NEW YORK — Bernard Hopkins' defense of his IBF light heavyweight title against Karo Murat has been cancelled because Murat could not get a visa from the State Department.
Germany's Murat, the No. 2-ranked light heavyweight, was training in Spain when he was told Friday that the July 13 bout was off. The bout was scheduled for the Barclays Center.
Hopkins, the oldest boxer to win a championship, says he is "extremely disappointed about the fight being cancelled. I was already in the gym, sparring and preparing for the fight, but things happen."
Murat indicated his promoter is in talks with Golden Boy Promotions to find an alternative.
