HBO PPV Winky Wright Vs Bernard Hopkins
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Late JulyDescription
When boxing historians look back at the current era of boxing, two names will stand out among the finest of this generation -- Bernard Hopkins and Winky Wright. But for these fierce competitors, being one of the elite isn't enough. On Saturday, July 21st, at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, live on HBO Pay-Per-View, Hopkins and Wright will battle one another to claim supremacy.

"I'm back and my record speaks for itself," said Hopkins, the former undisputed middleweight champion whose Ring magazine light heavyweight belt will be on the line in this 170-pound bout. "I was champion for over ten years, had 20 defenses and a win over a man they said was the best light heavyweight in the world, Antonio Tarver. Winky Wright is a good fighter, but I'm a great fighter, and I'll prove that once again on July 21st."

"I'm glad that Bernard stepped up to the plate to fight me when no one else wanted to take the challenge and I respect him for that," said Wright. "But that will all go out the window when we step into the ring on July 21st. I'm younger, faster, stronger and better than Hopkins and he knows it."

A true legend of the game and a future Hall of Famer, the Philadelphia native Bernard 'The Executioner' Hopkins (47-4-1, 32 KOs) ruled the middleweight division for over a decade and defended his title a record 20 times, defeating the likes of Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad, William Joppy, and Glen Johnson. In 2005, he would lose his title in controversial fashion to Jermain Taylor, and after another disputed loss in their rematch, many believed Hopkins' best days had passed. But in June of 2006, at the age of 41, the Philadelphia native moved up in weight for the first time in his career and was brilliant dominating the top 175-pound fighter in the world, Antonio Tarver, en route to a lopsided decision win. Hopkins announced his retirement immediately following his monumental accomplishment but shortly thereafter, decided he was still physically and mentally capable of fighting big fights against his elite peers. On July 21st, Hopkins will again look to show the world that age "ain't nothin' but a number" when he takes on Winky Wright.

The pride of St. Petersburg, Florida, 35-year old southpaw Winky Wright (51-3-1, 25 KOs) took the long road to boxing stardom. A standout amateur, Wright was forced to go overseas to get fights in the early part of his career, but it was in his opponents' backyards that he learned the finer points of the game and developed the mental toughness that led him to the world junior middleweight title in 2001. Wright would defend his title six times (including two wins over Shane Mosley) before moving up to the middleweight division and nearly shutting out Felix Trinidad in 2005 in one of the most masterful performances in years. Two fights later, Wright would fight to a controversial draw with Jermain Taylor in a fight most believed he won, but with a win over former world cha
Performers
Ronald "Winky" Wright 51-3-1 with 25 Ko's vs Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins 47-4-1 with 32 Ko's Two of boxing's most notable fighters face off Live on HBO PPV Both Winky Wright and Bernard Hopkins are considered among the Best Pound for Pound Boxers in the world. They are fighting for Hopkins Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight Championship Belt. There is also 2 Championship fights on the undercard. The undercard of Hopkins vs. Wright "Coming to Fight" will showcase two exciting World Championship bouts featuring the United States debut of two of boxing's most exciting rising stars. Veteran featherweight star and former WBC Super Bantamweight Champion Oscar "Chololo" Larios will have the opportunity to add another title to his extensive resume. However, he will have to get past the undefeated Venezuelan Jorge Linares as they battle for the vacant WBC Interim Featherweight Championship in a bout that will mark the U.S. debut for the young, powerful Linares. The other explosive bout set to hit the airwaves that night includes the American debut of undefeated WBO Interim World Lightweight Champion Michael Katsidis, of Australia, when he takes on the aggressive Filipino Czar Amonsot. Both bouts make up the featured televised undercard for Hopkins vs. Wright to be held Saturday, July 21st from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and will be broadcast live on HBO Pay-Per-View.
Venue
Mandalay Bay Casino
Times
9:00 p.m. EST/ 6:00 P.M. PST
Infophone
310-4679341
Email
sai_gordon@ca.rr.com