GOLDEN BOY LIVE! CELEBRATES "THE ALIEN" WITH STELLAR FIGHT CARD FROM THE 2300 ARENA IN PHILADELPHIA ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 20th T

HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY BERNARD HOPKINS FIGHT CARD TO FEATURE ERIC HUNTER VS. RENE ALVARADO Tickets on Sale Now! LOS ANGELES (Dec. 26) - On TUESDAY, JANUARY 20th, Golden Boy Promotions will celebrate Bernard Hopkins' 50th birthday with a night of boxing fit for a legend. This special Golden Boy Live! installment is set to give fans something to celebrate along with the "The Alien's" landmark moment. The night of fights will air on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes live from the 2300 Arena in Bernard's hometown of Philadelphia. In the main event, Philly's own Eric "The Outlaw" Hunter (19-3, 10 KOs) faces highly regarded Nicaraguan junior lightweight contender Rene "Gemelo" Alvarado (21-3, 14 KOs) in a 10-round featherweight bout. In the super lightweight co-main 10-round event, rising junior welterweight star Michael "The Artist" Perez of Newark, New Jersey looks to extend his current unbeaten streak to eight fights, he will face a to be announced opponent. Plus, Opening the televised action is Washington, D.C.'s undefeated fighter Lamont Roach Jr. (5-0, 2 KOs) in a six-round junior lightweight battle against an opponent yet to be named. "I'm so excited that Golden Boy has decided to honor my birthday in this way," said Hopkins. "The best present that they can give me is to bring a great night of fights to my hometown and give Philly boxing fans something to celebrate." Hopkins, fresh from his hard-fought 12-round title fight with Sergey Kovalev on November 8, turns 50 on January 15th. "The Alien" will attend the event held in his honor and will be featured on the television broadcast. Hunter vs. Alvarado, a 10-round featherweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Joe Hand Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra, O'Reilly Auto Parts and Mexico - Live It To Believe It!  Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the first bell rings at 7:00 p.m. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 5:00 p.m. PT. Tickets for the event are priced at $75 for ringside, $50 for general reserved and $35 for reserved corner are on sale now.   Tickets are available by calling(215) 364-9000, online at www.wanatix.com or at 2300 Arena, 2300 S. Swanson St., Philadelphia, PA 19148. Hard-nosed Philly native Eric "The Outlaw" Hunter (19-3, 10 KOs) is a popular local hero who is ready to make his name on the national and international scene. Unbeaten in four of his last five fights, the 28-year-old won the USBA title last March with a win over Yenifel Vicente and in his most recent outing, he stopped 11-1 prospect Daniel Ramirez in six rounds. Managua, Nicaragua's Rene "Gemelo" Alvarado(21-3, 14 KOs) has won four of his last five bouts, most recently bouncing back from an upset loss to Rocky Juarez by defeating Juan Pablo Sanchez for the WBC International title in October. Eager to get back into the title race in 2015, the 25-year-old wants to deliver the kind of performances that guarantee a shot at the 130-pound crown. Hailing from Newark, New Jersey, Michael "The Artist" Perez(21-1, 10 KOs) is excited to take the trip to Philadelphia for what is close enough to be called a home game. With a record of 6-0-1 in his last seven bouts, the 24-year-old is coming off of two successful defenses of his WBA Fedelatin Title in 2014 when he defeated Jorge Romero and Jared Robinson. Currently ranked sixth in the world by the WBA, Perez wants to make a statement in his first fight of 2015 that he's ready for a shot at the world championship. Undefeated newcomer, Lamont Roach Jr. (5-0, 2 KOs) is quickly becoming an exciting fighter to watch in the sport. Hailing from Washington D.C., Roach Jr., scored a knockdown and dominated a four-round decision over Puerto Rico's Alexander Charneco in his Dec 6 bout. For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.FOXSports.com/FOXSports1,www.FOXDeportes.com, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @Swanson_comm,@FOXSports, @FOXSports1, @FOXDeportes, @JoeHandPromo and, become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/FOXDeportes, www.facebook.com/JoeHandPromotions and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @JoeHandPromo

Antonio 'Magic Man' Tarver Not concerned about ring rust

Returns Thursday night on ESPN2 vs. Johnathon Banks in California

MIAMI (Dec. 8, 2014) - Five-time world champion Antonio "Magic Man" Tarver (30-6, 21 KOs) won't be concerned about rust this Thursday night when he fights for the first time in more than a year against veteran Johnathan Banks (29-2-1, 19 KOs). Tarver-Banks is a 10-round heavyweight fight, presented on a Goossen Promotions card, airing live on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes from Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California. Tarver suffered a now-fully-healed fractured thumb to his left hand, closer to the wrist, postponing the original September 29th fight date versus Banks. The 1996 U.S. Olympian has had only five fights in the last six years. "I'm not concerned with rust," the cagey southpaw said. "If I'm rusty, it will only be until I'm hit. I've been trying to wear off ring rust with intelligent sparring but that's not like getting reps of a fight. "I have to beat a solid heavyweight with power like Banks to get where I want to be. I will become the oldest world heavyweight champion in boxing history! He will be surprised by a lot of what I bring into the ring." Tarver has been training at the Brazilian Rocky Fight Club in Miami for the past three months to prepare for Thursday's fight with Banks, who trained world heavyweight champion Wladmir Klitschko for his recent knockout win over Kubrat Pulev. "I always stress to my fighters in the gym for them to work in rhythm and not be sluggish," Tarver's head trainer Orlando Cuellar explained. "Sluggishness and not fighting in rhythm are what shows when there's ring rust. You always worry about rust. I can honestly say Antonio hasn't looked rusty but, working in the gym and actual fighting are two different things, and we really won't really know until this week's fight. Antonio has always told me that he's not a good gym fighter but that, once the bell rings for the first round, he's a great fighter. "This is the first fight we've worked together and Antonio has done everything I've asked of him in training for the last three months. He took five days off to be examined by his personal doctor and other than that he's been working hard, even when he wore a cast. The first four weeks were tough for him because I train my fighters to stop and drop their opponent. It's high intensity work, much harder than most fighters go through, but he's given his all in workouts and sparring. With our experience, his as a fighter and me as a trainer, I expect nothing less than the best from Antonio. It'll be much easier for both of us, training-wise, for his next fight." The 46-year-old Tarver, fighting out of Tampa, was one of the world's top pound-for-pound fighters during a 4-year, 9-fight stretch between 2002-2006, in which he had a 6-3 record, defeating Roy Jones, Jr. in two of three, splitting a pair with Glen Johnson, defeating Montell Griffin, Eric Harding and Reggie Johnson, and losing to Bernard Hopkins. Banks, 32, has been out of action even longer than Tarver, having last fought June 23, 2013 in a 12-round loss by unanimous decision to Seth Mitchell. ""Every fight is independent in itself," Tarver noted, "so, I can't say I've fought anybody like Banks. I have fought a lot of guys with power who know how to box. Everybody has two hands and two feet but he can only use one hand at a time. I simplify things. I will be in my best shape and I won't be surprised by whatever he brings into the ring." INFORMATION: www.OfficialAntonioTarver.com  @MagicMan5XChamp

Cuban trainer Ismael Salas in Beibut Shumenov's corner

Beibut Shumenov (R) in action (photo by Emily Harney) LAS VEGAS (Dec. 8, 2014) - After being self-trained for his last three fights, former World Boxing Association (WBA) Light Heavyweight World champion Beibut Shumenov (14-2, 9 KOs) is now working in Las Vegas with highly-regarded Cuban head trainer Ismael Salas. Salas, who has trained world champions such as Guillermo Rigondeaux, Yuriokis Gamboa, Danny Green, Jesse Vargas and Jorge Linares, is preparing Shumenov for his cruiserweight debut this Saturday night (Dec. 13) against West Virginia fighter Bobby Thomas Jr. (14-2, 9 KOs) in an eight-round bout for the NABA US title, on the Golden Boy Promotions-presented Khan-Alexander card at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. "I've had a lot of changes after my last fight," the 31-year-old Shumenov said. "I trained myself for the last three fights but now I have added a great trainer, Ismael Salas, to my team. "I come from Kazakhstan and I was taught the Soviet Union boxing program.  The Cuban boxing program has a lot of similarities, so, for me it was easy to pick up Ismael's teaching method.  The addition of Ismael to my team, along with a few other minor changes, has brought about a real positive environment. I look forward again to going to the gym every day and having fun."   "There was chemistry between us from the beginning," Salas explained. "In Beibut, I found the old Russian and Cuban boxing fundamentals, so, it was easy for me to approach Beibut's style but in a professional manner. We talk with all key members of Team Shumenov to discuss his weekly training, including sparring, to do everything the right way. "We started working together in September and fortunately I provided the right tools he needed for his style. Since the beginning I've explained to him that I wouldn't change his style, just improve it and approach him about working angles better. His strength is toughness and power punching. All he needs is to maintain his game plan. As long as he stays healthy going into a fight - that is most important - moving up to cruiserweight will not affect his power and mobility." WBA No. 2 rated cruiserweight Shumenov, a 2004 Kazakhstan Olympian who lives in Las Vegas, captured the WBA light heavyweight title January 29, 2010 by way of a 12-round decision over Gabriel Campillo. Fighting as a professional in only his 10th  professional bout, Shumenov established the fewest-fights record for the light heavyweight champion of a major organization with his victory over Campillo.   Shumenov successfully defended his WBA light heavyweight title belt five times against previously unbeaten mandatory challenger Vyacheslav Uzelkov (DEC12), former world champion William Joppy (KO6), multiple world title challengers Danny Santiago (TKO) and Enrique Ornelas (DEC12), and previously undefeated Tamas Kovacs (TKO3). Fans may friend Beibut Shumenov on his Facebook Fan Page atwww.facebook.com/BeibutShumenov.

Beibut Shumenov returns Dec. 13 in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (Nov. 13, 2014) -- Former World Boxing Association (WBA) Light Heavyweight World title holder Beibut Shumenov (14-2, 9 KOs) returns to the ringDecember 13, kick-starting his new quest to become a two-division world champion, against cruiserweight Bobby Thomas Jr. (14-2, 9 KOs) in an eight-round bout on the Khan-Alexander card, presented by Golden Boy Promotions, at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Shumenov, who lives and trains in Las Vegas, last fought this past April 19 in Washington D.C., losing a 12-round split decision to then International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion Bernard Hopkins (54-6-2) in their unification fight. "I look forward to December 13th and pursuing a world cruiserweight title with Al Haymon in my corner," Shumenov said. The 31-year-old Shumenov captured the WBA light heavyweight title January 29, 2010 in only his tenth pro fight, establishing the fewest-fights record for the light heavyweight champion of a major organization, with a 12-round decision over Gabriel Campillo. The driven Kazakh successfully defended his WBA title belt five times, in order, against previously unbeaten mandatory challenger Vyacheslav Uzelkov(DEC12), former world champion William Joppy (KO6), multiple world title challengers Danny Santiago (TKO) and Enrique Ornelas (DEC12), and previously unbeaten Tamas Kovacs (TKO3). Shumenov (R) rocks Kovacs at the end of their 2013 fight (photo by Tom Casino / Showtime)  The muscular Shumenov, a 2004 Kazakhstan Olympian, realized after his last fight that making the 175-pound division limit took too much energy out of him and sapped his strength. Already rated No. 3 by the WBA, Shumenov will make his cruiserweight debut Dec. 13 against a fighter with the exact same record, West Virginia champion Thomas. "I'm happy to be fighting again and moving up to the cruiserweight division," Shumenov noted. "I don't have to struggle now to lose 50-plus pounds to make weight for my fights." After being self-trained for his last three fights, Shumenov is now working with highly- respected Cuban coach Ismael Salas, who has trained a litany of world champions such as Guillermo Rigondeaux, Yuriokis Gamboa, Danny Green, Jesse Vargasand Jorge Linares, among the more notables. "I've had a lot of changes after my last fight," Shumenov added. "I trained myself for the last three fights but now I have added a great trainer, Ismael Salas, to my team.  Fans may friend Beibut Shumenov on his Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/BeibutShumenov.

BROOKLYN'S SADAM ALI RETURNS HOME TO HONOR MILITARY VETERANS FOLLOWING CAREER-BEST PERFORMANCE

NEW YORK (Nov. 10, 2014) - Undefeated welterweight and newly crowned WBO Intercontinental Welterweight Champion Sadam "World Kid" Ali made a statement Saturday night with a remarkable ninth-round technical knockout victory over Argentine slugger Luis Carlos Abregu. Ali, a hot prospect in the welterweight division, may have broken into the boxing mainstream Saturday night with his dominating performance as the co-featured event on the "Bernard Hopkins vs. Sergey Kovalev" undercard. It was his first fight on HBO World Championship Boxing® and a major step up in competition for the fighter who upped his record to 21-0 with 13 knockouts. While Ali has much to be proud of as he enjoys his recent victory, he will take time to honor our nation's military veterans as he participates in the annual New York City Veteran's Day Parade also known as "America's Parade". As a native of Brooklyn and a 2008 U.S. Olympian, Ali is a great addition to the day's festivities. He will ride on a float as a guest of the Wounded Warrior Project amidst 1,000 soldiers and 600,000 spectators. "It's an honor to be able to pay homage to the great men and women who support our country," said Ali. "They fight for our freedom and are true champions. I'm thrilled to be included and I hope New Yorkers come to the parade and show their support."    "We can take for granted the veterans who risk their lives to protect the things that make this country so great and I'm happy to be able to give back," said Ali. Ali (21-0, 13 KOs) took a slow and steady approach to his professional career, but since signing with Golden Boy Promotions in 2013, Ali has been fighting in the fast lane and continues to impress including his major winon Saturday night. Other wins include recent bouts over Jay Krupp, Jesus Selig, Michael Clark and Jeremy Bryan, the dynamic Ali heads into 2015 with open options in one of the most divisions in boxing. For more information follow www.twitter.com/realworldkidali, www.twitter.com/goldenboyboxing, @theworldkidali and @goldenboyboxing on Instagram or go to www.goldenboypromotions.com.

BERNARD HOPKINS: A CHAMPION IN VICTORY AND IN DEFEAT

PHILADELPHIA (Nov. 10, 2014) - Not every victory in sports is awarded within the field of play. There are times when an athlete transcends what the scoreboard says and puts on a performance that can be revered no matter the result. For 49-year-old future boxing hall of famer Bernard "The Alien" Hopkins that phenomenon occurred on Saturday night in Atlantic City as the legendary fighter stood toe-to-toe for 12 rounds with Sergey "Krusher" Kovalev, one of the strongest and most avoided fighters in the sport today. "The fact that a 49-year-old willingly stepped into the ring with arguably boxing's hardest hitter speaks volumes about why he's a cinch for induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame," wrote Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports. In a time when fighters are often most concerned with keeping a blemish-free record at almost any cost, Hopkins went against the grain to challenge the best of the best. While Hopkins may have lost on the scorecards on Saturday night, he certainly won the challenge.  Although Hopkins feels "there is no substitute for victory," it's quite possible he gained more fans Saturday night as he withstood the punches from the 31-year-old Kovalev, than if he had emerged victorious. Hopkins used every bit of wit and grit in his arsenal to take the fight the distance and continued his career-long streak of never being stopped. "Hopkins in recent years admitted to fighting only for one reason: His legacy. He wanted to be included among the sport's eternal greats, and that fight has been won," wrote Jack McCaffery of the Delaware County Times. Courage is a virtue innate in almost all fighters once they step inside the ring. You must be courageous to willingly mix it up with a person set on victory at all costs. But the courage displayed outside the ring is often forgotten. In even accepting a fight against Kovalev, Hopkins showed more than courage. He demonstrated confidence in his abilities and utter respect for the sport of boxing as he is cut from the cloth of believing that champions should face champions.  Hopkins' rebranded himself as "The Alien" just over a year ago. In a sport that's used to it's fair share of unique characters it seemed to fall in line with something we all found familiar.  However, when you look deeper at everything Hopkins does, it is clear to see that this is no character or publicity stunt. "The last six years of Bernard Hopkins's career have seemed a bit like a magic act. He was a hypnotist in the ring - a snake charmer who chose younger, stronger opponents near the top of the 175-pound division and defanged them before our eyes. Hopkins exerted a comprehensive mastery over his victims, conquering them tactically, mentally, and physically," wrote Grantland's Rafe Bartholomew. Hopkins' supporters were vocal throughout Saturday night as chants of "B-Hop" and "U-S-A" filled the arena air at Boardwalk Hall. That is because these lucky fans, blessed with the opportunity to see greatness in person, knew that they were watching something to savor. They were watching something that needed to be applauded. "Hopkins has been back as a beacon of hope for wayward young men like he'd been, living proof that all things are possible with discipline, focus and belief in yourself," wrote the Boston Herald's Ron Borges. "On Saturday, he still possessed those traits, but it was not his night. Sergey Kovalev was the better fighter. But as Hopkins showed by the manner in which he handled a bitterly one-sided defeat, he was not a bitter man." Bernard Hopkins cannot be analyzed by looking at his win-loss record. You won't figure out much from looking at his number of knockouts or at his Compubox stats. Hopkins demands you look at him through a different lens. A pound-for-pound list does not give proper due to all the things that Hopkins has done for boxing. No words can be written that properly live up to all that he has accomplished and all that he means to so many people. "What Hopkins has accomplished in the sport, in a career with two distinct and separate eras, truly sets him apart from all other fighters in the generations he's passed through. It sets him apart from anyone else in professional sports, team or individual," wrote Bleacher Report's Kevin McCrae. We are all watching a man with the alien combination of skills and heart that make him a champion inside and outside of the ring.

BERNARD HOPKINS & SERGEY KOVALEV FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

BERNARD HOPKINS, IBF & WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion

"When I hear or read or get asked a question like,  'you didn't have to take this fight, you could have taken a different fight,' I think, have you paid attention to my career?

"This isn't about being an athlete, a boxer or whatever it is. This is something separate. Me as a man, I've been there since 1965. I have been special ever since.

"When you're dealing with the spirit, that I carry with me, from my personal life to here. All of that comes together in the ring. An opponent, he can be fast, slick or a puncher, you have to face all of these intangibles that I bring to the ring.

"I don't mind putting my wits up against anyone's wits today. I'm so calm and relaxed. I still have that hunger to prove myself.

"Psychological warfare, you will never win against me. Everyone on this side [points to Kovalev's side of dais] knows you're never going to win. I don't care who's sitting over there.

"When I step into that ring I'm at war with everybody.

"I have no secrets. I'm one of the cleanest athletes that has ever been in any sport. Remind yourself every now and then who you're dealing with. Then you can say, 'I asked him that 15 years ago.'

"It doesn't disappoint me when I hear people say 'He didn't have to take this fight.' What do you think? I'm a charity case? I've been wise to figure this out.

"Sergey wants to do what every fighter and athlete wants to do, put the best against the best. They want to fight the best. I'm not going to be in this game fighting nobodies.

"I know the ring like I know this building [Caesar's Atlantic City], but that's not because I've been here a bunch of times. It's because I pay attention to everyone and everything. I believe at looking people in the eye and learning everything I need to know about them.

"I'm still calm and relaxed now, but I still have the hunger to prove myself. Sergey says he wants a fair fight. [To Sergey] You're the Krusher, you make your own fair fight.

"John David Jackson says he knows everything there is to know about me. Sergey is the student. I'm not fighting John. But how can a teacher teach with credibility when the teacher has all F's? How can a teacher teach a student to have all A's when he has an F? I guarantee John did not show our fight to Sergey."

SERGEY KOVALEV, WBO Light Heavyweight World Champion

"All roads lead to this fight. This is a huge fight in my career and in my life.

"Bernard Hopkins is a legend. He is a professor of professional boxing. This fight is dangerous for me but this fight is also dangerous for him because of me.

"November 8^th on HBO in Atlantic City will be a great show and a really interesting fight. I hope that this fight will be very fair and honest.

"In the beginning of my career, I was ready to fight anywhere at anytime. No one knew me in America and I built my career from zero. I fought any place, any opponent.

"I only understand about 10 percent of what Hopkins says. He speaks in American English and slang. It's probably a good thing because it doesn't bother me.

"After he fights me, he can leave boxing and become a one man show in the theater or comedy. He is a great talker.

"It would be different if we fought in Russia and I could fully explain myself and what I want to say and he had what he was saying interpreted.

"The way someone explained to me what he said. He is saying interesting things.

"I understand that he is sure of himself 100 percent, and that is a good thing, but I am going to win on Saturday night."

SADAM ALI, Undefeated Welterweight Contender

"I am very excited to be on the undercard with Hopkins and Kovalev. Every time I'm on a card with Hopkins, he is making history and it motivates me.

"I want to thank all the promoters for getting back together because that is the most important thing.

"I am ready to put on a show. Everyone has the chance to put on a show. I have been boxing for 18 years and this is my time."

LUIS CARLOS ABREGU, Welterweight Contender

"I want to thank Sadam Ali and his team. They are good people. This is a sport. In the fight we are going to come to work and it will be a fight. After that we will go back to being friends again. 

"You all know my style. I'm here to give the fans a great fight. Let's put it all together and may the best man win.

"Now there isn't much more to say. Lets leave it for Saturday night."

NAAZIM RICHARDSON, Hopkins' Trainer

"There's not too much we can say about Bernard Hopkins that hasn't already been said.

"This fight will put 'The Alien' in the Hall of Fame. 'The Executioner' is already in there.  He is not only he oldest boxing champion he is the oldest champion in any sport. We can't even reduce him to boxing any more, he's no longer just ours. 

"I've seen this man face punchers before. I've seen him face everything except for 'fan man.'

"Come out and see one of the greatest athletes of all time. 'The Executioner', 'The Alien', 'B-Hop' or whatever your favorite segment was in his career.

"I don't want anyone to declaw or defang Kovalev. I don't want to hear it was this or that, or that the mind game of Bernard was too much for him. You all watch this kid. There's no excuse for this man not to come out and do what he's been doing."

JOHN DAVID JACKSON, Kovalev's Trainer

"Boxing needs fights like this. I respect Bernard and what he has accomplished in his career and I respect this young man Kovalev for what he has accomplished in his young career. He is going to go on to bigger and better things.

"It's fights like these that keep boxing alive, with the veteran warrior and a young warrior willing to fight each other.

"The talking is done, the fight plan is together and every stone has been turned."

EGIS KLIMAS, Kovalev's Manager

"I want to thank Sergey for being a good person. It's fights like these that keep boxing alive. He wants to take the old man's title.

"It is a fight that people need to see in boxing. They could have chosen other fights. This is what boxing needs. I am respecting this man for what he's accomplished."

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, President & Founder of Golden Boy Promotions

"This is the premiere event for the year in boxing. The beauty about this is that it could easily have been on pay-per-view, but its not it's live on HBO.

"It's the biggest fight of the year and all of the parties involved stepped up to the plate and it is going to be a highly anticipated event.

"Bernard is a future Hall of Famer who is shattering records left and right. Talk about perseverance, never giving up and fighting for what's right.

"You can go on and on about what a perfect example of an athlete he is. He eats, sleeps, and breathes boxing. Bernard Hopkins is in a class of his own.  We are never going to see another Hopkins in our lifetime, that's how special he is and I'm not just saying that because he knocked me out. 

"There is something about Hopkins psychological game plan. It puts you in a trance. It caught me by surprise. That is what Hopkins is. We know he is physically strong, fast and agile, but here there is nobody like him.

"Having the privilege to step into the ring with Bernard Hopkins is an experience that is impossible to prepare for. How are you going to deal with his brain power, mind and his plan A, B, C?"

KATHY DUVA, CEO of Main Events

"Sergey will enter the ring with one belt and wants to leave with three. He has an electrifying presence in the ring and I have no doubt he is going to give us a show.

"These are two great fighters. Bernard is a great fighter. There is no other way to describe him. I know what this legacy means to him. Taking this fight at this point in his life proves that. 

"We have put together a card from top to bottom that should be entertaining. We wanted to make sure we stacked the card from top to bottom.

"Atlantic City is not out.   This is a perfect example of If you bring the best fights to Atlantic City the people are going to be interested  It's been a little bit of a dry spell for us in Atlantic City.  Maybe it's an omen but Larry Hazzard was reappointed commissioner and we go this great championship fight right here on our doorstep.

"I want to thank the fighters. When you can get guys to fight that are taking chances and making fights happen that fans want to see, that is the best scenario possible for the sport.

"Bernard has been a fighter in Atlantic City for a long time, a lot longer than he probably wants to remember. I commend him for taking this fight and bringing it to Atlantic City."

CARL MORETTI, Vice President of Boxing Operations for Top Rank

"You don't want to say the opening fight is going to steal the show. This kind of fight is experience versus youth.

"In the welterweight division any fight you can make is a good fight because it always leads to something great. We look forward to making fights like this. 

"Luis Carlos Abregu is probably the best puncher in the welterweight division. 

LARRY HAZZARD, Commissioner of the New Jersey State Athletic Commission

"There's not much I need to say. This is quite a homecoming for me. When I left in 2007 it was not a good year for me. When I left Hopkins was headlining a big event in AC. At that time you were 'The Executioner' and now you're 'The Alien.'

"It is wonderful that this is taking place in Atlantic City. This is probably the most anticipated boxing event for the entire year. It is a fight that really didn't have to take place. These two guys could have danced around each other for another year ago, but because they consider themselves the best and in boxing the best should be fighting the best."

# # #

"Alien vs. Krusher: Hopkins vs. Kovalev" is a 12-round unification bout for the IBF, WBA and WBO Light Heavyweight World titles, presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Main Events in association with Caesars Atlantic City, Corona Extra, AT&T, Hortitsia Vodka and Mexico, Live it To Believe It!. Ali vs. Abregu is a 10-round welterweight bout for the WBO Intercontinental title and is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank.

The HBO World Championship Boxing telecast begins at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT.  

24/7 HOPKINS/KOVALEV, the 30-minute special narrated by Liev Schreiber and produced by HBO's Emmy-Award-winning "24/7" production team replays Friday, Nov. 7 at 8:00 p.m. on HBO2 andSaturday, Nov. 8 at 11:00 a.m. on HBO.  All times are ET/PT.

Tickets priced at $300, $200, $150, $100 and $50, plus applicable fees and service charges, are on sale now and available for purchase at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.mainevents.com, www.hbo.com/boxing or http://www.boardwalkhall.com/.

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