Hector’s Headlines

Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins fighting Chad Dawson for the rematch of the WBC light heavyweight title.

Saturday April 28, 2012 in Atlantic, City, NJ, Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins

(52-5, 32 KO’s) will be taking on Chad “Bad” Dawson (30-1, 17KO’s) for the WBC light heavyweight title. Back in June of 2006 Hopkins moved up from middleweight after losing his titles to Jermain Taylor (30-4, 18KO’s) after reigning that division forever. He then moved up to light heavyweight and won the IBO light heavyweight title by defeating Antonio Tarver (29-6, 20KO’s) in June of 2006. In 2011 in Montreal Canada, he captured the WBC light heavyweight title by defeating Jean Pascal (26-2, 16KO‘s) by unanimous decision.

Now he will be fighting the rematch against Dawson after a freak accident in the ring where he separated his shoulder and the fight was called a no contest. The 47 year old Hopkins will be going against the 29 year old Dawson in Atlantic City, NJ, which will be held on HBO (non-PPV) in what will be an interesting fight. Some people can just defy father time, and Hopkins seems to keep doing it time after time. Hopkins is quoted as saying “When it comes to speed, when it comes to talent, when it comes to hit and not get hit without running, when it comes to the basic fundamentals of boxing, I believe that I’m the most underrated fighter that ever laced a pair of gloves on, that reached a level that I’ve reached in my 24 years.”

Before fighting Hopkins, Dawson defeated Antonio Tarver twice, Glen Johnson, and Jean Pascal. By coincidence, Dawson has been fighting opponents above 173lbs since 2006, the same year Hopkins moved up from middleweight. Although most opponents that move up in weight, you would think it would be a detriment to them, but not Hopkins. He may be getting older, but his skill in the squared ring is what always evens out in a fight like this. Hopkins hasn’t lost in four years since prowling in the light heavyweight division and he would make “Big” George Foreman proud by doing what he is doing at his age. Hopkins is quoted as saying “I’ll just continue to kick the naysayer’s [expletive] in and out of the ring, because that’s the task that I’ve always been up against.”

Larry “Slomoshun” Smith – Dallas, Texas

Larry “Slomoshun” Smith (10-9, 7KO’s) is still on the fast pace of keeping busy in the ring. This time he will be on a Top Rank promoted venue in Pomona California against Wale “Lucky Boy” Omotoso (21-0, 18KO’s) for a scheduled 8 rounder. Dallas’ Smith has his hands full on Saturday but he is not shy about taking on any fighter. He will be on the undercard of the Roman Gonzalez (31-0) vs. Ramon Hirales (16-3-1) (The Ring Magazine #2 Jr. Flyweight vs. #8) fight at the Fairplex, in Pomona, CA.