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03/21/2006 Archived Entry: "Hopkins Hires Fitness Guru Shilstone, Boxing Trainer Jackson to Prep for Tarver!"
Hopkins Hires Fitness Guru Shilstone, Boxing Trainer Jackson to Prep for Tarver!
Former undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins announced earlier today, on the eve of a four city media tour with Antonio Tarver to promote their June 10th light heavyweight title fight in Atlantic City on HBO Pay-Per-View, that he has hired renowned fitness guru Mackie Shilstone to help him prepare for the 175 pound contest, which is two weight divisions and 15 pounds heavier than Hopkins' 160 pound middleweight divison.
Shilstone has worked with hundreds of athletes and is known in the boxing world for his previous work with champions Roy Jones, Jr, Michael Spinks and Riddick Bowe. "Mackie knows what he is doing and does a great job of successfully taking champions moving up in weight," said Hopkins. "His record speaks for itself as he remains undefeated with the fighters he has helped win their history-making battles, and in the case of Riddick Bowe, got him in the best shape of his career when he fought Evander Holyfield for the heavyweight title."
In addition to Shilstone, Hopkins has also enlisted the help of trainer John David Jackson, a former world champion whom Hopkins fought as a middleweight during his 10-year reign as champion.
Jackson, a former southpaw who left the game with an impressive professional career will assist Hopkins' lead trainer Nazim Richardson in preparations for the fight. "I known John David Jackson well and he offered me his help," said Hopkins. "He was a great fighter and now an excellent trainer who will add great value to my training team, and help me prepare for Tarver, who happens to be a southpaw himself."
Hopkins added. "I'm lining up my troops to go to battle with," Hopkins said. "I am going in there to win this fight."
