Undisputed Middleweight Champion Secures Future With Long-Term HBO Sports Deal Philadelphia, PA – Golden Boy Promotions and Ex Management on behalf of undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins has signed a multi-fight deal with HBO Sports that will extend throughout the remainder of his professional boxing career.  Although most of Hopkins’ recent fights have taken place on either HBO World Championship Boxing or HBO Pay Per View, Hopkins has never had a long-term deal with the network until this week.  “I feel like I have been an HBO champion de facto for some time now but this deal makes me feel like I am finally home and truly part of the real HBO family,” said Hopkins.  “The security and assurance they are providing me and my family for the remainder of my career alleviates all the unnecessary worries a fighter thinks about when there is no long-term deal in place.”   

The 40-year old, self-managed Hopkins—who has publicly stated that he will retire upon his 41st birthday—plans to put sleep on hold for the remainder of the year.  His goal is to fight three more times and still remain middleweight champion of the world before the January 2006 deadline.  “I have laid out my own road map that will make the final phase of my career extremely exciting for me and my fans,” said Hopkins.  “This long term deal with HBO will help make this final road trip a reality as I get closer to hanging up my gloves.”