IBF light heavyweight titleholder weighed 172.5, two and half pounds under the division limit, at Friday’s weigh-in for his defense against Karo Murat that will take place on Saturday in Atlantic City, N.J. Murat weighed 174 pounds. Peter Quillin and Gabriel Rosado, who fight in Saturday’s co-feature, also made weight for their WBO title bout.

“That’s a statement,” Hopkins told Showtime’s Steve Farhood when asked about his weight. Hopkins, who turns 49 in February, says he also wants to make a statement with his fists tomorrow night.

“The last time I had a knockout was 2004 (against Oscar De La Hoya). I need a knockout. I got to get this itch off my back.”

Murat, a once-beaten challenger from Germany was animated during their staredown after the weigh-in. The 30-year-ol Iraq native made the throat-slash gesture to Hopkins, who was unimpressed.

“I see a game guy, but scared,” he said. “But he’s coming to fight. I’m going to break his will early and I’m going to put on a show.”

Quillin, who weighed 159.25 pounds, and Rosado, who weighed 160 pounds, also plan to put on a show. Their staredown was heated with lots of angry talk from the defending beltholder (Quillin). Both young fighters predict they will win by knockout.