On Saturday October 15, 2011 at the Staples Center in Downtown, Los Angeles, CA, HBO boxing Pay-Per-View and Golden Boy Promotions presents “Believe It Or Not!: Bernard Hopkins vs. Chad Dawson.”
Light Heavyweight Championship Main Event: Bernard Hopkins (52-5-2) vs. Chad Dawson (30-1) for the Ring magazine World Light Heavyweight Championship, WBC light heavyweight belt – Bernard Hopkins is the oldest boxer in history to win a championship belt at the age of 46 and he will try to continue making history by defending his belt against “Bad” Chad Dawson.
Lightweight championship bout: Antonio DeMarco (25-2-1) vs. Jorge Linares (31-1) for the Vacant WBC lightweight belt – Once marketed as the next Golden Boy, Jorge Linares of Venezuela fell off the map after suffering a knockout loss to Juan Carlos Salgado in 2009 but he believes with his new team consisting of head trainer Freddie Roach and conditioning coach Alex Ariza and being the main sparring partner for the great Manny Pacquiao he should be able to defeat the tall Mexican southpaw Antonio DeMarco for the vacant WBC Lightweight belt.
Junior Welterweight bout: Danny Garcia (21-0) vs. Kendall Holt (27-4) – Danny Garcia is an undefeated boxing prospect who will take a huge step up in competition when he faces the hard hitting veteran and former world title holder Kendall Holt. The two fighters exchanged heated words during the press conference and weigh in and will bring that fire into the ring on Oct. 15.
Welterweight bout: Paulie Malignaggi (29-4) vs. Orlando Lora (28-1-1) – Malignaggi is looking to turn his career around with a run at a new division, the former 140-pound Junior Welterweight champion believes the move to 147 has helped him fight with more energy and vigor, his opponent is a tough Mexican fighter named Orlando Lora.
Also on the Hopkins vs. Dawson undercard but on the non-televised portion is Dewey Bozella the ESPN Arthur Ashe Courage Award Recipient who is making his pro boxing debut at the age of 52-years old and after being locked up in prison for 26-years for a murder he didn’t commit. Dewey Bozella credits boxing for keeping him going in prison and helping him maintain his fighting spirit while locked up. Dewey Bozella will be fighting Larry Hopkins (no relation to Bernard Hopkins) in a non-televised Cruiserweight bout.
“Believe It Or Not!: Hopkins vs. Dawson” is a 12-round bout for Bernard Hopkins’ WBC and Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight Championship Belts taking place on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at the STAPLES Center in Downtown, Los Angeles, California and will be produced and broadcasted live by HBO Pay-Per-View® starting at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m.
