HOPKINS BREAKS FOREMAN?S RECORD
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 23 May 2011
The old man is in the history books.
That?s how the Montreal Gazette led off with its story on 46 year old Bernard Hopkins unanimous twelve round decision over Jean Pascal of Canada to capture the World Boxing Council and International Boxing Organization light-heavyweight championships before a record-breaking crowd of 17,560 at the Bell Centre.
All three judges scored the fight for Hopkins although it was rather close. Filipino judge Rey Danseco had Hopkins the winner by a wide 116-112 scorecard, Italian judge Guido Cavelleri had it 115-113 and Thailand?s Anek Hongtongkam had Hopkins by a narrow 115-114 margin..
With the win Hopkins avenged a controversial majority draw against Pascal last December in Quebec City which helped the Canadian retain his title. Many ringsiders believed that Hopkins had done enough to win.
Referee Ian John Lewis failed to call two apparent knockdowns scored by Hopkins prompting Golden Boy Promotions CEO to stand up in his ringside seat and complain.
Pascal?s undoing was once again his tendency to fade in the later rounds while Hopkins belied his age by finishing stronger although there were many times he used his ring smarts like holding and grappling to throw Pascal off.
Referee had to often separate the two fighters as he warned them for head- butts, wrestling and elbows.
In a post fight interview Pascal said ?Bernard fought a great fight,? Pascal said. ?He?s a great champ. He had a a really good defence and a lot of tricks. I?m a young fighter and I?m green. These two fights will lead me to the next level. I learned a lot from Bernard.?
Hopkins improved to 52-5-2, while the 28-year-old Pascal is now 26-2-1.
With the win Hopkins became the oldest boxing champion in history replacing George Foreman who was 45 when he defeated Michael Moorer for the heavyweight crown in 1994.
BBC Sport reported that Hopkins received a glowing tribute from Foreman who said ?What great conditioning and he did it in Pascal?s hometown. Isn?t that something? He was just so much better. I?m happy f or Hopkins and I?m happy for mature athletes.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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