BoxRec

Today's Manly Daily had this back page article about our Hoppa's next grasp for greatness:

Heavyweight title demolition derby by John Greco - 1 May 2008

HE'S just made a return to rugby league and is also training to become a referee but John Hopoate has declared he's still fully committed to becoming the next Australian heavyweight boxing champion.

The Manly Daily can reveal Hopoate will return to the ring next month to face demolition labourer Brian Fitzgerald for the NSW Heavyweight Title.

The pair have met twice before in the last 12 months with one win apiece.

While admitting he was enjoying his return to league and flirtation with refereeing, Hopoate said he was still fiercely determined to become Australia's top heavyweight.

"That's my goal and I think I can still get there," he told the Daily yesterday.

"Everyday I'm learning more and more and getting better. With each fight I feel more confident. I want to go as far as I can in boxing ... it's very important for me.

"I just have to stick to it 100 percent and I can get there."

The problem for Hopoate is finding the time - and money - to have a real crack at his lofty goal. Currently without a full-time sponsor, the 34-year-old is mixing the fighting game with work, his refereeing ambitions and commitments with his church.

"(My busy schedule) does make it a bit harder but there's not much I can do," he said. "At the moment (without a sponsor) I've got to work and do other things to keep things going for my family.

"I have to support them and they will always come first for me. I'd like more time on my hands to train but I can't do it."

Hopoate's trainer Dino Billinghurst said he has no doubts Hopoate would become Australia's best if he could fully commit to the sport and wasn't a "part-time boxer".

He also believes the upcoming bout could be a defining moment in Hopoate's boxing career. "If I feel like he gave it his all and lost I would tell him to retire," Billinghurst said. "He won't lose though."

Hopoate said he was confident of getting the better of Fitzgerald and winning the state title.

Hopoate meets Fitzgerald at the Campbelltown Catholic Club on June 27.

its refreshing that a fighter sees the national title as his first ultimate goal. usually the aim is a stacked record, and money.

hoppa obviously knows he may have to fight all the other oz heavies to get his shot, and is prepared to. something most of the others are reluctant to try.

i havent always been a fan of hoppa, but i like the way he is going about setting his boxing goals.

good luck hoppa.

Hoppa is now qualified junior footy referee, and had stated a few minutes ago on 10 News he's considering making a career out of it.

It's an achievable goal for him. If this is what he wants then good luck to him. He may well become the gatekeeper for promising young heavies in Australia. A role he could do for years to come.

Give me a break!

why because people are being positive for a change.

i agree with these posts.

the guy is not getting too far ahead of himself and is admitting that there is more for him to learn. he has never said he was going to become the greatest boxer that ever lived(unlike another aussie boxer).

that being said he can't afford too many losses in his next few fights or he will have to hang up the gloves all together. i'm sure he has taken a little notice of danny greens retirement to know that there is going to be a limit on his boxing days and has decided that being a referee is his future.

The reason Hoppa has started refereeing Rugby League with a view of progressing towards the NRL ranks is that refereeing brings in some bucks to supplement his meagre park footie income.

But boxing is where the Hopster can make a bit of brass to support his brood and going back to being a brickie is a bit like hard work.

AntonS wrote:Hoppa is now qualified junior footy referee, and had stated a few minutes ago on 10 News he's considering making a career out of it.

He would be of the same general standard as other NRL referees.

Crap.

Brute wrote:

AntonS wrote:Hoppa is now qualified junior footy referee, and had stated a few minutes ago on 10 News he's considering making a career out of it.

He would be of the same general standard as other NRL referees.

Crap.

how the fornicate would you know that brute???

Hey boys for what its worth there is a very (very) small mention of Hoppa in todays local manly daily which says he will be heading his own card in September in a 12 round fight

The number of rounds is very interesting, although that would be the scheduled rounds and he could easily end it well before then

It looks like our Hoppa is aiming for the stars and (heaven forbid) if the WBF gets on board, Hoppa could be an alphabet regional champion without fighting anyone of consequence.

pawpaw wrote:

Brute wrote:

AntonS wrote:Hoppa is now qualified junior footy referee, and had stated a few minutes ago on 10 News he's considering making a career out of it.

He would be of the same general standard as other NRL referees.

Crap.

how the eff would you know that brute???

Have you watched any NRL games lately? if that is the best they can come up with, there is no hope. As for Hopoate, he is a numbskull.

Hey just saw that Hoppa vs Fitzgerald is no longer on the schedule and was wondering what happened. Does this have anything to do with fitz copping a beating last week?

yes it does

I thought that was a bit soon for Fitzgerald to fight after the hiding Cronje gave him. I am glad they called the fight off.