King’s Atlantic City card chock full of excitement

Dean Juipe

Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003 | 9:39 a.m.

Promoter Don King frequently overloads his cards with numerous, insignificant fights. But Saturday in Atlantic City, a typically mammoth King card has an atypical quality to it as he presents no fewer than eight 12-round fights.

The pay-per-view card will start early and run late, as a steady procession of title fights and elimination bouts guarantees a lengthy show.

Those interested in watching on closed circuit in Las Vegas have five locations to choose from, including the Plaza, the Beach, the San Remo, the Flamingo Hilton and Mandalay Bay. Admission is $35 and the first televised fight is 5 p.m.

What follows is a look at each of the eight major fights and all references to betting odds are from the sports book at the Palms. All quotes are from conference calls or were relayed by press agents this week.

Hopkins vs. Joppy

Undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins hasn't lost a fight since 1993 and has been a titleholder since 1995, but he's also closing in on 39 years old and is facing a decent challenger in William Joppy.

Bettors feel Hopkins will extend his reign, as he's a minus 700 favorite. Joppy is a plus 500.

Hopkins, 42-2-1, has a side wager with Joppy and has bet him $50,000 (vs. $25,000) that he will knock him out.

"The pressure is on each person on this card," Hopkins said in something of an overview. "They say I'm an old man with no reflexes, but nobody is knocking on my door (to fight). Anybody who wants to be hit, I'll hit."

Joppy, 33, a former champion with a record of 34-2-1, takes exception to Hopkins' remark about no one being willing to fight, as he says he has been chasing the champion for years.

"If Bernard had a way out of this fight, he wouldn't fight," Joppy said. "I really feel he did a disservice to me, the division and the fans. I don't think I've been given credit for what I've done, and Hopkins is getting too much credit.

"He can't touch my boxing skills. He's just a basic fighter living off the fight he won with (Felix) Trinidad."

Joppy realizes what is at stake, saying "This is do or die for me. Career wise, the difference between winning and losing this fight is absolutely incredible."

Hopkins says Joppy should expect the worst.

"He's a tough fighter and I can't take anything away from him, but he has been running his mouth from Day 1," he said. "I can't wait to see what he has to say after Saturday night."

Here's what Hopkins' trainer, Bouie Fisher, is saying before it: "Bernard is the best middleweight since Sugar Ray Robinson."

Ruiz vs. Rahman

Two former heavyweight world champions, John Ruiz and Hasim Rahman, are matched in a fight that could bring the winner the World Boxing Association title if current champ Roy Jones Jr. elects to step aside or not defend the belt against the mandatory challenger.

"This is it for me, a chance to redeem myself and regain the title," Ruiz said. "I know I have to win. I have to be the aggressor and look good. If I can't beat Rahman, I may have to go into another line of work."

Ruiz is 38-5-1 and Rahman is 35-4-1. Ruiz has a home in Las Vegas but trained back East, while Rahman recently moved here and prepped for this fight with trainer Roger Mayweather.

Rahman opened at a minus 240 but has been bet down to a minus 165, while Ruiz opened at plus 190 and is now plus 135.

"Training in Las Vegas has put me in the best shape ever," Rahman said. "It has been a much different camp than anything I had in the past, and I learned different things and am more motivated than ever.

"I know he is taking this fight very seriously, so I haven't taken any shortcuts. How can you estimate what this fight means to the winner?"

Mayorga vs. Spinks

A unified welterweight champion will emerge after Ricardo Mayorga and Cory Spinks fight with their three belts on the line.

"He does not belong in the ring with me," Mayorga claims. "We are not on the same level. I will be his worst nightmare. I will work his body, then take his heart, then knock him out.

"He will never be the same."

Mayorga is 25-3-1 and is a minus 450 betting favorite. Spinks is 31-2 and is a plus 325.

"I think they made a big mistake," said Spinks, who trained here for the fight. "All boxers are different but Mayorga has never seen a boxer like me. This might be easier for me than anybody thinks."

Braithwaite vs. Pineda

World Boxing Council cruiserweight champ Wayne Braithwaite appears to be in a slugfest with challenger Luis Pineda, as the latter has won or lost each of his 14 most recent bouts by knockout.

Braithwaite, 19-0 with 16 KOs, has also won 14 consecutive fights by knockout.

Pineda, 17-3 with 15 KOs, has 11 wins by knockout and three losses by knockout in his previous 14 fights.

Alvarez vs. Burgos

Two junior flyweight champs, Rosendo Alvarez and Victor Burgos, square off in a 105-pound showdown. Alvarez is 32-2-1 and is best known for his trilogy of fights with Bebis Mendoza. Burgos is 24-2.

Perez vs. Machado

In a rematch, International Boxing Federation junior bantamweight champion Luis Perez is paired with Felix Machado in a title defense at 115 pounds.

Perez is 21-1 and defeated Machado by decision when they fought last January.

Machado is 23-4-1 and, like Perez, is a southpaw.

Judah vs. Rangel

No (legitimate) title is at stake as former junior welterweight world champ Zab Judah takes on Jaime Rangel in what may be something of a mismatch.

Judah, 29-1, is a minus 900 betting favorite, while Rangel, 29-4-1, is a plus 600.

"I'm planning on stealing the show," said Judah, who is sporting a new look with 5 karats worth of diamonds now attached to his front teeth. "It fits my personality," he said of the glitzy additions.

Garcia vs. Simms

In another 12-round fight without a legitimate title on the line, Alejandro "Terra" Garcia looks to add to his credentials at the expense of Travis Simms, a southpaw who is known for his moving, evasive style.

"If he stands and punches, I will stop him," Garcia said, perhaps fearing that his fellow lightweight will not stand and fight.

Neither man has lost a fight, as Garcia is 27-0 (with a notable win against Santiago Samaniego this year) and Simms is 22-0 while fighting primarly near his home in Connecticut.

"He's a good fighter but so am I, and I know what to do," Garcia said.