by Sergio L. Martinez

The Golden Boy promotional machine is making its way to the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California, which will host a stout card of up-and-coming boxers from the Golden Boy universe. Bernard Hopkins will meet boxing fans Friday, March 20 at Fantasy Springs Casino from 7pm – 8 pm.

For the main event, super welterweight Yoshihiro Kamegai is slated to face Mexican veteran Alfonso Gomez in a 10-round bout. A portion of the spectacle will be televised on the Fox Sports 1 network.

Amongst the many in attendance will be boxing legend Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins. It is always beneficial to have a bonafide boxing great, not only involved at a promotional level, but with the goal of giving back to the fans that have supported boxing and kept it viable year after year.

Speaking to Boxing Insider, Hopkins said, “Fans should expect a great night of boxing as these guys are fighting for a spot on big fights and recognition to headline some big events, so everyone is coming to fight. Fantasy Springs has always supported us and we always provide some great quality fights.

“I can’t wait to meet the fans, shake hands and really connect with everyone,” Hopkins added. “I love boxing and am excited to be there.”

Hopkins has been around for a long time and has seen the boxing landscape shift in many aspects. Throughout his career, the cagey veteran has adapted and reinvented himself to the times with amazing results. After having traversed the professional pugilistic waters since 1988, Hopkins is in tune with the status of the sport and what the futures holds. “The state of boxing right now is in great shape as fights like [Floyd] Mayweather versus [Manny] Pacquiao have been made and fights like [Sergey] Kovalev and [Jean] Pascal just happened,” he said.

A Golden Boy business partner for the past 10 years, Hopkins continued, “More big fights are going to be made by Golden Boy and other promoters, I’m sure. The competition for the audience and the television shows is great for the sport and the fans, so I’m all for it. It’s an exciting time for boxing.”

With the return of boxing to cable network airways, many may think with a rival promotional outfit responsible for that venture, Golden Boy Promotions would dismiss this development, as the sport’s history is riddled with power brokers focused more on their own financial success rather than the success of the sport. This is just not the case, Hopkins explained.

“If it were up to me, I’d have live boxing shows [on television] six times a week. Competition is good for everyone involved in the sport and it’s important so the fans can get to know fighters early on and follow them throughout their careers,” Hopkins said.

“The Alien” added, “[Golden Boy] believes that the more boxing people get involved the better it is for the sport as a whole. [Golden Boy] will continue to put on quality shows for everyone and we’re here to make sure the sport benefits and the fans get the best fights that can be made in each weight class.”

Regarding the Mayweather v. Pacquiao showdown, Hopkins gave this assessment: “The first six rounds you’re going to get your money’s worth. Manny Pacquiao has had more early round knockouts in the past five years than Mayweather has had in the past 10 years. I see Mayweather being stalked early, getting angles from the southpaw and being knocked down one or two times.

“[Floyd Mayweather Jr.] will have to dig deep and go to the well on this one, but I believe because of his boxing I.Q. and skills, he will pull out a close split or maybe controversial decision.”

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