DAILY CHALLENGE WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2011
DAILY CHALLENGE
21
SPORTS
Foreman likes Hopkins’s chance at boxing age mark MONTREAL Bernard Hopkins will try to eclipse George Foreman as the oldest fighter to win a major world title bout when he faces Jean Pascal next week for the World Boxing Council light heavyweight crown. Hopkins will be 126 days beyond his 46th birthday when he meets Canada’s Pascal on May 21 at Montreal’s Bell Centre in a rematch of a controversial draw last December that allowed Pascal to keep his title. Hopkins will try to bump heavyweight legend Foreman from a unique place in boxing history as the oldest recognized elite-level ring king in any division. “This is a bittersweet opportunity for me because of George’s legacy,” said Hopkins. “But it’s in good hands, George.” Foreman, now 62, says Hopkins will need a knockout of Pascal to
Bernard Hopkins (R) lands a right on Jean Pascal during the WBC Light Heavyweight World Championship in Quebec City. win it but a triumph ing robbed of a victory would give the sport a by judges last much-needed boost. December. “If Bernard is able to “Things can happen. win this thing and do it I’m aware of that,” decisively, it’s going to Hopkins said. “I’d love help boxing. This is a to get a knockout of chance to restore box- Pascal. But I will take a ing and I’m pulling for good beatdown. him,” Foreman said. “I just want to make “I think he can pull it wrong right. I get a off, no doubt about it. chance to make their It’s a great opportunity wrong become my to lift my name up, just right. I can’t worry for a second, before it about the last fight. gets erased. He has got That’s in the past. (the chance), but he’s “Going in to knock going to have to get it somebody out can put a by way of knockout.” lot of pressure on someHopkins disagrees body. If I can win every but is mindfall of feel- round, beat this guy up
and make it seem one sided (and did not win), there would be an uproar.” At age 45, Foreman knocked out fellow American Michael Moorer 2:03 into the 10th round to claim the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association heavyweight crowns on November 5, 1994. Foreman was stripped of the WBA title in 1995 for refusing to fight a mandatory challenger. Foreman defended the IBF crown in 1995, 102 days beyond his 46th birthday, by taking a split decision over Axel Schulz, but forfeited that title rather than fight a rematch with the German. When Hopkins climbs into the ring against Pascal next week, he will be 192 days older than Foreman was when he knocked out Moorer and 24 days older than Foreman was when he defended the crown against Schulz. “George Foreman is a
Albert Haynesworth pleads not guilty WASHINGTON — Washington Redskins defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth did not grope a waitress at a hotel bar and intends to fight the accusations, his lawyer said Tuesday in entering a not guilty plea to a misdemeanor charge of sexual abuse. Haynesworth, who was not present at his arraignment in D.C. Superior Court, is accused of sliding his credit card into the
bra of a waitress and touching her breast during a birthday party at a Washington hotel in February. His lawyer said after the arraignment that the accusation was false and that Haynesworth would defend himself at a trial set for July 11. “The government’s version of what happened at the W Hotel a few months back is very different from our version — and we’ve got witnesses,” said defense lawyer A. Scott Bolden, who said his client was currently out of town. “The one thing I
can tell you is my client didn’t do what he’s accused of doing.” Bolden said he believed the accusation was trumped up because of Haynesworth’s celebrity status and wealth. Prosecutors last month offered a plea deal in which the sexual abuse charge would be dropped in exchange for Haynesworth pleading guilty to simple assault. But Bolden rejected that offer in court Tuesday. Haynesworth, 29, has had a tumultuous recent run with the Redskins.
Klitschko wants 50th career knockout against Haye HAMBURG, Germany World heavyweight champion Vladimir Klitschko is confident he can unleash his 50th career knockout punch against WBA champion Briton David Haye in July. “I really want that 50th
knockout. It is like a golden number,” Klitschko, who holds the WBO, IBF and IBO belts, said on Monday. “I really respect him. He is a great boxer with an impressive record but I will be well prepared. David Haye is going to be my 50th knockout,” the Ukrainian added after refusing
to shake hands with Haye during the joint press conference. Klitschko and his brother Vitaly, who holds the WBC belt, twice had fights with Haye called off in the past two years after they failed to agree on the details for the much-awaited unification fight.
guy I grew up on. I’m going to represent history very well,” Hopkins said. “I will not sneeze at this. I will take this title and become the oldest champion, maybe in any sport.” Foreman called the Hopkins-Pascal draw decision “not a quality one” and warned that Pascal “is better equipped to win this fight on the point system” but still sees Hopkins breaking his mark. “I thought such a record would last a lot longer,” Foreman said. Foreman said Hopkins has to focus on fighting as he would in younger days rather than worry about a place in history or Father Time. “I never thought about the record. I thought about getting a knockout,” said Foreman. “When you attempt a feat of this sort, you can’t look in the mirror and see a guy who has aged. You’ve got to feel like you are 25, 30.”
Asked if there was a modern heavyweight he would have enjoyed fighting, Foreman named Ukranian star Wladimir Klitschko. “I’d have loved to have had the chance to fight Klitschko, the young one,” Foreman said. “I’d have liked that opportunity.” Foreman lammented the lack of an iconic boxer like Muhammad Ali among the modern fighters, however, saying, “There hasn’t been anyone come in to set the sport on fire.” Foreman said that he hears nothing good about the title quest of Evander Holyfield, who is still chasing the heavyweight crown at age 48. “Everyone I meet and chat with says he should, quit, he should stop. They don’t think it can be done,” Foreman said. “But Hopkins is a whole ‘nother story. He’s bringing forth class and endurance.” Asked how he would know when to retire, Hopkins put it simply: “When you get beat up.”
LeBron James apologizes for comment BOSTON — LeBron James opened his postgame comments Monday by saying he’s sorry for using the word “retarded” in a previous news conference. “I want to apologize for using the ‘R’ word after Game 3,” James said after the Heat’s Game 4 overtime victory against the Boston Celtics. “If I offended anyone, I sincerely apologize.” The Miami Heat star muttered the word after Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals as he and Dwyane Wade listened to a question about Wade’s takedown of Boston guard Rajon Rondo.
James had his hand covering his mouth when he said, “That’s retarded,” as a reporter asked Wade whether the play that dislocated Rondo’s elbow was dirty. Earlier Monday, James was asked to clarify his use of the characterization, but declined. “I didn’t understand the question,” James said. “It is definitely blown out of proportion. I don’t think Dwyane is a dirty player. It’s the same as ... I don’t think that is a great question. I think that’s a stupid question. I don’t know why someone would even ask that question.”