Former Australian heavyweight champion John Hopoate (11-2, 11 KOs) will clash with former WBC heavyweight champion Oliver McCall (51-9, 36 KOs) at the Orleans Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada on May 22nd. Hopoate, who scored a fourth round stoppage over American heavyweight Cliff Couser in March, also holds second round stoppage win over over former heavyweight contender Monte Barrett in 2007. He captured the national heavyweight crown in 2008 by stopping Bob Mirovic in nine rounds. Hopoate is 6 foot and weighs 240 pounds and was born in Tonga. McCall is 6 foot 2 inches and weighed 235 pounds for his last fight in 2007 when he dropped a decision to Juan Carlos Gomez but that same year he defeated highly regarded Sinan Samil Sam. Hopoate said. “I have been sparring with WBA#1 heavyweight Kali Meehan and Solomon Haumona. Oliver is now 44 years of age and why he may be past his prime anybody who used to be Mike Tyson’s sparring partner can obviously cop a punch. He has got ringcraft and experience but I am confident I can win this fight.” Hopoate’s trainer Dave Millward added “Hoppa is only a small fish in a big pond and if he wins he will have plenty of options presented to him.”
Superstar Manny Pacquiao is heading home for a hero’s welcome in the Philippines. He, wife Jinky, and Team Pacquiao will depart from Los Angeles on Wednesday. Pacquiao will return to the USA in June, first at the Boxing Writer Association of America awards dinner in New York City on Friday, June 12. Pacquiao will receive the 2008 ‘Fighter of the Year’ award and chief trainer Freddie Roach will be honored as the ‘Trainer of the Year.’ The next night Pacquiao will be at ringside to watch the Miguel Cotto vs. Joshua Clottey world welterweight title fight at Madison Square Garden
IBO light welterweight titleholder Ricky Hatton spoke to reporters today about his May 2 clash with Manny Pacquiao. “I strongly believe I will be as fast as Manny,” said the Hitman. “If I’m not as fast as Manny, I’ll only the narrowest of margins behind me. He’s going to get a shock.” Hatton wasn’t particularly impressed with Pacquiao’s KO win over Oscar De La Hoya. “I can’t think it was too hard to outbox Oscar that night and too hard to beat him…I would like to think I would have done the same.”
Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko have announced that they feel WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev (holder of the only major heavyweight belt not held by a Klitschko) is avoiding them. “Around the world fans and experts want to see this fight,” WBC heavyweight Vitali Klitschko said today a news conference in Moscow. “But these promoters are doing everything to make sure that this fight doesn’t go ahead.” IBF/WBO/IBO champ Wladimir added “The most important thing is to bring the [Valuev's WBA] belt to the family.” The chance of a Klitschko-Valuev match coming anytime soon is remote, however. Valuev is committed to facing Ruslan Chagaev next (should Chagaev get past Carl Davis Drumond on February 7th). Vitali is committed to facing Juan Carlos Gomez and then Oleg Maskaev. Wladimir has an optional defense coming with David Haye and Chris Arreola having been mentioned as possible opponents.
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