Boxer, 49, faces off against man 21 years younger nicknamed "The Crusher" , Latest Others News - The New Paper
Sports

Boxer, 49, faces off against man 21 years younger nicknamed "The Crusher"

Boxer Bernard Hopkins, 49, is hoping to extend his claim as the oldest boxing champion in history.

How? By going up against Russian Sergey Kovalev, a man nicknamed "The Crusher".

His opponent - 21 years his junior - fought and beat Roman Simakov, who suffered brain injuries and died three days later in 2011.

This time, the bout is taking place at Boardwalk Hall Arena in New Jersey on Sunday (Nov 9, Singapore time) . 

Bernard Hopkins works out for an upcoming fight against Sergey Kovalev​. Photo: AFP

 

Hopkins, a Philadelphia native, is gearing up for his 66th professional bout.

He will be two months shy of his 50th birthday as he tries to enhance his record as the oldest champion in boxing history. 

As the light heavyweight unification fight looms, the man has nothing but fighting words:

This isn’t about being an athlete, a boxer or whatever it is. This is something separate. Me as a man.

I’ve been here since 1965. I have been special ever since. I still have the hunger to prove myself.” - Bernard Hopkins

Boxing was Hopkins' path out of trouble with the law.

He has been arrested more than two dozen times and served time in prison for armed robbery before being paroled at the age of 23.

He has also been stabbed three times.

Legal troubles aside, Hopkins will face his most dangerous opponent yet in Russian Kovalev.

To date, Kovalev has chalked up 25 wins and only four of his opponents lasted more than four rounds. 


 Sergey Kovalev performs a workout during a training session. Photo: AFP

 

“All roads lead to this fight. This is a huge fight in my career and in my life, Bernard Hopkins is a legend.

He is a professor of professional boxing. This fight is dangerous for me but this fight is also dangerous for him.” - Sergey Kovalev

 Sources: AFP, Twitter 

boxingBernard Hopkinscrusher