Boxing legend Bernard Hopkins shares his thoughts on Mike Tyson fighting Jake Paul, and he’s not cool with it.
[autotag]Mike Tyson[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Jake Paul[/autotag] is not something boxing legend [autotag]Bernard Hopkins[/autotag] is into at all.
The multiple-time world champion thinks that Tyson is making a mistake by fighting Paul, a YouTuber-turned-boxer who’s 30 years younger than him. Tyson, an icon and one of the greatest in the history of boxing, is held in high regard by Hopkins – which is why he’s not on board with him fighting Paul.
“I don’t like it. I don’t like it,” Hopkins told Fight Hub TV and other reporters on Tuesday. “I look at Mike, I look at him different in a way of my era, like people looked at Ali. I looked at Ali different, too. Marvin Hagler, ‘Sugar’ Ray Robinson.
“I don’t like it. I think it’s becoming more of a side show with some sweat and maybe some blood, if we’re lucky. I won’t watch it. I could watch two turtles race and be more excited.”
Hopkins thinks Tyson fighting at 57 years of age is a bad look for his legacy. He thinks it cheapens his stock in boxing to be fighting someone like Paul.
“It’s because of how I look at Mike Tyson,” Hopkins said. “I’ve shared not only the ring with Mike Tyson a few times, but the era, a little tip of the era. I just think it degrades him. You’re getting 100 million, 200 million. Please, OK.”
Golden Boy has sued Ryan Garcia to ensure the popular fighter honors the remainder of his contract with the promotional firm.
Editor’s note: This article was updated with a statement from Ryan Garcia’s litigation counsel.
***
Golden Boy Promotions has sued Ryan Garcia and his attorney in United States District Court, District of Nevada to compel the popular fighter to honor his contract with the promotional company, according to a court document obtained by Boxing Junkie.
Garcia signed a five-year deal in the fall of 2019. However, Golden Boy said in the lawsuit that Garcia contends the contract is “void and unenforceable.”
Golden Boy accuses Garcia’s attorney, Lupe Valencia, of “driving a wedge” between his client and the company and leading him away from his obligations.
“Unfortunately, Garcia’s advisors have apparently convinced him that he does not need Golden Boy anymore,” the suit states. “One of those advisors, Valencia, has, for the last year or more, directly interfered with Golden Boy’s ability to communicate with Garcia and to negotiate the best deals and fights for Garcia. In fact, Valencia, in direct violation of Golden Boy’s
Agreement with Garcia, has engaged in negotiations with other promoters and boxers for Garcia’s fights. Valencia has done so despite explicitly knowing of the Agreement and its terms and has orchestrated an effort to drive a wedge between Garcia and Golden Boy.”
Golden Boy released a statement Friday in regard to the lawsuit: “Golden Boy has been proud to have worked with Ryan Garcia for the last several years and to help catapult him to the kind of stardom that led to the biggest boxing Pay Per View event in years just two months ago. With this filing, we are seeking to ensure that Ryan and his team will honor the remainder of his contract, a contract that Ryan himself called ‘one of the most lucrative boxing deals for a prospect in the history of the sport.’ Since then, Ryan has moved on to becoming a legitimate contender, and we will continue to present Ryan with the best possible opponents that can eventually lead the way to a world championship and a historic legacy.”
Garcia’s litigation counsel, James “Bo” Pearl, said in the formal statement that the lawsuit is retaliation to Garcia’s request for mediation.
The statement reads: “Golden Boy is obligated to promote and enhance Ryan Garcia, not malign him on Twitter and file a public, baseless lawsuit against him. Ironically, the lawsuit itself constitutes a breach of the very agreement Golden Boy is seeking to enforce. It is obvious retaliation to a written request by Ryan last week to mediate multiple breaches of contract by Golden Boy. Rather than address these serious issues in mediation (as is required under the contract), Golden Boy rushed to court to sue its fighter. To be sure, we will respond to this gamesmanship and fully enforce all of Ryan’s contractual rights against Golden Boy as well as his rights under state and federal law.”
On-and-off acrimony between the 140-pound contender and his promotional company reached a crescendo after his knockout loss to Gervonta Davis in a 136-pound bout on April 22.
Golden Boy executives Oscar De La Hoya and Bernard Hopkins failed to show up at the post-fight news conference, as did trainer Joe Goossen.
Garcia parted ways with Goossen and made other changes in his camp shortly after the fight but he has not made an announcement about his future with Golden Boy.
However, a war of nasty words between Garcia and De La Hoya, the founder of Golden Boy, on Twitter a few weeks ago made it clear that the relationship is on the rocks.
Garcia questioned the loyalty of De La Hoya and his team, to which the Hall of Fame fighter-turned-promoter responded: “Wtf @RyanGarcia it’s been almost two months and youre still crying about the post presser? The blame for your loss is on YOU and your “advisor” Lupe. He is the only one who pushed you to accept that INSANE rehydration clause and THAT is the reason you lost. Man up. Own that.”
Garcia responded to that tweet: “Okay buddy, you got it all figured out. Tired of you disrespecting my whole career and you think non[e] of it matters. Loyalty and common sense is lost in your head. Stop treating people that way and think that they will just accept it.”
Then came the lawsuit, which Golden Boy claims was unavoidable given the circumstances.
“Golden Boy was forced to file this action to protect and enforce its interests under the Agreement so that it can continue to make the best fights for Garcia and his fans and to deter Valencia and others from interfering with Golden Boy’s rights,” the suit states.
The relationship between Garcia and Golden Boy had soured by 2019. However, the contract extension seemed to resolve their differences.
Garcia, 21 at the time, couldn’t have been more pleased with the deal.
“Actions speak louder than words,” he said, according to ESPN. “I’m here today to show everybody that I consider Golden Boy my family and that we’re going to be in this together as I fulfill my dreams. Just like I have all the capabilities to become a big star, Golden Boy has all the tools to get me there. But I just want to tell all of our fans: Enjoy the ride!”
Davis knocked out Garcia (23-1, 19 KOs) with a body shot in Round 7 of their fight, which generated 1.2 million pay-per-view buys in the United States. Garcia moved down from 140 to 136 and accepted a rehydration clause to make the fight, which some believe was unwise.
Garcia is now expected to campaign at 140. He’s ranked in the Top 10 by all four major sanctioning bodies.
Golden Boy has sued Ryan Garcia to ensure the popular fighter honors the remainder of his contract with the promotional firm.
Editor’s note: This article was updated with a statement from Ryan Garcia’s litigation counsel.
***
Golden Boy Promotions has sued Ryan Garcia and his attorney in United States District Court, District of Nevada to compel the popular fighter to honor his contract with the promotional company, according to a court document obtained by Boxing Junkie.
Garcia signed a five-year deal in the fall of 2019. However, Golden Boy said in the lawsuit that Garcia contends the contract is “void and unenforceable.”
Golden Boy accuses Garcia’s attorney, Lupe Valencia, of “driving a wedge” between his client and the company and leading him away from his obligations.
“Unfortunately, Garcia’s advisors have apparently convinced him that he does not need Golden Boy anymore,” the suit states. “One of those advisors, Valencia, has, for the last year or more, directly interfered with Golden Boy’s ability to communicate with Garcia and to negotiate the best deals and fights for Garcia. In fact, Valencia, in direct violation of Golden Boy’s
Agreement with Garcia, has engaged in negotiations with other promoters and boxers for Garcia’s fights. Valencia has done so despite explicitly knowing of the Agreement and its terms and has orchestrated an effort to drive a wedge between Garcia and Golden Boy.”
Golden Boy released a statement Friday in regard to the lawsuit: “Golden Boy has been proud to have worked with Ryan Garcia for the last several years and to help catapult him to the kind of stardom that led to the biggest boxing Pay Per View event in years just two months ago. With this filing, we are seeking to ensure that Ryan and his team will honor the remainder of his contract, a contract that Ryan himself called ‘one of the most lucrative boxing deals for a prospect in the history of the sport.’ Since then, Ryan has moved on to becoming a legitimate contender, and we will continue to present Ryan with the best possible opponents that can eventually lead the way to a world championship and a historic legacy.”
Garcia’s litigation counsel, James “Bo” Pearl, said in the formal statement that the lawsuit is retaliation to Garcia’s request for mediation.
The statement reads: “Golden Boy is obligated to promote and enhance Ryan Garcia, not malign him on Twitter and file a public, baseless lawsuit against him. Ironically, the lawsuit itself constitutes a breach of the very agreement Golden Boy is seeking to enforce. It is obvious retaliation to a written request by Ryan last week to mediate multiple breaches of contract by Golden Boy. Rather than address these serious issues in mediation (as is required under the contract), Golden Boy rushed to court to sue its fighter. To be sure, we will respond to this gamesmanship and fully enforce all of Ryan’s contractual rights against Golden Boy as well as his rights under state and federal law.”
On-and-off acrimony between the 140-pound contender and his promotional company reached a crescendo after his knockout loss to Gervonta Davis in a 136-pound bout on April 22.
Golden Boy executives Oscar De La Hoya and Bernard Hopkins failed to show up at the post-fight news conference, as did trainer Joe Goossen.
Garcia parted ways with Goossen and made other changes in his camp shortly after the fight but he has not made an announcement about his future with Golden Boy.
However, a war of nasty words between Garcia and De La Hoya, the founder of Golden Boy, on Twitter a few weeks ago made it clear that the relationship is on the rocks.
Garcia questioned the loyalty of De La Hoya and his team, to which the Hall of Fame fighter-turned-promoter responded: “Wtf @RyanGarcia it’s been almost two months and youre still crying about the post presser? The blame for your loss is on YOU and your “advisor” Lupe. He is the only one who pushed you to accept that INSANE rehydration clause and THAT is the reason you lost. Man up. Own that.”
Garcia responded to that tweet: “Okay buddy, you got it all figured out. Tired of you disrespecting my whole career and you think non[e] of it matters. Loyalty and common sense is lost in your head. Stop treating people that way and think that they will just accept it.”
Then came the lawsuit, which Golden Boy claims was unavoidable given the circumstances.
“Golden Boy was forced to file this action to protect and enforce its interests under the Agreement so that it can continue to make the best fights for Garcia and his fans and to deter Valencia and others from interfering with Golden Boy’s rights,” the suit states.
The relationship between Garcia and Golden Boy had soured by 2019. However, the contract extension seemed to resolve their differences.
Garcia, 21 at the time, couldn’t have been more pleased with the deal.
“Actions speak louder than words,” he said, according to ESPN. “I’m here today to show everybody that I consider Golden Boy my family and that we’re going to be in this together as I fulfill my dreams. Just like I have all the capabilities to become a big star, Golden Boy has all the tools to get me there. But I just want to tell all of our fans: Enjoy the ride!”
Davis knocked out Garcia (23-1, 19 KOs) with a body shot in Round 7 of their fight, which generated 1.2 million pay-per-view buys in the United States. Garcia moved down from 140 to 136 and accepted a rehydration clause to make the fight, which some believe was unwise.
Garcia is now expected to campaign at 140. He’s ranked in the Top 10 by all four major sanctioning bodies.
Gervonta Davis gave Ryan Garcia a shove and had words with Bernard Hopkins during spicy weigh-in for their fight Saturday in Las Vegas.
Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia took advantage of one more opportunity to be nasty to one another before their pay-per-view fight Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Davis and Garcia both made the agreed-upon catch weight of 136 pounds, Davis coming in at 135.1 and Garcia weighing 135.5.
The fighters then engaged their final faceoff before they receive instructions from the referee in the ring.
Their words were unintelligible because of the din created by a large crowd outside T-Mobile. However, it was clear they had a lot to say and talked over one another.
Bernard Hopkins, a member of Garcia’s promotional team, evidently said something to Davis that upset the fighter. “Tank” turned to the Hall of Famer and they exchanged words.
Davis then turned back to Garcia, they continued to talk and Davis gave Garcia a shove, which prompted promoter Tom Brown to step between them and effectively end the formal portion of the weigh-in.
Davis was asked afterward about the exchange with Hopkins.
“He just needs to sit back and let the younger [fighters] do it,” he said and then reiterated what he planned to do to Garcia. “Punishment, knockout. It’s going to be crazy. Don’t blink your eye, don’t get no popcorn, don’t get no drink. None of that.
“Make sure y’all are focused on the fight because it’s going to be an incredible fight.”
Meanwhile, Garcia was asked how he felt after the weigh-in. The Los Angeles-area fighter agreed to come down to 136 after fighting at 140 his last two bouts.
“I feel good right now,” he said. “I had breakfast this morning so I feel strong.”
And what happened between Davis and Hopkins?
“I don’t really know, to be honest,” Garcia said. “He and Bernard just started to get into it and it became something crazy. I was focused, I’m staying focused. I’m ready to do my job.”
He went on: “I don’t have much to say. My focus now is just on Gervonta Davis. … I’m ready to destroy him. That’s it.”
The featured portion of the show begins at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.
Gervonta Davis gave Ryan Garcia a shove and had words with Bernard Hopkins during spicy weigh-in for their fight Saturday in Las Vegas.
Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia took advantage of one more opportunity to be nasty to one another before their pay-per-view fight Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Davis and Garcia both made the agreed-upon catch weight of 136 pounds, Davis coming in at 135.1 and Garcia weighing 135.5.
The fighters then engaged their final faceoff before they receive instructions from the referee in the ring.
Their words were unintelligible because of the din created by a large crowd outside T-Mobile. However, it was clear they had a lot to say and talked over one another.
Bernard Hopkins, a member of Garcia’s promotional team, evidently said something to Davis that upset the fighter. “Tank” turned to the Hall of Famer and they exchanged words.
Davis then turned back to Garcia, they continued to talk and Davis gave Garcia a shove, which prompted promoter Tom Brown to step between them and effectively end the formal portion of the weigh-in.
Davis was asked afterward about the exchange with Hopkins.
“He just needs to sit back and let the younger [fighters] do it,” he said and then reiterated what he planned to do to Garcia. “Punishment, knockout. It’s going to be crazy. Don’t blink your eye, don’t get no popcorn, don’t get no drink. None of that.
“Make sure y’all are focused on the fight because it’s going to be an incredible fight.”
Meanwhile, Garcia was asked how he felt after the weigh-in. The Los Angeles-area fighter agreed to come down to 136 after fighting at 140 his last two bouts.
“I feel good right now,” he said. “I had breakfast this morning so I feel strong.”
And what happened between Davis and Hopkins?
“I don’t really know, to be honest,” Garcia said. “He and Bernard just started to get into it and it became something crazy. I was focused, I’m staying focused. I’m ready to do my job.”
He went on: “I don’t have much to say. My focus now is just on Gervonta Davis. … I’m ready to destroy him. That’s it.”
The featured portion of the show begins at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.
Floyd Mayweather was brought to tears upon his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on Sunday in Verona, New York.
Floyd Mayweather vowed he wouldn’t get overly emotional but the moment got the better of him.
The greatest fighter of his generation was among a three-class group of stars inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on Sunday afternoon in Verona, New York, which, like so many others before him, brought him to tears.
He cried for two full minutes at the induction ceremony at Turning Stone Resort and Casino, where Roy Jones Jr., Bernard Hopkins, Shane Mosley, Andre Ward and others joined him.
“I don’t really know what to say,” he finally uttered, as seen in the FightHub TV video above. “I told myself I wouldn’t cry, but this is something beautiful. This is one of the best days of my life.”
Mayweather finished his career with a perfect record of 50-0 (27 KOs) and as the richest boxer ever, with reported career earnings of more than $800 million. No one in the sport could touch him in the ring or in the wallet.
He made sure to acknowledge the man most responsible for his success, father/trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr., who introduced him to boxing when he was a child. His late uncle, Roger Mayweather, also served as his trainer.
“I love my dad because without him, this wouldn’t be possible,” Mayweather said. “He’s the best trainer ever. There will never be another trainer that’s better than my dad.”
Mayweather added that he was grateful for wise advice his father gave him early in his career: Don’t take unnecessary punishment.
“I said, ‘You know what? I’m going to take less punishment,’” the younger Mayweather said. “I want to retire on my own terms, and I want to make smart investments so I’m able to live a comfortable life once my career is over.”
Three classes of electees were inducted on Sunday because two induction weekends were canceled, the result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Mayweather was joined in the men’s modern category by Hopkins (2020), Juan Manuel Marquez (2020), Mosley (2020), Wladimir Klitschko (2021), Ward (2021), Miguel Cotto (2022), Jones (2022) and James Toney.
The first class of women’s inductees in the modern category were also joined by those from two subsequent classes. They were Christy Martin (2020), Lucia Rijker (2020), Laila Ali (2021), Ann Wolfe (2021), Holly Holm (2022) and Regina Halmich (2022).
Klitschko wasn’t able to attend to the event because of the war in his home country of Ukraine.
Floyd Mayweather was brought to tears upon his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on Sunday in Verona, New York.
Floyd Mayweather vowed he wouldn’t get overly emotional but the moment got the better of him.
The greatest fighter of his generation was among a three-class group of stars inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on Sunday afternoon in Verona, New York, which, like so many others before him, brought him to tears.
He cried for two full minutes at the induction ceremony at Turning Stone Resort and Casino, where Roy Jones Jr., Bernard Hopkins, Shane Mosley, Andre Ward and others joined him.
“I don’t really know what to say,” he finally uttered, as seen in the FightHub TV video above. “I told myself I wouldn’t cry, but this is something beautiful. This is one of the best days of my life.”
Mayweather finished his career with a perfect record of 50-0 (27 KOs) and as the richest boxer ever, with reported career earnings of more than $800 million. No one in the sport could touch him in the ring or in the wallet.
He made sure to acknowledge the man most responsible for his success, father/trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr., who introduced him to boxing when he was a child. His late uncle, Roger Mayweather, also served as his trainer.
“I love my dad because without him, this wouldn’t be possible,” Mayweather said. “He’s the best trainer ever. There will never be another trainer that’s better than my dad.”
Mayweather added that he was grateful for wise advice his father gave him early in his career: Don’t take unnecessary punishment.
“I said, ‘You know what? I’m going to take less punishment,’” the younger Mayweather said. “I want to retire on my own terms, and I want to make smart investments so I’m able to live a comfortable life once my career is over.”
Three classes of electees were inducted on Sunday because two induction weekends were canceled, the result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Mayweather was joined in the men’s modern category by Hopkins (2020), Juan Manuel Marquez (2020), Mosley (2020), Wladimir Klitschko (2021), Ward (2021), Miguel Cotto (2022), Jones (2022) and James Toney.
The first class of women’s inductees in the modern category were also joined by those from two subsequent classes. They were Christy Martin (2020), Lucia Rijker (2020), Laila Ali (2021), Ann Wolfe (2021), Holly Holm (2022) and Regina Halmich (2022).
Klitschko wasn’t able to attend to the event because of the war in his home country of Ukraine.
Here is a list of the 10 greatest performances by boxers 40 or older.
Manny Pacquiao joined an exclusive fraternity when he defeated Keith Thurman by a split decision to win a major welterweight title in July 2019.
The ageless Filipino icon had turned 40 the previous December, which made his remarkable performance one of the best ever among fighters who are at least 40 years old.
How does it compare with other great performances by those 40-plus? Here’s a list of 10 that stand out, in order of magnitude.
Note: The Pacquiao vs. Errol Spence Jr. fight on Aug. 21 in less than a month away. This special feature is just one of many that will be posted in the coming weeks.
Here is a list of the 10 greatest performances by boxers 40 or older.
Manny Pacquiao joined an exclusive fraternity when he defeated Keith Thurman by a split decision to win a major welterweight title in July 2019.
The ageless Filipino icon had turned 40 the previous December, which made his remarkable performance one of the best ever among fighters who are at least 40 years old.
How does it compare with other great performances by those 40-plus? Here’s a list of 10 that stand out, in order of magnitude.
Note: The Pacquiao vs. Errol Spence Jr. fight on Aug. 21 in less than a month away. This special feature is just one of many that will be posted in the coming weeks.
Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. aren’t the only major boxers to fight into their 50s. Here a five others who did it.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on DAZN.com.
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Fifty-four-year-old Mike Tyson will face 51-year-old Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition this Saturday at Staples Center in Los Angeles. But it won’t be the first time former world champions have stepped into the ring at such an advanced age.
Tyson and Jones will compete over eight two-minute rounds in a contest not officially recognized as a professional boxing bout, but other evergreen fighters have competed at a high level — even sometimes in world title fights.
Jones himself last competed in a sanctioned bout in 2018 at the age of 49 with a unanimous-decision victory over an overwhelmed Scott Sigmon. But here are five fighters who went even longer.
ROBERTO DURAN
Less than a month after his 50th birthday, Duran (103-16, 70 KOs) stepped between the ropes for what would be the final time in his professional career.
Duran, a former four-weight world champion and undisputed lightweight kingpin, notched two consecutive wins in the year 2000 against Americans Pat Lawlor and Patrick Goossen, both via unanimous decision and the former taking place on his 49th birthday. The following year, “Manos de Piedra” went one step further.
In a rematch against Hector “Macho” Camacho at super middleweight, Duran tried — and failed — to avenge a defeat to Camacho from five years prior. Camacho, himself approaching 40, was ruled the winner by all three ringside judges, as he was in 1996 at middleweight.
BOB FITZSIMMONS
Old-time slugger Fitzsimmons was boxing’s first ever three-weight world champion and the lightest-ever heavyweight champ at just 165 pounds. And in 1914, the Brit went out with a win at the age of 51.
His six-round victory over Jersey Bellew on Feb. 20 at the Municipal Hall in South Bethlehem, Penn., came via “newspaper decision,” a common designation at the time that was determined by a consensus of sportswriters in attendance in regions that had not yet adopted the National Sporting Club of London’s rules regarding judges and referees.
BERNARD HOPKINS
“The Executioner” was 51 years, 337 days old when he was stopped in the eighth of 12 scheduled rounds by Joe Smith Jr. in a fight for a minor light heavyweight title on Dec. 17, 2016. But though he lost his final two bouts to Sergey Kovalev and Smith, Hopkins will forever be remembered as one of the sport’s timeless greats.
Hopkins not only fought into his late 40s and early 50s, he became the oldest to win a major title at age 46 before breaking his own record twice in 2013 and 2014.
LARRY HOLMES
Former heavyweight champion Holmes fought twice in his 50s. The first time was on Nov. 17, 2000, when he halted Mike Weaver in Round 6 in Biloxi, Miss.
Then, on July 27, 2002, “The Easton Assassin” called it a day in unique style. The 52-year-old won a 10-round decision over legendary sideshow fighter Eric “Butterbean” Esch, who weighed 300-plus pounds, at the Norfolk Scope in Virginia. It left Holmes with a final record of 69-6 (44 KOs).
JACK JOHNSON
The trailblazing Texan and first African-American world heavyweight champion continued to compete until the ripe of age of 60. Yes, 60!
Johnson lost to Walter Price via seventh-round KO in his final professional fight, though he continued to compete in short exhibitions known as “cellar fights” for private audiences until the age of 67 in order to make a living. He died at 68 in a car crash in North Carolina.
