Three weeks after Bernard "The Alien" Hopkins and Sergey "Krusher" Kovalev announced their rematch for the alphabet soup of IBF, WBO and WBA light heavyweight titles unification, Golden Boy Productions and Main Events announced a Nov. 8 date at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
The fight will pit lightning-quick 49-year-old Hopkins (55-6-2, 32 knockouts) against the thundering knockout power of 31-year-old Kovalev (25-0-1, 23 KOs).Other possible dates including Nov. 1 at Barclays in Brooklyn were considered, however, the fight which will air on HBO, will feature both fighters returning to familiar stomping grounds.
Hopkins has fought in Atlantic City 19 times, while Kovalev has only gotten in the ring for a sanctioned match in Atlantic City twice. However, both fights were his most recent American defenses of his title.
"Atlantic City is a second home to me," said Hopkins. "Some of my most memorable victories and greatest accomplishments of my career have taken place there including my fights against Antonio Tarver and Kelly Pavlik. I expect Philly to represent and come out to Boardwalk Hall to see me make history once again."
"I am happy to be back in Atlantic City," said Kovalev. "This is my third time fighting there, but this is the most special because this time I am facing the legendary Bernard Hopkins."
