Bernard Hopkins told Steve Bunce’s Boxing Hour that he will not consider Chad Dawson as an opponent and believes the winner out of Joe Calzaghe and Roy Jones Jr will change their mind about not fighting him.
The Executioner produced the performance of his career last Saturday in Atlantic City to convincingly outpoint current middleweight king Kelly Pavlik.
Both Calzaghe and Jones, though paying respect to Hopkins’ performance, insist they have no interest in having second fights against the Philadelphia fighter.
Hopkins believes the media frenzy surrounding the aftermath of their fight, when he will be in attendance, will persuade the fighters that they have to take him on.
“Scratch Chad Dawson off, I’ve got bigger fish to fry,” Hopkins told Setanta Sports News. “I heard Joe said Bernard won’t get a rematch.
“Joe knows in his heart the judges beat Bernard Hopkins. I’ll be ringside on November 8 and all hell going to break out in the media and with the fans. I set the bar so high.
“With Joe Calzaghe I won’t worry about a decision this time. I will knock him out.
“Joe Calzaghe has a style that no one can keep up with, whether its slaps or whatever. It’s not a style you see in America.
“My next fight will be no later than February, no earlier than March.”
Hopkins went on to describe how his ability to adapt in the ring was the key to beating Pavlik.
“I standby it was my best performance even better than Felix Trinidad,” Hopkins added. “I really hope he comes back. He has a thumping George Foreman type of punch, but I took that away.
“I watched his fights and no one tried to do that or didn’t do it for long enough. They maybe did it for a few seconds or a round at most.
“When you’re fighting a different style you have to adapt to that. I was taught well by Bouie Fisher to do more than one thing.
“Joe Frazier was a great champion who couldn’t do more than one thing. He couldn’t fight standing up. That’s why he got beat by George Foreman.
“Moving to my right took away his right hand. Similarly, Trinidad is known for the left hook but if you don;t go to his strong side it takes something away. I watched his fights and no one tried to do that or didn’t do it for long enough.”
Kessler, Haussler press conference
There are still two days to go before it truly gets serious for the protagonists of Saturday´s event in Oldenburg. But before things get going inside the ring, the rivals for the WBA super-middleweight title and cruiserweight European title demonstrated a lot of mutual respect. “My preparation has gone well – better than usual,” revealed Mikkel Kessler ahead of his title defence against mandatory challenger Danilo Haussler. He is prepared for a fight which goes the distance of 12 rounds. “Haussler has a big heart, but I am convinced that I will remain world champion,” added Kessler.
Kessler’s manager Mogens Palle was equally confident. He said: “I did not want this fight, but I don’t want to talk about that here. I have seen a few of Danilo Haussler’s fights. If he fights like he has done up to now, it will be very tough to hit him. I don’t want to predict the outcome, but a points decision would be enough for us..”
Danilo Haussler made it clear that getting a fight for the WBA world title is a dream come true. Although he is aware that his opponent will be the favourite, he still fancies his chances. “The longer the fight goes on, the better my chances are,” said the 33-year-old challenger. That is the way Haussler’s coach Manfred Wolke sees it too. “Obviously, Mikkel Kessler is physically strong, but you cannot under-estimate his boxing qualities either. It will not be easy. We want to start picking up big points from the beginning and then hope for a good ending,” said the 65-year-old coach.
The European cruiserweight title fight between title-holder Marco “Captain” Huck and the Italian challenger Fabio Tuiach (28) promises just as much tension. Although both rivals come into the fight with practically the same records of 22 to 23 wins, the 23-year-old European Champion feels he is well-prepared for the fight. “I did not expect to fight again so soon after winning the European title against Jean Marc Monrose, but then the coach called me and I began preparing immediately,” he revealed. “I am delighted to be fighting again in Oldenburg and I want to defend my European belt with all my might,” he added.
Challenger Fabio Tuaich paid respect to his opponent, but made it clear that he had not travelled all the way to Oldenburg only to return empty-handed. “Marco Huck is a strong fighter, but I did not come here to lose. I want to take the European title back to Italy with me,” said the cruiserweight fighter from Trieste.
Manfredo-Bika headlines Nov. 13 “Tough & Tested”at Dunkin’ Donuts Center
PROVIDENCE (October 23, 2008) – Unlike in many United States cities today, pro boxing remains alive and strong in Providence, which will host “Tough & Tested” on November 13 at the newly renovated Dunkin’ Donuts Center.
Two-time world title challenger “The Pride of Providence” Peter Manfredo, Jr., runner-up in Season One of The Contender, battles Sakio “The Scorpian” Bika, winner of Season Three of The Contender, in the 12-round main event for the IBO super middleweight title.
“Tough & Tested,” promoted by the Tournament of Contenders in association with Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), will air nationally live on Versus television. The co-promoters have called for a ‘Pink Out’ (everybody wearing something colored pink) to show support for the Gloria Gemma Foundation. A portion of the proceeds from ticket and T-shirt sales will benefit the Gloria Gemma Foundation for research into early breast cancer detection.
Boxing’s rich tradition in Providence started way back in 1890 when George “Old Chocolate” Godfrey knocked out Patsy Cardiff in the 16th round. Over the years, Providence was a hot spot for the “sweet science” at places like the National A.C., Marieville Garden, Infantry Hall, Rhode Island Auditorium Arcadia Ballroom, Elks Auditorium, Metropolitan Opera House, Prince Memorial Stadium, Strand Theater, Rhode Island Convention Center, Twin River and the predecessor to the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, the Providence Civic Center.
The late, great heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano was 28-0 in Providence, where a virtual Who’s Who of Hall of Fame boxers have fought, including “Sugar” Ray Robinson, “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler, Sandy Saddler, “Sugar” Ray Leonard, Willie Pep, Sandy Saddler, Ted “Kid” Lewis, Ezzard Charles, Mickey Walker, “Barbados” Joe Walcott, Kid Gavilan, Sammy Angott, Ike Williams and many more.
The last major world title fight held at The Dunkin’ Donuts Center (Providence Civic Center at that time) was October 1, 1991, when Vinny Paz stopped Gilbert Dele in the 12th round for the WBA light middleweight championship. Also fighting on that card, ironically, was Peter Manfredo, Sr. – Peter, Jr.’s father and head trainer — who won an 8-round decision against previously unbeaten Paul Lynch (6-0).
“CES has worked hard to keep the boxing fires burning in Providence for the past few decades,” Providence-based promoter Burchfield said. “The November 13th show continues the great boxing tradition here in Providence.”
Manfredo (31-5, 16 KOs), the reigning NABF Interim champion, is the WBC No. 13 rated super middleweight. Fighting in front of his hometown fans, “The Pride of Providence” sports a perfect 16-0 (10 KOs) record in Rhode Island, including 3-0 (3 KOs) in the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. All five of Manfredo’s losses as a pro have been to world champions and Peter, Jr. has an opportunity to join an exclusive club of local fighting stars such as world champions Paz, Joey Archibald and Harold Gomes with a win against Bika.
IBF Pan Pacific super middleweight title-holder Bika (26-3-2. 16 KOs), a 2000 Cameroon Olympian now fighting out of Australia, won The Contender III with a dramatic eighth round stoppage of Bridgeport, Connecticut native Jaidon Codrington in the finale in Boston. Bika, rated No. 5 by the IBF and No. 8 by The Ring magazine, hasn’t been stopped in 31 pro fights.
In the 10-round co-feature, Grady “Bad Boy” Brewer (23-11, 13 KOs), winner of Season Two of The Contender, meets fan favorite in Season Two of The Contender, IBF No. 13 rated Cornelius “K9” Bundrage (28-3, 16 KOs), in an IBO light middleweight title eliminator. Codrington (18-2, 14 KOs), runner-up in Season Three of The Contender, also is fighting on the card in a super middleweight Special Attraction against an opponent to be determined.
Some of New England’s most talented and popular fighters are scheduled to fight on the undercard including WBC World Youth and USNBC featherweight champion Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard (15-0, 8 KOs), super flyweight Isander “Peachy” Beauchamp (5-0, 2 KOs), Providence light welterweight Jesus Caro (2-0, 2 KOs), and Pawtucket light welterweight Diego Periera (1-0, 1 KO). All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, priced at $18.00, $23.00, $58.00, $79.00, $107.00 and $222.00, are on sale at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center Box Office (401.331.6700) or through CES Boxing at 401.724.2253/2254 or www.cesboxing.com. Tickets will also be on sale through www.Ticketmaster.com, at all local Ticketmaster outlets by calling Ticketmaster direct at 401.331.2211 or 617.931.2000, as well as Manfredo’s Gym in Pawtucket (401.723.1359), 401 Gym in Cranston (401.261.9800), Balletto’s Gym in Providence (401.641.9994), Elite Mixed Martial Arts (401.728.1356) and Ultimate Fitness in Bristol (401.253.3539). Each paid ticket holder will receive a complimentary Dave & Buster’s $10.00 Power Card ($12 value) upon entry.
For more information call 401.724.2253/2254 or go online to www.cesboxing.com, www.tournamentofcontenders.com or www.dunkindonutscenter.com. Doors open at 5:30 PM/ET, first bout 6:30 PM/ET.