Floyd Mayweather Next Fight 2014: Bernard Hopkins Challenges Mayweather; Will The Fight Happen?
In a split decision Saturday, Bernard Hopkins defeated Beibut Shumenov allowing him to hold on to his International Boxing Federation belt while also earning the World Boxing Association title.
Hopkins' victory over Shumenov, who is 19 years younger, made him the oldest boxer to unify major titles as he also broke his own record of being the oldest boxer to win a major title, according to USA Today.
At 49 years old, Hopkins wants to box in two premiere bouts before turning 51 years old on Jan. 15, 2016. He said he would like to face off against the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. (45-0) once he gets to 49 wins, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Before that showdown, however, Hopkins wants to become the undisputed light-heavyweight champion by taking down Adonis Stevenson, who currently holds the World Boxing Council title. Next month, Stevenson will defend his title by taking on Adrzej Fonfara.
Hopkins said he wants 37-year-old Mayweather to have tied Rocky Marciano's record of 49-0 before the two enter the ring together. The idea is that while Mayweather chases his 50th victory, surpassing Marciano, Hopkins will be on the brink of turning 51.
He said it should be called the "50-50" showdown.
"After I become the undisputed light-heavyweight champion of the world, if there was one big fight out there, I know what I would call it - 50-50," Hopkins said, The Los Angeles Times reported. "He wants to pass Marciano. He wants to get to 50 and I [will be] 50. That would be huge."
If the "50-50" boxing match occurs, Hopkins would need to drop down to the middleweight division, which he said he would be happy to do, and Mayweather would need to bulk up from welterweight, according to the Times.
"I would love to do that," he said. "But let me get past Stevenson first."