Still no opponent for Bernard Hopkins, but 51yo will fight in Philly this June.

...and then retire immediately, win lose or draw.

He previously has chased after Golovkin, Abraham, Stevenson, and some other luminaries but the former two have prior engagements scheduled that would make them unavailable for Hopkins in June (Golovkin with Dominic Wade on the horizon and Gilberto Ramirez Sanchez challenging for Abraham's title, both in April) while the latter has outright ducked the old man numerous times going back a few years now.

A real possibility - as he is a moderate east-coast draw (at least in NYC where he sells lots of tickets disproportionate to his fame beyond state borders) and not a huge threat (as would be the case in a Kovalev II or Beterbiev) to deal the legend the ignominy of spoiling his unblemished never-stopped record - is Seanie Monaghan. :think

 

...or Fonfara, who's just as big a draw in Chicago.

 

Philadelphia does have a 4.3% Polish and 13% Irish population. :think

...and honestly people will probably turn out in droves to see Hopkins versus anyone in his swansong anyway.

 

That would be so amazing.

 

..would require GBP and Haymon to cooperate, however.

 

I can't think of anyone but Monaghan and Fonfara that a) isn't tied up with a fight scheduled, b) wouldn't be ruled out by politics or ducking, c) is good/meaningful enough for Hopkins to bother with (Seanie has the unbeaten record; Andrzej the higher ranking and more street cred) and d) is "safe" enough that you'd still favor Hopkins.

 

Already in training (gym pics cropping up on Instagram) but no opponent named...two months out. You'd think he might want to get that part over with so it can start being promoted? :think

 

Nope, just Philly - nor a date, just that it will be in June.