With Bernard Hopkins confirming that he will make an IBF mandatory title defense against Karo Murat next, the 29-year-old German is elated that he'll be getting the big-time opportunity to make a huge career mark, and says he'll prepare the way Hopkins does, and "hurt" the 48-year-old champion:
"Hopkins proved that he doesn't belong to the old guard," said Murat, who will be fighting in America for the first time. "I will do everything I can to be in the best shape possible. I am really looking forward to it. Fighting in the States will be a very special occasion in my career.
"I will hurt Hopkins. I have the same attitude as he does. I don't just train hard, but I train the right way. He is going to feel that."
Murat (25-1-1, 15 KO) has an obviously massive chance to become something of a star here, as a win over Hopkins would make him main event material back home in Germany, and open him up big-time to the U.S. market, too. His only career loss came to Nathan Cleverly in 2010, and while he's a solid fighter, he will and should be a major underdog against Hopkins.
Does Murat have a chance against "The Executioner," or will he be taken to the old school?