DAWSON DEFEATS HOPKINS: THE OLD WARRIOR BOWS DOWN TO HIS YOUNG CHALLENGER
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 29 Apr 2012
Atlantic City, N.J. ? This city has always been good to future Hall of Fame bound Bernard Hopkins. He had a couple of two meaningful victories here against tough competition, notably Kelly Pavlik and Antonio Tarver. It always brings the best out of him, despite being an underdog on both fights. Maybe it was Atlantic City?s proximity to his hometown of nearby Philadelphia that brings the best out of him. Maybe because he knows his fans, family and friends will all be present here as they crossed the state line to witness him fight. Maybe because the dome by the sea known as The Boardwalk Hall is the venue of many of the sport?s best fights, and the magic that it brings to this old warrior of the ring is brought by the spirit of courage shown here.
But tonight was different. Tonight was devoid of magic for the 47 year old champion. Tonight belonged to his young rival in Chad Dawson. Dawson fought him to a very unappealing and controversial fight that ended abruptly last October at a different venue across the country. A fight that was ruled a no contest by the sanctioning bodies of the sport. Hence, tonight?s rematch in a venue closer to home for both fighters.
Dawson used speed and effective punching against Hopkins who seemed baffled for most of the fight. The 29 year old 30-1 fighter from Connecticut rained punches on his older counterpart, forcing Hopkins to hold and cover up to protect himself. Hopkins would come back with occasional spurts of his own to the delight of the hometown crowd but these were not sustained by him. Dawson countered him smartly, frustrating him for most of the night.
Hopkins would try to employ one of his best weapons of the game, which is to play mind tricks on his young foe. The crowd would react in delight on Hopkins? antics but the entertainment would stop there as Dawson would not take a part of it. Dawson was the more accurate, better puncher who landed scoring shots on the defending champion. Hopkins would also connect on his own during some heated exchanges in the ring but not enough to put the hurt on his challenger. Hopkins connected only on 26 percent of his punches against Dawson?s 35 percent. Dawson also connected on half (48 percent) of his power punches against only 30 percent of Hopkins. He also navigated the ring well and fought a smart fight against a veteran of the ring.
Dawson in the end carved a Majority Decision victory in the city that brought so many good memories to his opponent across the ring. A questionable even score of 114 by Luis Rivera was booed by the crowd, fearing another controversial and unfair judgment that has permeated the sports lately. But the other two judges saw what the crowd of 7705 saw here tonight. That despite the many sentimental reasons for Hopkins to win tonight, it just won?t be enough for him to beat the odds this time. And in boxing just like in life, the phrase that out comes the old and in comes the new applies as well.
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com for any reactions to this fight.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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