Last Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader, highlighted by Future Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins, drew the second largest average audience for a live SHOWTIME® boxing event this year and ranks as the third-highest average on record for the premium network since 2004 when Nielsen began tracking pay television networks’ individual channels.
Hopkins vs Murat
Bernard Hopkins defeats Karo Murat
IBF Light Heavyweight Champion Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins (54-6-2, 32 KO’s) became the oldest fighter in history to defend a world title, breaking his own record by defeating European challenger Karo Murat (25-2-1, 15 KO’s). The 48-year-old “Executioner” turned “Alien” out-worked and out-brawled his 30-year-old challenger and won via clear unanimous decision in front of his hometown crowd at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. The fight, promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Caesars Atlantic City, headlined an entertaining three-fight SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event.
Hopkins appeared to start the night slow, but Hopkins’ combinations, speed and power grew each round. By the seventh, Hopkins and Murat exchanged wild power shots in spurts for the rest of the bout. Amidst these exchanges, Hopkins used his signature defense, angles and gamesmanship to mentally and physically deflate Murat. The judges scored the fight 117-110 and 119-108, twice for the champion.
Alien B-Hop displays familiar weapons to conquer Karo Murat
Showtime’s festivities at the Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ started with Deontay Wilder’s ugly destruction of Nicolai “Stone Man” Firtha. Neither man deserves much attention. How Deontay can be viewed as a legitimate heavyweight contender is a mystery to me. Showtime’s Al Bernstein tried hard to describe Firtha as a real threat to Deontay. Al struggled to try and make viewers believe because he fought pretty well against Tyson Fury and that he could do the same against Wilder. It’s doubtful viewers bought Al’s efforts. His announcing partners, Mauro Ranallo and Paulie Malignaggi were probably holding their hands over their mouths to suppress laughter.
Hopkins beats Murat; Deontay stops Firtha; Quillin stops Rosado
Making his first defense of his IBF light heavyweight title champion Bernard Hopkins (54-6-2, 32 KO’s) defeated Karo Murat (25-2-1m 15 KO’s) by a lopsided 12 round unanimous decision on Saturday night at the Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA. The final judges scores were 117-110, 119-108, 119-108. Hopkins took a lot of shots in the fight and it was a lot of back and forth action between them. This was easily the most exciting Hopkins fight in quite some time.
Speaking of Floyd Mayweather Jr., Hopkins said “I can make 160. If the negotiations are serious, I can make 160.”
Hopkins must look good in beating Murat tonight to keep Super Fight hopes alive
It’s not really question of whether IBF light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins (53-6-2, 32 KO’s) will beat his little known German based opponent Karo Murat (25-1-1, 15 KO’s) tonight in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The only question is whether the 48-year-old Hopkins will look sensational in stopping him or as boring as he’s looked in many of his fights over the years.
Either way, Hopkins will win this fight with ease. Murat has one defeat on his record, but he should arguably have three defeats because he draw and victory over Gabriel Campillo in their two fights were fights that Murat appeared to lose. Murat was also stopped by Nathan Cleverly several years ago in one-sided match.
Murat: I’m going to end Bernard’s career; he’s old
#2 IBF contender Karo Murat (25-1-1, 15 KO’s) isn’t beating around the bushes for what he plans on doing against the soon to be 49-year-old Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins (53-6-2, 32 KO’s) in their fight this Saturday night at the Boardwalk Hall, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA.
Hopkins will be making the first defense of his IBF light heavyweight title.
Murat wants to send Hopkins into a retirement that he won’t come back from. Murat feels that Hopkins time has passed and he’s going to be the one that puts him out of his misery.
Video: Wilder-Firtha, Hopkins-Murat, Quillin-Rosado quotes
The six fighters that will be featured on the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast this Saturday night gathered with media members at Caesars Atlantic City to discuss their respective matchups. Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins, Karo Murat, Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin, “King” Gabriel Rosado, Deontay “Bronze Bomber” Wilder and Nicolai Firtha answered questions candidly about the in-ring challenges taking place at Boardwalk Hall on Saturday night.
Deontay Wilder, WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight Champion
“I know that Firtha doesn’t move his head and that’s a dangerous thing to do, especially in the heavyweight division and with a puncher like me. To his credit, when he comes he comes to fight.
Hopkins eyes Mayweather superfight should he get past Murat
(Photo credit: Tom Casino/Showtime) LONDON (24 Oct) – Boxing’s oldest ever world champion Bernard Hopkins has his eyes on a superfight with pound-for-pound ace Floyd Mayweather should he get past Karo Murat this Saturday night live on BoxNation.
The 48-year-old displayed his usual calm demeanour during the pre-fight press conference ahead of his IBF light-heavyweight world title clash at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City this weekend.
Over the past few weeks there has been speculation linking the Philadelphia legend with a potential matchup against the mercurial Mayweather, pitting two boxing greats against one another in a fight that would certainly generate global interest.
Bernard Hopkins vs. Karo Murat New York City press conference quotes
Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins, IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion
“I’m coming to show you all that not only am I different and I don’t get tired of doing what I do. I love winning opportunities and situations to win.
“Saying ‘I’m getting old,’ is getting old.
“[Gabriel] Rosado and “Kid Chocolate” [Quillin] have the opportunity to steal the show. The undercard is so great. The co-main event is the middleweight belt and it is in good hands.
“I’m only doing what some of the greats have done before me in any sport. Hit and not get hit. Doesn’t mean to run.
Bernard Hopkins aims to prove he’s not old at 48
Hopkins will be defending his IBF title for the first time this Saturday night against the much younger 30-year-old Karo Murat (25-1-1, 15 KO’s) at the Boardwalk Hall, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA. This is Hopkins’ mandatory challenger and there wasn’t any way for him to get around not taking the fight, so you can’t blame Hop for facing a less than spectacular opponent.
Blame it on the International Boxing Federation for ranking Murat at #2 off a wins against opposition like this: Sandro Siproshvili, Otis Griffin and Christian Cruz. Beating those fighters got Murat installed as Hopkins’ mandatory.