Hopkins-Dawson rematch in Atlantic City

BERNARD HOPKINS will return to the ring for his rematch with Chad Dawson on April 28 in Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall.

"Attn: fanz & of course HATERZ April 28 AC im getting my revenge/victory on @OfficialBadChad 4 that BS," Hopkins tweeted yesterday. A Hopkins spokeswoman later confirmed the bout.

Their first meeting, on Oct. 15 in Los Angeles' Staples Center, was originally declared a second-round technical-knockout victory for Dawson by referee Pat Russell. It was later changed to a no-contest by the California State Athletic Commission, which determined that Hopkins' shoulder injury, which prevented him from continuing, was the result of a foul after he was lifted and thrown down by Dawson (30-1, 17 KOs).

At the time, Dawson was awarded the WBC light-heavyweight championship with his victory. The WBC also changed the decision to a no-contest, returning the belt to Hopkins and ordering a rematch.

Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer told the Daily News last week that he had reserved the date at Boardwalk Hall and that his immediate efforts would go toward arranging a rematch. Those efforts came together quickly.

The 47-year-old Hopkins (52-5-2, 32 KOs) had initially said he was not interested in a rematch because he thought Dawson lacked "gate appeal" and was looking to unify the light-heavyweight titles.

He was, however, eager to return to Boardwalk Hall, site of some of his most memorable victories. Hopkins, the oldest boxer ever to hold a world championship, has said he intends to fight "once or twice" more.