Brad Solomon vs. Demetrius Hopkins Welterweight Showdown on ESPN's 'FNF'

This Friday night, on ESPN 2's "Friday Night Fights," boxing returns to the Hard Rock Live arena at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

The main event will feature two welterweight (147 pounds) contenders ready to lay it on the line and battle.

Twenty-Seven year old Brad "King" Solomon (16-0, 7 KO's) of Lafayette, Louisiana will be taking on 30-year-old Demetrius "Gladiator" Hopkins (30-1-1, 11 KO's) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Solomon, who is ranked No. 1 by the WBA, No. 6 by the WBC and No.  7 by the WBO, will be defending his WBA International Welterweight title.

Solomon started boxing in prison from the age of 17 until 22. There, he learned and mastered his craft as an amateur. He was a three-time National Golden Gloves champion as a welterweight in 2005 and light welterweight in 2006 and 2007. He had two fights when he turned pro in 2008, then has remained very active, fighting seven times in 2009 and seven more times in 2010.

Last June, on ESPN's "Friday Night Fights," he defeated undefeated prospect Kenny Garza (14-1, 14 KO's) by unanimous decision. In his most recent fight, he defeated Anges Adjaho (25-3-0) by unanimous decision in December of last year.

Ring veteran of 32 fights Demetrius Hopkins (nephew of Bernard Hopkins), ranked No. 12 by the IBF, will be Solomon's biggest test yet as a pro.

In the amateur ranks, Hopkins was the 1999 National Golden Gloves Light welterweight champion. Then, as a pro, he held the USBA Light Welterweight title in 2006-2007. His only defeat came against Kendall Holt in 2008 by split decision. He defeated Steve Forbes in 2007 by unanimous decision. In his last fight, in July of 2010, he defeated Mike Arnaoutis by unanimous decision.

Both Solomon and Hopkins stand at an even 5'11" and have no common opponent between each other. In ring experience, Hopkins has the advantage by having 217 rounds boxed over Solomon's 81 rounds boxed.

Both fighters should be going at it, as a victory on television (ESPN) will lead to bigger fights and pay days down the road.

Friday night's show is being promoted by The Heavyweight Factory (Solomon's promoter) and Gary Shaw Productions (Hopkins promoter).

ESPN 2's "Friday Night Fights" will begin broadcasting at 9:00 pm eastern time.