Hopkins, 49, is aiming to add Kovalev’s WBO light-heavyweight title to his WBA and IBF versions, even as he approaches his 50th birthday, and is planning on yet another jaw-dropping performance against the hard-hitting Russian.
“I bloomed late. I didn’t bloom by the timing of the experts. I want to make it as difficult as possible for you to come up with a headline for me. I don’t want to be on the pound-for-pound list because that would make me human,” said Hopkins.
“What I’m doing now is making a new legacy and a new list and a new way to judge. ‘Where do we put this man? We can’t put him in the top 10. He’s doing things no one has done!’
“It’s such a testimony to see a 50-year-old man go 30 plus minutes with a young strong Russian puncher and not get a scratch on him.
“I understand humans have a timeline of when they are supposed to go. Age 35 and you’re done – I don’t care what sport you’re in. It’s a fact. I don’t know what type of evidence I need to show I’m an alien other than what is there.”
The eagerly-anticipated bout takes place at the world famous Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey and sees Luis Carlos Abregu co-feature in a ten-round welterweight clash against the unbeaten Sadam Ali.
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