Hamburg The figureheads of German promoter Universum Box-Promotion seek their next big fights in different directions. Whereas the next contests of heavyweight brothers Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko will take place in the US, there are negotiations going on for a showdown between middleweight world champion Bernard Hopkins and WBO light heavyweight champ Dariusz Michalczewski in Germany. That's what promoter Klaus-Peter Kohl announced today on a press conference in Hamburg. It's 95% certain that the next title defense of Wladimir Klitschko will take place in the US. As challenger we want Ray Mercer, Kohl said in front of numerous journalists, photographers and camera teams.
The fight is tentatively scheduled for June 29. Possible locations are New York, as well as cities in New Jersey or Connecticut. Wladimir's older brother Vitali Klitschko is lined up for another appearance in the US as well. He will possibly step into the ring on the undercard of the mega fight between Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson on June 8 in Memphis. However, according to Kohl several alternatives are in the talks as well. At the same time the Hamburg based promoter is close to secure a big fight for the most successful world champion of his boxing stable: Dariusz Michalczewski. After the WBO lightheavyweight champion over and again expressed his desire to fight against his American rival Roy Jones, the German promoter is now in negotiations for a highly interesting alternative option: A fight between The Tiger and middleweight world champion Bernard Hopkins. I've been negotiating with Don King in New York who represents Bernard Hopkins, Kohl said. We want to realize a fight between Michalczewski and Bernard Hopkins. All parties involved want it: King, Universum, Hopkins and Michalczewski. The fight would take place at light heavyweight later this year in Germany. It would create great interest over here and I could imagine that it takes place at an outdoor arena. American Bernard Hopkins is a middleweight world champion since 7 years. Since he unified three 160 lb. crowns and impressively knocked out undefeated super star Felix Trinidad he is not only considered the best middleweight worldwide but also one of the pound-for-pound best fighters. Experts currently regard Hopkins as being as strong as Roy Jones even though the letter scored a decision against Hopkins 7 years ago - but never granted him a rematch.
For years we've been trying to realize a fight between Jones and Michalczewski without success. But Hopkins is different than Jones. He is not afraid of a great challenge and he is willing to come to Germany. Don King and me agree that it would be more attractive to stage this fight in Germany than in the US.
Hopkins is currently holding the world titles of WBC, WBA and IBF at middleweight. For a fight against the Tiger the 6-foot athlete from Philadelphia would need put on 15 pounds.
The fight would be shown live by HBO in the US. We will still discuss the broadcasting time. But everything looks very good. In contrast to the Jones team everybody involved wants that fight his promoter King as well as the boxer.
A fight between Tiger Michalczewski and Executioner Hopkins would not only be a fascinating showdown on the highest level of boxing. At the same time it would be a hurtful sideswipe to Roy Jones. It's because in the past years the man from Pensacola used to not only avoid the light heavyweight champion from Germany but also his countryman Hopkins.
Before a Michalczewski-Hopkins clash can be finalized, the WBO champion first has to defend his crown successfuly on April 20 in Gdansk against American Joey de Grandis. It would the 21st successful title defense for the undefeated Michalczewski, 45-0 (38 KOs).
