IBF light heavyweight champ Bernard Hopkins (53-6-2, 32 KOs) has never been at a loss for words when discussing an upcoming fight and today was no different.
During a media roundtable this morning in New York City, Hopkins made some comical remarks about himself; particularly about his ability to continue fighting at a high level at his age, as he prepares to make his first title defense against Karo Murat on July 13 in Brooklyn.
?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,? proclaimed Hopkins.
?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.?
Getting back to Earth, Hopkins spoke about leaving a legacy and particularly about fighting at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
?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,? said Hopkins.
?If you don?t know Karo Murat, then you?ll know him after July 13.
Murat (25-1-1, 15 KOs) is 3-0-1 since a 2010 TKO loss to current light heavyweight titleholder Nathan Cleverly, which included a draw against the talented Gabriel Campillo.
?I think you should pay attention, because I know when I was a number one contender, I was hungry for a title,? explained Hopkins. ?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.?
?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.
Murat was not able to make the roundtable session, but did join the media in attendance via video chat and chimed in on his title opportunity.
?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. 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,? said Murat. ?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,? Murat continued. ?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.?
