johnmichael-bricHopoate Shows Courage in Defeating Mirovic
September 12th 2008 05:43
Former NRL bad boy John Hopoate has claimed his first major boxing title on Tuesday night defeatig Aussie Bob Mirovic for the Austrailan Heavywieght crown.
Going into the fight claiming he would send Mirovic into "early retirement", and being doubted by many, Hopoate displayed enormous courage by TKO'ing his opponent in the 9th round.
Mirovic's trainer Jeff Fenech tossed in the towel in the ninth round as Hopoate unloaded a series of damaging haymakers to the 44-year-old champion's head.
With many saying the former league player was out of his league, he proved them wrong winning with a broken right hand and a busted left shoulder he obtained in the 6th round.
Meanwhile Mirovic suffered a broken right arm as the two big men traded thunderous blows.
Boxing enthusiasts were today hailing their brutal battle on the Gold Coast last night as one of the greatest heavyweight fights in years.
Mirovic's tranie-manger Dave Millward said Hopoate had silenced a lot of critics in going past four rounds. Mirovic's camp has already contacted promoter Jamie Myer seeking a re-match once both fighters have recuperated.
Myer revealed former heavyweight champion Dean Waters, who was ringside last night, was keen to come out of retirement to fight Hopoate but indicated an American opponent was now a much more attractive option for the former Manly destroyer.
"I think we'd have to look at the American market now because I know his explosiveness would appeal greatly," said Millward. "The power and prowess of Hoppa at the moment is what Americans want to see."
Millward was already making arrangements to send videos of last night's fight to a number of American promoters.
"If they see that fight last night, that's what they want to see, two big men going hell for leather," said Millward.
Millward said Hopoate could fight in the US or an American could be brought out to Australia because he was the national champion.
Meanwhile, Millward praised former multiple world champion Fenech for sparing his fighter. "It was great corner work by Jeff to throw in the towel. You have to respect a corner who can do that for their fighter," he said.
"Bob is a journeyman and he may not have thought he was going that bad. But Jeff took it upon himself to throw in the towel and stop the fight, which was a ballsy effort to look after his fighter. He could see Hoppa's young power was knocking Bob around badly."
Hopoate will take three months off to get over his hand injury before getting back in the ring.
Going into the fight claiming he would send Mirovic into "early retirement", and being doubted by many, Hopoate displayed enormous courage by TKO'ing his opponent in the 9th round.
Mirovic's trainer Jeff Fenech tossed in the towel in the ninth round as Hopoate unloaded a series of damaging haymakers to the 44-year-old champion's head.
With many saying the former league player was out of his league, he proved them wrong winning with a broken right hand and a busted left shoulder he obtained in the 6th round.
Meanwhile Mirovic suffered a broken right arm as the two big men traded thunderous blows.
Boxing enthusiasts were today hailing their brutal battle on the Gold Coast last night as one of the greatest heavyweight fights in years.
Mirovic's tranie-manger Dave Millward said Hopoate had silenced a lot of critics in going past four rounds. Mirovic's camp has already contacted promoter Jamie Myer seeking a re-match once both fighters have recuperated.
Myer revealed former heavyweight champion Dean Waters, who was ringside last night, was keen to come out of retirement to fight Hopoate but indicated an American opponent was now a much more attractive option for the former Manly destroyer.
"I think we'd have to look at the American market now because I know his explosiveness would appeal greatly," said Millward. "The power and prowess of Hoppa at the moment is what Americans want to see."
Millward was already making arrangements to send videos of last night's fight to a number of American promoters.
"If they see that fight last night, that's what they want to see, two big men going hell for leather," said Millward.
Millward said Hopoate could fight in the US or an American could be brought out to Australia because he was the national champion.
Meanwhile, Millward praised former multiple world champion Fenech for sparing his fighter. "It was great corner work by Jeff to throw in the towel. You have to respect a corner who can do that for their fighter," he said.
"Bob is a journeyman and he may not have thought he was going that bad. But Jeff took it upon himself to throw in the towel and stop the fight, which was a ballsy effort to look after his fighter. He could see Hoppa's young power was knocking Bob around badly."
Hopoate will take three months off to get over his hand injury before getting back in the ring.
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