Hopkins among Philly boxers with upcoming bouts

P HILADELPHIA has always been known as a boxing city. From Bennie Briscoe to Smokin' Joe Frazier to Tim Witherspoon, the City of Brotherly Love has been home to some of the world's best fighters.

Today is no different. The Philadelphia area has a handful of boxers in the top-10 in their respective divisions, including light-heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins.

The 48-year-old Hopkins, who will be defending his title on Oct. 19 against Karo Murat, sees Philly as a town in which boxing can continue to flourish.

Even though Hopkins is still active he believes there is another person in the city who deserves to be the face of Philadelphia boxing.

"Danny Garcia," Hopkins said. "He is the man I have passed the torch to. Everything I'm doing now is gravy to my legacy. Danny Garcia, right now, is the the face of boxing in this city. He is the guy that I handed the baton to.

"As I told Angel, his father, I said, 'No matter when I retire, or any titles that I win, Danny Garcia is the face of boxing because of all the things he brings to the sport.' "

Garcia has been the super-lightweight champion, since March 2012. He is 26-0, with 16 of those wins coming via knockout. His next fight is sure to be his biggest, as he takes on Lucas Matthysse on the same card as Floyd Mayweather on Sept. 14 in Las Vegas.

"I believe that he will do well in the big fight he has coming up," Hopkins said. "He has to be nearly perfect, though."

Hopkins believes that Garcia's success will only enhance the reputation of Philly as a fight town.

"I sit back, even though I'm active, and say that boxing is in great hands. It's in great hands with Danny Garcia," Hopkins said. "I understand that right now, that's who I have to support."

Supporting Garcia is not the only way that Hopkins is strengthening boxing ties within the city. Tomorrow, Hopkins and his promoter, Joe Hand Jr., are holding a community fitness day at the Joe Hand Boxing gym at 547 N. Third Street. The event, which is sponsored by vitaminwater, is to teach children between the ages of 10 and 17 about fitness and the sport of boxing.

Hopkins is one of the area's top five fighters, four of whom will fight over the next 3 months:

* Eddie Chambers: 36-3 (18K).

Last fight: The Pittsburgh native, who fights out of Philly, lost to Tomasz Adamek in a 12-round unanimous decision on June 16, 2012 for the vacant IBF North American heavyweight title.

Next fight: Aug. 3 vs. Thabiso Mchunu Thabiso Mchunu at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn.

* Danny Garcia: 26-0 (16 KOs).

Last fight: Defeated Zab Judah in a unanimous decision on April 27 to retain WBC light welterweight title.

Next fight: Sept. 14 vs. Lucas Matthysse at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas.

*  Bernard Hopkins: (53-6-2, 32 KOs)

Last fight: Defeated Tavoris Cloud in a unanimous decision on March 9 for IBF light-heavyweight title.

Next fight: Oct. 19 vs. Karo Murat at Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City.

* Bryant Jennings: 17-0 (9 KOs).

Last fight: Defeated Andrey Fedosov in a Referees Technical Decision in the sixth round to retain his USBA heavyweight title.

Next fight: To be determined.

* Hank Lundy: 22-3-1 (11 KOs).

Last fight: Lost to Viktor Postol in a unanimous decision for the WBC International light-welterweight title.

Next fight: Tonight, vs. Ajose Olusegun at Rockingham Park, Salem, N.H.