Hopoate plans to make US debut.

[Hounddawg]

Seems Hopoate is starting to make a splash in boxing, and has the right people behind him.


Hopoate planning bouts in US in 2009


Rugby league star turned boxer John Hopoate is scheduled to fight three times in America this year, with the aims of securing a regional title bout and a world ranking.

Hopoate won the Australian heavyweight title last October with a ninth round stoppage of veteran Bob Mirovic.

The former NSW and Australian winger has notched 10 wins, all by KO, and two losses since switching to boxing in 2006.

Hopoate is now being managed by Stuart Duncan, one of Australia's best connected and most respected boxing identities.

The American-based Australian said the plan was for Hopoate to have three fights in the United States this year and two in Australia.

Duncan said the 33-year-old heavyweight would work with Australian trainer Justin Fortune in the US, while retaining his current training team in Australia.

He believes better quality sparring in the US will help add polish to the undoubted power Hopoate possesses.

While the Australian National Boxing Federation has reportedly ordered Hopoate to give Mirovic a rematch, the former rugby league star may well end up relinquishing the title as that fight doesn't necessarily fit into his plans.

Duncan said Hopoate was likely to spend time in his altitude training camp in the US before making his American debut, possibly in March.

The Sydney-based boxer has fought under 40 rounds since moving over from rugby league.

Duncan has managed a number of well credentialled Australian fighters including Sam Soliman and Jason Delisle and arranged important bouts for several other prominent local pugilists.

Meanwhile, Mirovic is currently training on a friend's sheep farm on the south island of New Zealand.

Quite apart from seeking a rematch with Hopoate, Mirovic is also looking for another crack at New Zealand heavyweight Shane Cameron, who knocked him out in their July 2007 bout at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

There's also the possibility of Hoppa taking on Tommy gunn Morrison in Melbourne early this year.

I hope Solo stands up and take note.

[Marlin]

I also read this this morning. I say good on him. Going to America with Duncan helping him get sparring and fights can only be a positive move.

I think we should all stop talking about Mirovic in the hope that he will get the message and call it a day.

[toppity]

Why does the media continue to mention Tommy Gunn as a prospective opponent? No boxing authority in their right mind would give him a licence, furthermore, no fighter in their right mind would fight him. The general concencus is he has Aids. Regardless of wether there is only a slim chance you can catch it in the ring, who would take that risk? And more importantly, in this day and age, who would put up the insurance?

[Beltane]

Meanwhile, Mirovic is currently training on a friend's sheep farm on the south island of New Zealand.

Big Bob is still trying to pull the wool over our eyes!

[Chauncy]

Big Bob should be happy he didn't get seriously hurt against Shane the 1st time. Why on Gods green earth would he want a rematch?

I hope Hoppa does come to America to fight. We need something over there to spice things up, and I doubt he's the guy to do it, but we'll take our chances.

[iron rhino]

Here here,lets wait an see!

[N2 Shape]

Because his purse from there fight only covered his medical bills after being KTFO, He plans on using the purse from a second fight to cover his funeral expenses (ig the fight goes ahead)

There could actually be some interestings fights in Australasia at Heavyweight

John Hopoate VS Alex Leapai
Solomon Haumono VS Shane Cameron
David Tua Vs Kali Meehan
Chauncy Welliver Vs Mike Lloyd

[Brute]

Why does the media continue to mention Tommy Gunn as a prospective opponent? No boxing authority in their right mind would give him a licence, furthermore, no fighter in their right mind would fight him. The general concencus is he has Aids. Regardless of wether there is only a slim chance you can catch it in the ring, who would take that risk? And more importantly, in this day and age, who would put up the insurance?

Morrison is fighting Corey Williams in Wyoming at the end of this month. I have a feeling the Hopoate/Morrison fight was a case of a journo mistaking a drunken fantasy for reality.

[buster007]

meehan doesn't need to fight tua.

[Brute]

meehan doesn't need to fight tua.

Last I heard tua's promoter was trying to match him with Cameron. Tua's last fight was against a tomato can named Cerrone Fox in September 2007.

[isabella]

hoppa come back & face briggs,demori,haumono,cronje,kirby,leapai or mirovic who be alot different now with hyder then you can go 2 da stares.

[N2 Shape]

Simply said Tua Vs Meehan would be a good local fight, said nothing about Meehan needing Tua clearly he doesnt.

Id agree Hoppa has some good fights on the domestic front if he wants them but in terms of marketability getting a few fights in the US wont do him anyharm, not that hes going to make a splash over there

[Hounddawg]

Simply said Tua Vs Meehan would be a good local fight, said nothing about Meehan needing Tua clearly he doesnt.

Id agree Hoppa has some good fights on the domestic front if he wants them but in terms of marketability getting a few fights in the US wont do him anyharm, not that hes going to make a splash over there

Yeah but it sure would be good to see. When is Tua returning?wasn't he suppose to fight Cameron?

[wdobbin]

All this talk about Hopoate fighting serious opponents is, at this stage, ludicrous.
He's only ever fought one guy with more wins than losses (Mirovic) and was bashed from pillar to post by Ben Edwards who hadn't had a previous pro fight (and hasn't had one since).

[buster007]

n2 shape,

doesn't mean i can't comment on him not needing to face tua. no need to arc up u know. relax hey!

[funso banjo baby]

All this talk about Hopoate fighting serious opponents is, at this stage, ludicrous.
He's only ever fought one guy with more wins than losses (Mirovic) and was bashed from pillar to post by Ben Edwards who hadn't had a previous pro fight (and hasn't had one since).

ben edwards i think is in prison for much badness ..but isnt he technically the 'linear champ'

[toppity]

All this talk about Hopoate fighting serious opponents is, at this stage, ludicrous.
He's only ever fought one guy with more wins than losses (Mirovic) and was bashed from pillar to post by Ben Edwards who hadn't had a previous pro fight (and hasn't had one since).

ben edwards i think is in prison for much badness ..but isnt he technically the 'linear champ'

don't know if he actually went to jail. Don't think he has much of a claim to being any sort of champ...

[Hounddawg]

Hoppa is set to fight Moyoyo Mensah in march.

Hoppa should be too strong, i'm surprised i said that! real surprised

[Marlin]

Hoppa is set to fight Moyoyo Mensah in march.

Hoppa should be too strong, i'm surprised i said that! real surprised

Moyoyo is the best heavyweight in all of Ghana! But on a serious note it isn't the worst fight out there and Moyoyo is set to face Chauncy after Hoppa...