Bernard Hopkins beat Jean Pascal in the ring last night to become boxing’s oldest fighter to win a championship title, making a new record for the boxing history books. The 46 year-old Hopkins, outscored his opponent, who is 18 years younger than him. Hopkins has replaced George Forman who held this record since 1994.
Hopkins claimed the WBC light-heavyweight title after defeating his 28 year old opponent, Jean Pascal. Hopkins boxing career spans more than three decades, in which he has won 52 fights and lost only five in during this time, according to SB Nation.
Last night at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Hopkins won the IBO and Ring Magazine titles from Pascal, who had successfully defended them five times before his match with Hopkins. Hopkins is now the oldest boxer to ever take a major world belt. He has replaced this 1994 record achieved by Forman who is only six months younger than Hopkins. Forman’s KO of Michael Moorer awarded him this record.
The early attack on this Philadelphia boxer, changed course as Hopkins started to land more punches, while avoiding many of Pascal’s power punches. Hopkins landed a number of heavy right-hands on his Canadian opponent which ultimately worked in awarding him the win.
Early in the fight, Hopkins stayed with his usual form of taking it easy while sizing up the rhythm of the fight. Pascal came out aggressive throwing the hard shots and landed one early on that appeared to hurt Hopkins. In their first bout Hopkins was knocked down twice, during last nights fight he managed to stay on his feet and avoided too much damage. It wasn’t until round five that things changed for Hopkins when he started firing off his straight right hand and frequently landing it on Pascal, causing Pascal to fade. Pascal was unable to make the adjustment to avoid this shot through the rest of the fight.
Hopkins dropped to do press-ups before the seventh round, taunting his younger opponent. After the 12th round, each of the judges had Hopkins ahead on points with the cards reading 115-113, 116-112, 115-114. Hopkins said “I didn’t feel like 46 tonight, I felt more like 36,” Hopkins said after the fight. Hopkins said he thought that everyone enjoyed themselves and that he thought it was exciting.
SB Nation scored the bout 116-112 for Hopkins, with the judges scoring the bout, 115-113, 116-112 and 115-114, again with Hopkins for the win.
Pascal admitted that his two bouts with Hopkins has taught him a lesson. His first bout with the older boxer ended as a draw. Pascal said: "Bernard fought a great fight, he's a great champion, he has a great defense and knows a lot of tricks. These two fights will lead me to the next level, I learned a lot from Bernard and his style."
As for Hopkins, he will go on to fight Chad Dawson next, who’s elimination bout with Adrian Diaconu ended as a unanimous decision as a win for Dawson.
Hopkins claimed the WBC light-heavyweight title after defeating his 28 year old opponent, Jean Pascal. Hopkins boxing career spans more than three decades, in which he has won 52 fights and lost only five in during this time, according to SB Nation.
Last night at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Hopkins won the IBO and Ring Magazine titles from Pascal, who had successfully defended them five times before his match with Hopkins. Hopkins is now the oldest boxer to ever take a major world belt. He has replaced this 1994 record achieved by Forman who is only six months younger than Hopkins. Forman’s KO of Michael Moorer awarded him this record.
The early attack on this Philadelphia boxer, changed course as Hopkins started to land more punches, while avoiding many of Pascal’s power punches. Hopkins landed a number of heavy right-hands on his Canadian opponent which ultimately worked in awarding him the win.
Early in the fight, Hopkins stayed with his usual form of taking it easy while sizing up the rhythm of the fight. Pascal came out aggressive throwing the hard shots and landed one early on that appeared to hurt Hopkins. In their first bout Hopkins was knocked down twice, during last nights fight he managed to stay on his feet and avoided too much damage. It wasn’t until round five that things changed for Hopkins when he started firing off his straight right hand and frequently landing it on Pascal, causing Pascal to fade. Pascal was unable to make the adjustment to avoid this shot through the rest of the fight.
Hopkins dropped to do press-ups before the seventh round, taunting his younger opponent. After the 12th round, each of the judges had Hopkins ahead on points with the cards reading 115-113, 116-112, 115-114. Hopkins said “I didn’t feel like 46 tonight, I felt more like 36,” Hopkins said after the fight. Hopkins said he thought that everyone enjoyed themselves and that he thought it was exciting.
Pascal admitted that his two bouts with Hopkins has taught him a lesson. His first bout with the older boxer ended as a draw. Pascal said: "Bernard fought a great fight, he's a great champion, he has a great defense and knows a lot of tricks. These two fights will lead me to the next level, I learned a lot from Bernard and his style."
As for Hopkins, he will go on to fight Chad Dawson next, who’s elimination bout with Adrian Diaconu ended as a unanimous decision as a win for Dawson.
