Light-heavyweight contender Karo Murat 25-1-1, 15 KO’s is going to get the fight of his dreams when he challenges the legendary Bernard Hopkins for the IBF title this summer. Murat who is mandatory challenger is now waiting on the fine details to be finalized before the proposed summer showdown scheduled for July 27 goes ahead.
“I was so excited when I first found out about this,” Murat told DAILY SPORT boxing. “We have been testing my punching power on Thursday and the good news gave me some extra motivation, which showed in the results afterwards.” However, Murat is aware that his next test will be much more difficult. His opponent from Philadelphia wrote boxing history on March 9 when he became the oldest ever world champion at the age of 48 by beating then-titlist Tavoris Cloud. “Hopkins proved that he doesn’t belong to the old guard. I will do everything I can to be in the best shape possible.”
One fighter not so overjoyed by the news will be Welsh WBO light-heavyweight champ Nathan Cleverly who issued Murat with his only defeat in 2010 and has had his heart set on a summer showdown with Hopkins.