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Hopkins vs Shumenov: Richard Schaefer excited for world title triple-header

Richard Schaefer discusses the April 19 fight card he has set for Showtime, featuring Hopkins-Shumenov, Porter-Malignaggi, and Quillin-Konecny.

Amanda Kwok/SHOWTIME
Scott Christ is the managing editor of Bad Left Hook and has been covering boxing for SB Nation since 2006.

Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer has another one of his Stacked Cards lined up for April 19 on Showtime, as there will be three world titles on the line at the DC Armory, headlined by 49-year-old Bernard Hopkins in yet another main event, as he looks to continue making history in his final year before being eligible for AARP membership.

Schaefer sees this as a big event with intriguing fights. Also, Schaefer is the promoter. But still, here are his comments.

Hopkins (54-6-2, 32 KO) will look to unify the IBF light heavyweight title with the WBA belt held by Beibut Shumenov (14-1, 9 KO) in the main event:

"You get the history of Bernard Hopkins as you're witnessing one of the all-time greats of any generation. Then, you see Beibut Shumenov, who is a big puncher and a world champion who wants to make a name for himself, and he knows that beating Hopkins will be huge, huge statement, and a huge, huge step for his career."

Just announced yesterday, Shawn Porter (23-0-1, 14 KO) will defend his IBF welterweight title against Paulie Malignaggi (33-5, 7 KO), with the winner agreeing to face IBF mandatory Kell Brook within 90 days:

"For Paulie, this just speaks to who he is to have put himself into position to fight for a world title again in the hottest weight class. ... But he's going against a young superstar who is trying to make a name for himself. ... People know Paulie Malignaggi as a big name, and, for Shawn, a young fighter, to do his first title defense against a name like that, I know has really got Shawn Porter very excited."

Also on the card, Peter Quillin (30-0, 22 KO) will put his WBO middleweight title on the line against Lukas Konecny (50-4, 23 KO), a former junior middleweight contender who has fallen short in a pair of world title fights at 154 pounds against Sergiy Dzinziruk and Zaurbek Baysangurov:

"Without question, Peter Quillin is the most colorful middleweight world champion. Then, Lukas Konecny, who is a very accomplished guy and a European champion coming over trying to be a world champion."

Which of the three fights most excites you? Hopkins looking to keep his crazy run alive, the nice matchup of Porter-Malignaggi, or Quillin-Konecny, which is a credible fight if you're super kind?

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