Bernard Hopkins vs Karo Murat bout set for July 13

PanARMENIAN.Net - Bernard Hopkins placed his right hand near his neck as his left hand tightened the imaginary tie he wore at Joe Hand Gym. The International Boxing Federation light-heavyweight champion of the world is preparing for a blind date, Hopkins said, according to Daily Telegraph.

He conceded he knew little about Karo Murat, the 29-year-old German he will meet July 13 in a 12-round title defense at Brooklyn's Barclays Center.

And that, Hopkins said, is what makes Murat dangerous.

Murat (25-1-1, 15 knockouts), who is of Armenian descent, has never fought in the United States and has won three bouts against subpar U.S. competition.

Hopkins (53-6-2, 32 KO's) said Murat has nothing to lose. If Murat falls, Hopkins said, he is not losing to "some 48-year-old guy." He's losing to the sport's oldest world champion.

Hopkins will travel to Las Vegas on Wednesday, May 1 to assist Golden Boy Promotions with Saturday night's Floyd Mayweather vs. Robert Guerrero bout.