retirement and moving up to heavyweight to challenge WBC champ Oleg Maskaev.

"The state of the heavyweight division in America is dead,'' Hopkins said. "Bernard Hopkins is the only boxer who can bring the title back.''

If Hopkins gets his way, he wants to fight Maskaev in a heavyweight event on HBO Pay-Per-View in June.

Hopkins eyes lit up when he talked about the prospects of fighting for the heavyweight title. I doubt seriously if he gets the same look in his eyes when his wife tells him to take out the garbage or cut the grass.

Hopkins, 41, went out on a high-note, beating Antonio Tarver, who was considered the best light heavyweight in the business back in June. It will be tough to top that. If Hopkins falters against Maskaev or any other heavyweight, it will certainly tarnish that memorable performance against Tarver and his legacy.

Hopkins was struck by the notion after watching Maskaev knockout Hasim Rahman last month. With the victory Maskaev became the fourth heavyweight champion from the former Soviet Union. All four of the major titles are now held by non-American boxers.

"I was watching that fight and it when it was over, it hit me,'' Hopkins said. "Rahman was supposed to be the last line of defense for the America heavyweights. He couldn't do it. But I was inspired to comeback and do it. It's not something that is unheard of. Michael Spinks did it. Roy Jones did it. I can do it.''

It is a risk that Hopkins is certainly willing to take, if the price is right. And from listening to Hopkins the price has to be in the double-digit millions.

Hopkins has been struggling with the thought of coming out of retirement for a while. But he didn't want to come out of retirement for just any old fight. He couldn't see doing it to fight Joe Calzaghe or Roy Jones, Jr. It had to be something big, something special. And a fight against Maskaev and a chance to add a heavyweight title to his trophy case is certainly something worthwhile.

I'm not usually disposed to 41-year-old men stepping into the ring. But I'll give Hopkins a pass. I think matched against the right heavyweight, and Maskaev would qualify, Hopkins could make an intriguing fight.

He is bracing for the backlash that will occur when he officially announces his return.

"I know people are going to give me a hard time about coming back,'' Hopkins said. "But I think this is a special reason to come back. This is about restoring something back to America. I believe I can be America's heavyweight savior.

"This is like a mouse looking at some cheese in the middle of the room with a trap around it. There's a risk, but that cheese is calling my name.''

Hopkins said he now weighs a solid 185 pounds and is looking at fighting at 200 pounds. That was about the weight that Roy Jones held when he beat John Ruiz for the WBA title three years ago. But Jones made the mistake of coming back down to 175 pounds to fight Tarver and that was the beginning of the end of Jones.

"I know everybody will be saying, "How in the hell will he be able to fight a man that could weigh 230 or 240 pounds'' Hopkins said. "But the weight is not the problem. I'm not worried about that, just like I wasn't worried about it with Tarver.''

Hopkins said he won't take on the challenge of moving up if he can't get Mackie Shilstone to help him. He said he called Shilstone and the sports nutrition guru is studying it to determine whether he thinks it's feasible for Hopkins to take on the challenge.

Hopkins said he would need at least nine months to move up. He said adding the weight would not be a problem, but he wants to maintain the same speed and flexibility he had as a light heavyweight. And that would take time.

The sticky part is whether Maskaev would still have the WBC title by the time Hopkins is ready to fight in June.

The WBC has granted Maskaev the right for a voluntary defense of the title, which he plans to use for a fight against Peter Okhill, a Ugandan heavyweight from Japan, in Moscow on Dec. 23. Then, Maskaev must make a mandatory defense against Samuel Peter after that.

It is not unprecedented for a WBC heavyweight champion to make a string of voluntary defenses before making a mandatory. Vitali Klitschko made two voluntary defenses of the title after he won it and never made his mandatory defense against Rahman. When he was about to fight Rahman, Klitschko injured his knee and then retired.

Hopkins is serious about coming back. He already has his wife on board, if the price is right. And that is the same concern for Richard Schaefer, the CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, Hopkins' promoter, and Mark Taffet, the chief of HBO Pay-Per-View.

In boxing it doesn't make sense if it doesn't make dollars. Consider the upcoming heavyweight title matches, WBO champ Sergei Liahkovich defending his title against Shannon Briggs and IBF champ Wladimir Klitschko defending against Calvin Brock and measure them against the intrigue of Hopkins against Maskaev. I know which one is going to catch my attention.

cc for news bro

GO BERNARD GO , i reckon hed piss all over maskaev for 12 rnds

:o

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Originally Posted by miles

:o

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But now I think about it, beating Maskaev would be an amazing feat, but Maskaev is far from the best in the division...

At least by beating Tarver, Tarver was regarded as the biggest draw at light heavyweight....

If this does turn out then I will be very astonished regardless...

this is great news. i knew he would come back but not as a heavyweight. this is going amazing. can't wait for his return

I declare shenannigans on this! B-Hop should stay retired!!!

I think he could do it against Maskaev, emphasis on the fact that its just Maskaev,and it would be a good achievement to end his career.

But I don't really see the point cause he's not gonna stick around. At least Toney actually became a heavyweight, Hopkins could beat Maskaev but would he stick around and fight other HW's, not likely.

I'd still watch it though and root for him to win.

i think he should fight joe calzaghe

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Originally Posted by R E L E N T L E S S

i think he should fight joe calzaghe

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I know many british fans want a fight between B-Hop and Joe but on the American side a fight with Oleg would generate much more interest.

I'd love to see him fight Maskaev. If he could beat him then maybe he could take on Valuev as well, imagine that!

Go B-Hop GO!

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Originally Posted by Lyle

I declare shenannigans on this! B-Hop should stay retired!!!

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I agree. Beating Maskaev would mean what? Maskaev is a worse champion that John Ruiz, who Roy Jones beat.

Showboat. Just the thought of it makes me sick. Let the heavies sort out their own buisness.

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Originally Posted by Violent Demise

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Originally Posted by Lyle

I declare shenannigans on this! B-Hop should stay retired!!!

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I agree. Beating Maskaev would mean what? Maskaev is a worse champion that John Ruiz, who Roy Jones beat.

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It would mean Hopkins would be a three weight world champion, would be the only the second man ever to hold the middleweight, light heavywieght and heavyweight titles, it would elevate his legacy above that of Hagler, Leonard, Roy Jones and maybe even Ray Robinson and he would retire a legend.

I think he would also be the second oldest heavyweight champ of all time behind Foreman, not sure how old Woolcott was.

Oh and he would proabably make about $20,000,000 dollars.

If I was Hopkins, I take this fight ;)

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Originally Posted by bilbo

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Originally Posted by Violent Demise

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Originally Posted by Lyle

I declare shenannigans on this! B-Hop should stay retired!!!

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I agree. Beating Maskaev would mean what? Maskaev is a worse champion that John Ruiz, who Roy Jones beat.

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It would mean Hopkins would be a three weight world champion, would be the only the second man ever to hold the middleweight, light heavywieght and heavyweight titles, it would elevate his legacy above that of Hagler, Leonard, Roy Jones and maybe even Ray Robinson and he would retire a legend.

I think he would also be the second oldest heavyweight champ of all time behind Foreman, not sure how old Woolcott was.

Oh and he would proabably make about $20,000,000 dollars.

If I was Hopkins, I take this fight ;)

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If I was Hopkins I would also take the fight. But it still dosn't change the fact that beating Maskaev is not something great.

b-hop-valuev would be a great one to see........would he be able to fight against the guy who is basically 10 stone heavier if b-hop came in at 14 stone 4......................

It would be amazing for his legacy but I think he should stay retired,I thought that B Hop was a man of his word!! Maskaev is dangerous though,he possesses true HW power so it will be a challeng ebut if he wins,where will he be all time? VERY VERY HIGH!

wow now thats big man!!
i could have thought of about 5 big fights for bernard to take if he came back...
but i never thought of him as a heavy wieght.....
and if he gets maskaev then fair play... he'll do him!!
but if he cant get maskaev... then will he fight someone else?
vlad?... i dont think he could... skills wise yes... size might be too much
if sam peter beats maskaev.... i would once have said no...but since toney BEAT!! ^-^ Peter!!.. i think bernard could do it..
valuev..... think he could... depending on how he looked and felt at heavywieght and his strength etc.. i think theres too big a margin between skill for valuev to hang with bhop,
havnt seen anyting of this sergie guy who holds the wbo so i couldnt say... but he cant be all that special since i havent heard of him!
but the risk is huge!! as is the reward.... its needs to be weighed up very carefully for bernard... case he gets seriously hurt or even sticks a dark cloud over his legacy... it starts with a loss then he wont quit again until he has a win.... case of the roy jones ;)
peace

B-HOP on the return. I think this is good. Hell why didn't Lennox answer the calling as well?? Calling all who are able-- to breathe life into this division!!

lennox went out on top and just isnt young enough or hungry enough to ecen think of a comeback.. he always says i left the game on the top so i dont feel the need to come back...
he doesnt need to save america.. becuase he is english and from his perspective the less english heavywieght champs the better.. more likely he'll stay the man for a long time... no chance of skelton or williams ever touching him in that respect.plus he gets plenty of money from hbo still ;) and thats why he so chubby these days!! cos HES RICH !!!!! lol
peace

I think he should WHUP Calzaghe! It's the only logical step

Your absolutely right body head banger....I was just being silly.

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Originally Posted by ICE COLD BOXING

cc for news bro

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I pray B-HOP stays retired...I love him as a fighter and it saddened me to see him go.....but keep your word....let the young guns have their shot....

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Originally Posted by Lyle

I think he should WHUP Calzaghe! It's the only logical step

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true....but he retired.....made the promise to his mom....gotta keep the promise.....unless 15 mil hits the table :)

Very true....or unless he feels he can KO Antonio Tarver

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Originally Posted by Lyle

Very true....or unless he feels he can KO Antonio Tarver

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Lyle that was good. Dedicating the rest of his boxing career to knocking Tarver out would be swell. ;)

He has already retired a legend. If he can beat Maskaev he would retire a god. And here is why it would be a big deal, Maskaev might not be the best heavy weight champ of all time but he is the WBC champion, considering what Hopkins has already done in the middle weight division, and the way he hung tough with the much younger Taylor for 24 rounds only to come back less than a year latter and completely out class the best light heavy weight in the world at the ripe old age of 41, you throw in the fact that if he does pull it off he will bring the tittle back to the U.S and you have an ending that seems to be right out of a fairy tale, not to mention one of the most sucsess full cariers in boxing history. Thats why it would be a big deal.

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Originally Posted by R E L E N T L E S S

i think he should fight joe calzaghe

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Now that's a fight that should happen. Joe would wup that ass though.

This shat is gotta be bogus. Or Bernard is just talking, which I doubt. If there is any shred of truth to this, Please Bernard DON"T DO IT! You went out on the highest of high notes. Beating Maskeav just doesn't get my blood pumping. Walk away, Bernard, walk away now brother. After Maskaev, then what? Get bored again and try another HW, or Toney or something. Wait that's it, if Bernard does seriously want to fight at HW, which I pray he will stay retired, then fight James Toney. I'd prefer that over anything.

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Originally Posted by bilbo

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Originally Posted by Violent Demise

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Originally Posted by Lyle

I declare shenannigans on this! B-Hop should stay retired!!!

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I agree. Beating Maskaev would mean what? Maskaev is a worse champion that John Ruiz, who Roy Jones beat.

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It would mean Hopkins would be a three weight world champion, would be the only the second man ever to hold the middleweight, light heavywieght and heavyweight titles, it would elevate his legacy above that of Hagler, Leonard, Roy Jones and maybe even Ray Robinson and he would retire a legend.

I think he would also be the second oldest heavyweight champ of all time behind Foreman, not sure how old Woolcott was.

Oh and he would proabably make about $20,000,000 dollars.

If I was Hopkins, I take this fight ;)

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Exactly where would this $20,000,000 come from ???

Can you guys smell that?.............. ??? :-[ :-X :-\ ;D ;D ;D


B-Hop vs Toney?

nahh maybe

B-hop vs Joe C

maybe but is that specific smell.......
hmmm


bahh retirement

i'm a big fan of b-hops, i feel he should stay retired, but having said that i'd love to see him win the heavyweight title

WHOA if this is indeed true then damn i gotta give it up to B-HOP i mean i admit i hated on him for a min and then respected him alot more towards the end of his career and even more so when he mopped tarver, but if he pulls this off damn thats gangsta!

Not gonna happen, do you really think Bernard would do something like that. Isn't that the same webtie that said Lennox said he would come out of retirement to fight Vitali again? ::** And also Bernard isn't going to betray his mothers word. Just leave him to his retirement!

Hell that would be awesome, Go B-hop!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bernard already betrayed his mothers word, he promised his mother he wont continue fighting after his 40 but he fought tarver at 41

would love to see it. great chance to hopkins to win another belt. Cant see it happening though. I think if it did happen Hopkins would probably do the same job to Maskaev as Jones did to Ruiz

He should stay retied while he still has his mind. This fight proves nothing.

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Originally Posted by Violent Demise

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Originally Posted by Lyle

I declare shenannigans on this! B-Hop should stay retired!!!

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I agree. Beating Maskaev would mean what? Maskaev is a worse champion that John Ruiz, who Roy Jones beat.

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i'd have to disagree, at least Maskaev fights and throws punches, he doesn't just hold and toss his opponants around

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Originally Posted by bilbo

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Originally Posted by Violent Demise

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Originally Posted by Lyle

I declare shenannigans on this! B-Hop should stay retired!!!

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I agree. Beating Maskaev would mean what? Maskaev is a worse champion that John Ruiz, who Roy Jones beat.

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It would mean Hopkins would be a three weight world champion, would be the only the second man ever to hold the middleweight, light heavywieght and heavyweight titles, it would elevate his legacy above that of Hagler, Leonard, Roy Jones and maybe even Ray Robinson and he would retire a legend.

I think he would also be the second oldest heavyweight champ of all time behind Foreman, not sure how old Woolcott was.

Oh and he would proabably make about $20,000,000 dollars.

If I was Hopkins, I take this fight ;)

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Being a huge Hopkins fan...I agree to disagree with all of this.

#1:Part of me wants him to move & blast out "a heavyweight" but it would have to be more credible than Maskaev. Let Maskaev lose to Peter...then beat Peter who controversly beat Toney...& I'm fwockin sold...till then...it's a waste of time.

#2: I agree with Bilbo on the legacy end of it. It'd be a beaut for his legacy.

#3: If anyone can do anything in boxing...Hopkins has proven...it's Hopkins!

#4: On the flip note...I'd hate to see him lose to a chump heavyweight.