(Photo Credit: Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions) By Raj Parmar: Golden Boy Promotions and Main Events Promotions hosted a press conference today to promote the November 8 light heavyweight unification bout between Bernard Hopkins (55-6-2, 32 KO’s) and Sergey Kovalev (25-0-1, 23 KO’s).
At one point during the press conference, Kovalev indicated that there may be some added incentive on his part to ensure he goes out and takes the title of the Golden Boy fighter and boxing legend Hopkins.
I want to say that one day in Big Bear (California) when I trained, I met Oscar De La Hoya and asked him to sign me and he turned me down, but now here we are on different sides,” Kovalev stated to the media assembled in the room.
Bernard responded to the heavy hitting Kovalev’s comments by daring the fighter to do something about the perceived snub on November 8.
If he feels he didn’t get his just due, take it out on me,” Hopkins challenged to Kovalev, “Forget Oscar, take it out on me.”
Sergey began his professional career in 2009 and fought in relative obscurity for a few years despite winning majority of his fights by knockout. Kovalev was signed by Main Events a couple years ago and won the WBO light heavyweight title last year by knocking out the then undefeated champion Nathan Cleverly.
The first person I thought of when I saw Sergey Kovalev in the ring was Ray Leonard. I saw the look in his eye and I could tell he was different,” Main Events CEO Kathy Duva said, “I believe he is the most electrifying boxer in the world of boxing and he will prove it on November 8.”
Golden Boy Promotions is obviously a much bigger company than Main Events; however Kovalev has made the most of the opportunities given to him and is ready to move up in both ranking and fame when he steps in the ring with the 49 year old Hopkins.
I am not a talker, I am a fighter and I am sure Bernard will promote the fight for both of us. I don’t really understand what Bernard is saying. Even if I understood, I wouldn’t care. I don’t worry about him. I’ll go into the ring and do my job,” Kovalev stated about the outspoken Hopkins, “It is my secret what I will do on fight night. I will give it my all and come out with the win.”
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