HOUSTON, TX, April 29, 2012 – Taking a look at the participants for Ultimate Warrior Fighting’s very first welterweight tournament, perhaps the biggest anomaly is Larry Lionel Hopkins, a fighter with a 3-10 record sandwiched into a group including some gritty veterans, all who unlike Hopkins have won way more than they have lost. With statistics in mind, the Houston-based fighter can be counted on as the consummate underdog – the one fighter in the entire tournament with the smallest chance at winning the whole thing.
For Hopkins though, that’s okay. He’s not used to being given a chance to win. In fact, he’s known most for a famous loss rather than a big victory.
Starting in combat sports as a boxer at the age of 13, his made goal had always been to get onto a pay-per-view card – a goal fulfilled when he was pegged to take on 52-year-old Dewey Bozella in October of 2011 for Golden Boy Promotions. It was a four-round fight wrapped up with a very compelling story. Bozella had just got out of prison after 26 years for a crime he didn’t commit. Heading into the fight, everyone was pulling for Bozella but being so old heading into his pro boxing debut, many doubted his ability to win. But he did, at Larry Hopkins’ expense.
Some fighters may be bitter about such a loss, likening it to being on the receiving end of a Blake Griffin slam dunk or giving up the game-winning touchdown but Hopkins’ took it gracefully.
“I honestly should have won the fight but this man was locked up for 26 years of his life for a crime he did not commit, so why not let him live his moment. I enjoy it (fighting) because it gives me a challenge. Life is full of challenges… Some you overcome and some you don’t but at least you can say you tried. I know I’ve made a lot bad choices in my career. I rushed myself a lot. I was in a rough marriage and took fights just to keep me occupied. Looking back, I don’t regret it, but I know I could do a lot better and at times it has shown. People like me and I always put on a good show. Now I plan on cleaning up my record and plan on fighting for a few more years.”
Entering the UWF Tournament of Warriors
Larry will be entering the opening round of the UWF Tournament of Warriors looking for the victory and believing in himself. Despite his paltry record and incomplete pedigree, he’s also going into it knowing that others believe in him as well.
“I joined this tournament because someone believes in me,” Larry says. Cutting down from 220 lbs. to make a run at the tournament limit of 170, he knows this will be a test of will and he has to push harder than ever before if he’s to find any success. “Training for this has been hell. The most challenging part is losing the weight. I love eating and hitting the weights but the weight loss so far has been good. I give credit to my brother Derek aka Kato Boyd, who helped me find my passion again before he died on Halloween. I also give credit to Sam Hogar and Sean Machado for the wise words they have given me in the past as well as they words that Machado speaks to me on a regular basis. I give credit for my new style and outlook to Rocky and Bruno Long and Robert and Crazy Joe, for taking the time out and pushing me and believing in me.”
He’ll look to put that believe to good use when he fights fellow Houstonian John Malbrough in the first round – an opponent he describes as tough and well-rounded who also has the advantage of having trained with Silverback Fight Club in the recent past – Hopkins’ former team.
“I think if this fight goes to a decision, then John will probably win. I don’t plan for that to happen. I plan to showcase my hands against his kicks. I do not doubt myself one bit, but I look at reality. So I have to go in there and stop the time and not let it stop me. It’s another challenge I have to overcome.”
UWF Tournament of Warriors – Opening Round Brackets
UWFMMA – Lightweight Tournament
Gilbert Jimenez (5-4-1) vs. Scott Cleve (8-2)
Flavio Alvaro (14-5) vs. Chris Quitiquit (4-1)
Rey Trujillo (9-6) vs. Christopher Pecero (4-3)
Victor Hernandez (8-13) vs. Hector Munoz (10-4)
UWFMMA – Welterweight Tournament
Larry Hopkins (3-10) vs. John Malbrough (3-2)
Mitchell Whitesel (19-20) vs. Chuck Parmalee (33-13)
Shamar Bailey (13-6) vs. Lucas Pimenta (14-7)
Justin Gutherie (14-4) vs. Jonathon Knutson (9-4)