IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion Bernard Hopkins held an intimate media roundtable in Midtown Manhattan today to discuss his July 13 title defense against number one rated IBF Light Heavyweight contender Karo Murat, who joined the roundtable via Skype from his training camp in Germany. Right here, you’ll find a collection of quotes and photos from the event, as Hopkins prepares to extend his own record of being the oldest champion in boxing history.
BERNARD HOPKINS, IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion
“I just found out a month ago, the doctor will be here before the [fight week] press conference hopefully to explain this, but I must confess that I am not human. I am an alien. No, seriously. I realize that Pluto is no longer a planet now, so I’m from Mars. I’ve definitely retired the ‘Executioner.’ You will not hear me mention the Executioner.
“Now, I’m in this world but I’m not of this world. There is no aging process for me.
“The breaking news is that I am an alien.
“I reflect a little bit in my mind about not only defending my title, but also defending my historic career.
“I’m a Philly guy. I get a lot of love in Philly, but, to be able to be a part of Brooklyn and to be fighting in a new facility that in 15 or 20 years from now, people will be talking about the great events that happened there and I will be mentioned for what I did on March 9.
“When Murat’s name came up and it was agreed upon, I was like ‘let’s do this.’ I see bigger things in my future believe it or not and he’s in the way of that.
“I feel like I’m in my mid to early 30’s instead of my 40’s.
“If you don’t know Karo Murat, then you’ll know him after July 13.
“I think you should pay attention, because I know when I was a number one contender, I was hungry for a title.
“There’s a reason why a fight between Cloud and Murat didn’t happen. I got the opportunity to fight with Cloud, and here we are.
“I look at it as ‘look what’s on my plate.’ The burden is on me, not Karo Murat. The burden is on me to be who I am and to show the world that when it comes to age, you know don’t count Bernard Hopkins out.
“This guy [Murat] and anybody I fight is a danger at this stage of my career.
“I have to look past him to the future. That means I’m motivated to make a profound statement and outdo the last fight. That’s one of my whole objectives is to outdo what people thought was a historic moment March 9. To me, other than the push-ups, I outdid myself in both Jean Pascal fights. This is my motivation. I want a super fight before I retire. If I want that super fight, I have to get past this. This is more of a political, do or die fight for me. I’m good under pressure.
“Karo Murat, to me, is that super fight for now as far as on paper, because there’s no reason to talk about anything else if July 13 becomes a disaster for my plans. It’s counterproductive to talk about anyone else past July 13.
“Karo Murat has been thirsty, he’s been waiting and he has a mentality of, ‘I’m in a win win situation because there are a lot of other people who have lost to me. So that’s not an embarrassment to him. It’s almost like a badge of honor. Can you imagine getting a black eye from someone you loved and watched growing up? This guy was 10 years old when I had a title. That’s a shiner that you don’t want to heal.
“I’m in a unique situation being 48 and being a guy that you don’t want to take a risk with your fighters because I have a history of ruining a lot of young fighters’ careers.
“This isn’t an off day for me. I’m not taking him lightly because I know what’s on the table for my future. This year there is a possible chance that you will see a 48-year-old athlete fighting at a top level three times. Who does that?”
KARO MURAT, Number One Rated IBF Light Heavyweight Contender
“I respect what Bernard’s achieved so far in his career, but at the end of the day, I’m traveling to America for the fight of my life. I’m prepared for a battle and I’m going to show you a real battle once we get into the ring.
“Of course I’m taking Bernard seriously. Who wouldn’t? Like I said, I’ve been following his career since I was 10, so I pretty much know all of his moves; everything he does, I know already.
“The deciding factor will be who is mentally stronger and I believe that’s me because I don’t have the same pressure that Bernard does, so that gives me an advantage.
“I believe there’s a big Armenian community in New York, so ever since I found out that I was coming to New York, I’ve been hoping all of the Armenians will come out and support me.
“I’m happy that he accepted the fight. It’s by far the biggest fight of my career.
“It’s a joy listening to Bernard. He’s a smart guy and it’s been quite fun listening to him. In my opinion, the roles have reversed from his fight against Cloud. A lot of people were writing him off because he’s old. He was the dark horse in that fight, and I think the roles are switched now. I think right now I’m the underdog. I’m the dark horse. I’m caught in the crosshairs and I’ll turn up in the best shape possible. I’ll turn up with the right mind set and Bernard Hopkins is going to feel that on July 13.”
DAVID ITSKOWITCH, COO of Golden Boy Promotions
“This is the opportunity of a lifetime for Karo Murat. It’s his first time fighting in the United States. He’s fighting a living legend and a win over Bernard certainly puts him on the boxing map.
“Bernard is a guy that doesn’t need much of an introduction, but I feel his accolades are worth mentioning.
“He’s the oldest fighter ever to win a world title and one of the greatest moments in sports history was when Jean Pascal was slow getting off of his stool between rounds, Bernard decided to do pushups in the middle of the ring.
“He continued to make history with his record-setting unanimous decision win over previously unbeaten Tavoris Cloud in March at Barclays Center and that showed he’s far from finished. I think we’re going to be doing these press conferences for a few years to come.”
BRETT YORMARK, CEO of Barclays Center
“We’re thrilled to be hosting Bernard Hopkins and Karo Murat on July 13. On March 9, it was so dramatic at Barclays Center when we witnessed an incredible moment when Bernard won the title.
“He said to me after the fight that he wanted to make Barclays Center his home away from home, and here we go…he returns in July.
“We had a vision three years ago. Our goal was to bring dramatic moments to Barclays Center. To have a big time return of boxing back to a borough like Brooklyn where there is so much history and I think it’s unfolded just the way we’ve wanted it to.
“We’re building a brand and a business in Brooklyn. We’re very excited about it.
“We’re thrilled that Showtime continues to deliver us to a national audience.
“Thank you Bernard for defending your title at Barclays Center.”
STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive Vice President & General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports
“We’re very happy to be working with Barclays Center again. Brett and his team have been extremely creative in marketing and producing these events. Each event has had a larger crowd than the one prior, and that’s a sign of building a very solid business and building a solid venue in Brooklyn.
“We’re also very proud to be back in business again with Bernard Hopkins. The words ‘living legend’ get thrown around quite a bit but he literally is a living legend, a medical marvel and every time he fights it is truly an event.
“That’s not to ignore Karo Murat by any means. He’s, for those in the U.S. that might not know him as well, a fighter that has been highly avoided by many, many different fighters at different skill levels. I’m not surprised Bernard would take the challenge. It’s going to be a very competitive fight.”
