The oldest fighter in boxing history to win a world title, Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins, and former World Champion “Bad” Chad Dawson will meet again to settle their heated feud following their October 2011 bout, which was originally scored as a TKO win for Dawson, but later ruled a no decision by the California State Athletic Commission. The two are ready to resume their high-stakes rivalryon Saturday, April 28 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The 12 round bout for Hopkins’ WBC and Ring Magazine light heavyweight world championships will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET/7:15 p.m. PT.
“Chad Dawson can say whatever he wants, but I am not going to trash talk this one,” said Hopkins. “Everyone knows what I am capable of in the ring. They have seen it over 50 times 
before in the last 20 plus years. I will say that I am really happy that this is on HBO so that all of my fans from across the country can see me continue this unprecedented path. I absolutely want to prove that I can beat Chad Dawson, another guy that is almost two decades younger than me and I am confident I will on April 28.”
“The first fight did not go as planned, but I’m confident I was going to win that night,” said Dawson. “Hopkins is going to have to face his fears. Bernard tried to run away from me, but here we are again. I’m thrilled about the whole situation. I’m very excited to fight on the East Coast because a lot of my fans will be there to see me live. I know I’ll be ready come fight night.”
“Whenever Bernard Hopkins fights, I get the chills because he is a living legend,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “Bernard has an amazing history, having fought and defeated so many world champions. I truly believe that he and Dawson facing off in Atlantic City on HBO World Championship Boxing is a recipe for an unforgettable night.”
“The score must be settled once and for all,” said Gary Shaw, CEO of Gary Shaw Productions. “Chad Dawson has something to prove. We all know Bernard Hopkins is a future Hall of Famer, but Chad is not going to let him get away with any of his antics or funny stuff. Chad wanted this bout and now that he has it, he’s going to do whatever it takes to be a champion once again.”
“Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson have unfinished business and we look forward to televising this intriguing light heavyweight showdown,” said Kery Davis, senior vice president, programming, HBO Sports. “Bernard’s credentials as a future Hall of Famer are firmly established and he captured the world’s attention last year when he won a world title at the age of 46. Chad is an extremely talented fighter in his prime. This sets up to be a hard-fought encounter that boxing fans will be excited to see.”
“Bernard Hopkins is a world champion athlete who grew up and trained in the greater Philadelphia area, just a short ride from Atlantic City, so this fight is going to be a great draw for Atlantic City,” said Don Marrandino, Eastern Division President for Caesars Entertainment. “Some of the greatest boxing matches and sporting events have been hosted in Atlantic City and on April 28, Historic Boardwalk Hall will be the backdrop to what could be Hopkins’ most historic fights and likely one of the final bouts of his career – he’s one of the most exciting boxers to watch and one of the greatest athletes of the past 50 years.”
“Hopkins vs. Dawson: Once And For All,” a 12 round bout for Hopkins’ WBC and Ring Magazine light heavyweight world championships, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions and sponsored by Caesars Atlantic City. The bout will take place from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey and be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET/7:15 p.m. PT.
Dawson would have won the first bout and will win in this second bout! I have great respect for B. Hopkins and mostly because he has become more of a skilled boxer in his later career, than in his first act in his youth! He was basically a straight thug in the ring and I think most people seem to forget that over the years? Dawson is an all-time talent, and it’s a shame that only insiders realize it. The torch will be passed to Dawson come April 28, and with good match making, Dawson should take his rightful place among the best p4p in boxing today!
You read my mind Johnny on the ppv thing, I’m glad they didnt try selling this again. The first one wasn’t bad cuz the undercards were good, but the stupidity of Dawson throwing Hopkins to the floor killed the whole event. Hopefully Dawson can act like an adult this time.
Good thing they didn’t try to put this on PPV again, the only good thing that came out of that enitre PPV was the DeMarco/Linares fight. I hope that they actually make it a good fight this time around. I’d like Hopkins to win but I think Dawson will take this fight but I can’t completely write off Hopkins. (made that mistake a few times) I’d hope that Hopkins will retire after this fight win or lose.
Comments are closed.