Bernard Hopkins entertains the crowd in winning against Karo Murat
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 27 Oct 2013
Atlantic City, NJ - The ageless wonder of boxing, 48 year old IBF Light Heavyweight champion, Bernard Hopkins entered the historic Boardwalk Hall Arena with a green alien mask and a bug suit in the tune of an alien music theme in the background.
Hopkins, who told the media during fight week that he has alien blood running in his veins, reason why he is still competitive in the sport at his age, continued his out-of-this-world gimmick when he climbed the ring for his title defense against Karo Murat of Berlin, Germany.
In a fight that should have been called 'The Bernard Hopkins Show" , the American fighter put on an entertaining performance against a willing counterpart in Murat, whom he outclassed and defeated by Unanimous Decision in 12 rounds.
Hopkins trashed talked, clowned and mocked Murat who gamely fought the reigning champion in Atlantic City, a short drive from Hopkins' hometown of Philadelphia.
Murat engaged the veteran and the champion in their 12 round title fight and Hopkins had no choice but to forget boxing-and clowning, and instead answer his challenger's aggressiveness, producing an exciting brawl between the two which the fans at the arena enjoyed.
Hopkins though would not let go of his fight antics, and at one point in the fight, he shouted and talked at Murat's corner outside of the ring and the announcers at ringside while Murat is launching an offensive on him.
That was all for show though, as the cunning Philly fighter turned around and rained combinations at a surprised opponent. That action in the ring drew yells and cheers from an appreciative crowd at The Hall and chants of his name echoed in the historic arena.
The exchanges took a harder toll on Murat who was bleeding from a cut in his left eye by the 9th round. Both fighters would give and receive punches from each other, but Hopkins showed no respect on his opponent's power as the fight went on towards the championship rounds. He also took advantage of his opponent's bleeding cut which became a target for his punches.
Hopkins convincingly won on all of the judges' cards with scores of 119-108, 119-108 and 117-110.
Hopkins was asked after the fight, if he will ever get old in the ring, he replied , "I am a freaking alien. Aliens don't get old, they don't have years, months, days, minutes."
"They told me I had to be a crowd pleaser and sure, I took a little bit of blood, but that is what the crowd wanted to see," Hopkins stated.
It worked. It was the most entertaining Bernard Hopkins fight in recent memory.
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com and on Twitter @Freemazon910.
Photo: Bernard Hopkins throws a right at Karo Murat during their light heavyweight fight in Boardwalk Hall Arena on October 26, 2013 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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