Boxing veteran looks to write another chapter in his enduring legacy.
Bernard Hopkins, the oldest boxer to win a major world title, will defend his International Boxing Federation light-heavyweight belt against German Karo Murat on July 13 in Brooklyn.
Hopkins broke his own world record by nearly two years in March when he won a unanimous decision over Tavoris Cloud at the age of 48 to take the title.
He confirmed in April that he would take on mandatory challenger Murat in his next fight and Golden Boy Promotions said Sunday that the bout would be at Barclays Center in the New York borough of Brooklyn.
Murat, a 29-year-old of Armenian heritage, is 25-1-1 with 15 knockouts. He suffered his only loss in 2010 to undefeated Welshman Nathan Cleverly and won his most recent bout last June by stopping Czech Sandro Siproshvili.
Hopkins, 53-6 with two drawn and 32 knockouts, had to face Murat or forfeit the title under terms of a deal that allowed him to step in front of Murat to challenge Cloud.
“Murat has nothing to lose and everything to gain by fighting me,” Hopkins said. “He knows he is fighting a 48-year-old, but he has to understand that there aren’t any other 48-year-olds like me.”
Murat said he was looking forward to sending Hopkins into retirement.
“His biggest strength is his experience, but I will reveal his weaknesses at Barclays Center in front of his own fans,” the challenger vowed. “I will be in the best shape of my life and will snatch his belt from under his nose.”
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