The Brilliance Of Bernard Hopkins  After he had completed his 12 round whitewash of Kelly Pavlik, Bernard Hopkins stared out into press row and gave us guys behind the laptops his best Graterford State Penitentiary glare. For a good minute or so, he stood frozen, his eyes never even blinking once. He didn’t need to really say anything – we all got the message, loud and clear. This was jailhouse communication from the man who served five years in that joint for strong-armed robbery beginning as a 17-year old in 1984. He had proved us wrong once again. In giving yet another career-defining performance at age 43 – versus a fighter who was 17 years his junior – he proved he was/is a prizefighter that could’ve competed in any era of boxing… Steve Kim, maxboxing.com

Calzaghe Speaks Out On Pavlik Vs Hopkins  Cardiff, Wales (October 20, 2008)—As he continues to prepare for his November 8 “Battle of the Superpowers” against Roy Jones, Jr at Madison Square Garden in New York City and live on HBO Pay-Per-View, undefeated light heavyweight champion Joe Calzaghe took a quick break from training to share his thoughts on Saturday night’s tremendous victory for Bernard Hopkins over Kelly Pavlik.  Here is what he had to say:

“I said all along Kelly Pavlik was overrated, overhyped and hadn’t done anything in his career to a warrant a fight with me…

“I said all along Kelly Pavlik was overrated, overhyped and hadn’t done anything in his career to a warrant a fight with me.  This was evident Saturday night when Hopkins destroyed and exposed him for what he is.  That is why I wasn’t going to waste my time fighting him and went straight to a bout with Roy Jones who has proved himself time and time again that he is one of the greatest fighters in our era. I have been a champion for 11 years and I am only interested in fighting legends.”  •  “They told me that the place was packed with Pavlik fans who either sat stunned or actually started cheering for Hopkins.  My fans will have a great night at Madison Square Garden in New York as I will give them no reason to cheer for Roy Jones.  I am sure it was a long trip back for all those people from Ohio.  I tell my fans, don’t worry, we will be partying on the plane ride home.”  •  “Look at the landscape-I have beat everyman I have ever faced including younger fighters, stronger fighters and of course Bernard Hopkins.  After fighting Hopkins, my biggest wish was to fight Roy Jones Jr. who also has a win over Hopkins.  Hopkins showed Saturday night he is an amazing fighter but Roy and I both beat him.  That says more than enough and come November 8, Roy and I have a chance to settle the score with the winner taking all the glory.”  •  “My boxing career and record speaks for itself.  November 8 will be the biggest fight of my career as I am fighting one of the best, at the best place to fight, Madison Square Garden. Believe me, it can’t get here fast enough.” —Source: Swanson Communications

Pre-Fight preview with some of boxing’s top journalist and personalities including Iran “The Blade” Barkley (Former Middleweight Champion Of The World). 

Pre-Fight predictions and preview with some of boxing’s top journalist and personalities including Bert Sugar (ESPN) and Tim Smith (NY Daily News).

History Says Pavlik, Father Time Will Finally Catch Up To Hopkins  The old champion had ruled the middleweight division for a decade. • Although there had been pretenders to the 160-pound title over the course of his reign, he had solidified his claim by eventually beating them all. His Hall of Fame credentials had been well established by the time, in his 40th year, he narrowly lost back-to-back fights to a younger successor, one he might well have beaten in his prime. But Father Time had proven to be the great equalizer… —George Kimball, sports.espn.go.com

Pavlik-Hopkins Fight Slated For Oct. 18, Promoter Says  Unable to secure a meaningful opponent to wage a middleweight championship defense against in the fall, Kelly Pavlik will move up in weight and face former light heavyweight champion and middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told ESPN.com Thursday.  •  Arum said he and Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer struck a deal Thursday for the nontitle fight, which will take place Oct. 18 on HBO PPV at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J…. —Dan Rafael, ESPN.com

>> Check out the ‘Fight Party!’ pics from Hopkins vs Calzaghe, Planet Hollywood, LV (4/19/08.) Enjoy!

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Entourage Economics As welterweight boxing champion Floyd Mayweather showered fans with fistfuls of $100 bills two weeks ago at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, seven men, some in sunglasses, shadowed his every move. But this wasn’t the stereotypical athlete posse, best known for freeloading and waking up at noon. • Mr. Mayweather’s right-hand man, Leonard Ellerbe, is chief executive of a $140 million company, Mayweather Promotions, and starts his days at 5:15 a.m. Underperforming security guards, personal assistants and coordinators can be fired for offenses like ogling women or falling out of shape. “It’s no different than working for Xerox,” Mr. Ellerbe says. —HANNAH KARP, online.wsj.com 

Hopkins: I’m A Legend Bernard Hopkins believes he will deserve a special place in the annals of sporting history for his achievements in the ring. • The 43-year-old dominated the middleweight division before his back-to-back defeats to Jermain Taylor – only for Hopkins to bounce back and destroy Antonio Tarver in the light-heavyweight division. —Source: www.skysports.com

Joe Calzaghe Ready For Las Vegas Bout With Hopkins LAS VEGAS- Joe Calzaghe said he would show America what he was made of when he makes his Las Vegas debut on Saturday against light-heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins. • “It’s the icing on the cake,” the 36-year-old undisputed world super-middleweight champion told reporters… — Kieran Mulvaney (www.reuters.com)

(Ellerbe: Photos by John Locher; Hopkins/Calzaghe: Tom Hogan/Golden Boy Promotions.)

MOSLEY VS JUDAH