ATLANTIC CITY — Bernard Hopkins, already the oldest fighter to win a major world title, retained his International Boxing Federation light heavyweight belt with a unanimous decision over Karo Murat on Saturday.

Murat, a German of Armenian descent, was the more active fighter early on, but the 48-year-old Hopkins showed he was willing and able to go toe-to-toe with his 30-year-old foe.

Two ringside judges scored the 12-round bout at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall 119-108 for Hopkins, while a third saw it 117-110 for the US champion who improved to 54-6-2 with 32 knockouts.

Murat fell to 25-2-1, with 15 wins inside the distance. He said he wasn’t troubled by Hopkins’s trademark gamesmanship — which included a tongue-wagging taunt in the third round and a quick kiss on the challenger’s neck in a clinch in the fifth.

But Murat, fighting in the United States for the first time, said he was distracted by a cut over his left eye, and that hindered him even as he engaged the champion in a string of entertaining exchanges.

“The crowd wants to see skills, but they also want to see a little bit of blood,” Hopkins said. “So I’ve got a little bit of blood to give them. Sometimes, if you try to knock a guy out you’ve got to take risks.

Read more at Sports.inquirer.net

Marquez vs Bradley is an extremely intriguing match up with no clear favorite as both are premier fighters with superb skills.
Marquez is the more experienced, more technical counter-puncher with one-punch knockout power.
And Bradley, on the otherhand, is the younger, more agile, volume-puncher with elusive speed and quickness.

This is a match-up where proper and strict strategy application will be essential to both fighters.
Marquez is one of the most intelligent fighters in the sport today and outsmarting the veteran wizard surely won't be easy.

No one can question JMM's knowledge of the game and his ability to make adjustments in the ring without missing a beat. The biggest question most are asking is: How will Marquez's 40 year old reflexes will hold-up against the elusive 30 year old speedster?

But Marquez fully understands the disadvantage he holds and has been sparring with Bradley-esque fighters who can, to some degree, mimic Bradley's speed and movement.

Read more at Fightsaga.com

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao is bringing in a good old hand in a bid to change his fortune inside the ring.

The Filipino boxing icon, according to his adviser, Mike Koncz, has decided to once again tap the services of Australian strength guru Justin Fortune.

Pacquiao is stepping up his training for a decisive match with Brandon Rios on Nov. 24 at the Cotai Arena of The Venetian in Macau.

Pacquiao lost his two fights against Tim Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez last year, raising doubts if he’ll ever be the same again.

Alex Ariza, the strength coach from Colombia, is no longer around after a falling-out with trainer Freddie Roach, and to take his place is Fortune.

Ariza is now on the other side of the fence working for Rios but has maintained that he’s still hoping for the best for Pacquiao.

Read more at Philstar.com