Them’s fightin’ words, Lynn’s Ford tells radio host

LYNN – Lynn Ward 7 City Councilor Rick Ford is dusting off his boxing gloves to spar against WRKO radio host Reese Hopkins after he called Lynn “a dump.”Hopkins was talking about state lottery aid to cities and towns when he made the remark on his talk show Thursday. Hopkins has accepted Ford’s offer to fight, but it’s unclear when the event will take place.Upon hearing the insult, a fuming Ford called a station producer and gave him an angry message to pass along to Hopkins.”(Tell him) to come down to Rivera Brothers Boxing Club any day at 4 o’clock and I’ll meet him. I’d like to pound his head in,” Ford said. “You can put that on the radio.”Ford’s message, which was posted in its entirety on Boston Magazine’s Web site Thursday, went on to say the City Council Vice President was “very offended” by Hopkins’ remarks.”Tell that (censored) that I used to like listening to (him) before he called Lynn a dump,” Ford said. “I’ll never listen to him again if (he doesn’t) apologize. I’d like to slap him in the mouth.”Hopkins was unapologetic after accepting Ford’s invitation to box.”Hey Lynn, you’re a dump, get used to it,” Hopkins said. “You’re a teen pregnancy away from being Gloucester.”A phone call to Ford was not returned Thursday night.In an interview with WCVB-TV, Ford, a third generation Lynner, said Hopkins’ remarks were “over the top.””I think he needs to apologize to the city of Lynn? It’s a good city,” he said.Hopkins responded by asking, “Why should I apologize?””I think it sends a message to some of the gangs in Lynn that two grown men can handle their problems in a fisticuffs, in the ring, instead of shooting each other in the streets,” Hopkins told the television station.