Broner vs. Granados, Roy Jones Jr. vs. Gunn, What the Hopkins is Going On?
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
As the professional boxing year of 2016 draws to a close, Bernard ‘The Executioner’ Hopkins, age 51, will fight for final time for the World Boxing Council International Light Heavyweight title held by Joe Smith Jr. on December 17, 2016, at The Forum in Inglewood, California. While Hopkins could be is the modern day equivalent of Archie Moore and Jack Johnson by longevity, some of the upcoming matchups range from weird to strange.
In the battle of boxing’s same names with different spellings, Adrien ‘The Problem’ Broner, who never wants to shut up or stay out of trouble, will face the mean challenge of Adrian ‘Tigre’ Granados in a super lightweight battle which could determine the next opponent for new IBF World Super Lightweight champion Julius Indongo. Judging by the way Granados finished off 18-0 Amir Imam last year, Broner will be in the fight of his life, and he better be ready for a 12 round technical trip to hell with Granados if he expects to win. The bout is scheduled for February 11, 2017, at as yet undetermined location. Bobby ‘The Celtic Warrior’ Gunn, age 43, who has not fought in three years (save for fighting bare knuckles) will fight for the vacant World Boxing Federation World Light Heavyweight title against 47 year old Roy Jones Jr., the ageless boxing commentator and former world champion (who it seems cannot stay away from the ring too long) at the Chase Center in Wilmington, Delaware, on February 17, 2017.
Meanwhile, in a potluck bout, Galen Brown, a 35 loss fighter from Missouri, will be the latest tune up for China’s 12-0 heavyweight prospect Zhilei ‘ Big Bang’ Zhang, now fighting out of Las Vegas, on December 10, 2016, at the Marina Bay SportsPlex in Quincy, Massachusetts. Forever Philadelphia lightweight contender Henry ‘Hammering Hank’ Lundy will fight for the UBF World Lightweight title in the main event at the B.O.O.M. Fitness Center in Cincinnati, Ohio against California’s unknown John ‘Bang Bang’ Delperdang on December 16, 2016. On December 17, 2016, cruiserweight Phil Williams will take on the challenge of undefeated Liberian Mangustu Zarzar at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Another interesting bout will be at Sun National Bank Center in Trenton, New Jersey, on January 21, 2016. Former world welterweight champion Zab ‘Super’ Judah, 39, will fight the 10 round main event. Judah was charged with misdemeanor battery and domestic violence on his wife this past October. Judah told police he had an argument with his wife after she destroyed all of his clothes when another woman claimed she had a baby with him. Judah’s wife told police Judah was drunk. No injuries were reported.
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