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| Sergey Kovalev |
The oldest fighter to ever win a world title, Bernard Hopkins, rode a wave of popularity as he entered his title fight with Sergey Kovalev on Saturday just two months and seven days shy of his 50th birthday.
Facing a younger and supposedly stronger opponent, Hopkins could usually be counted on to use his guile and toughness to offset those strengths.
But this time was different.
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| Bernard Hopkins |
Looking and fighting like a 49-year-old, Hopkins was easily beaten to the punch and overwhelmed by the hard-punching Kovalev, dropping a unanimous decision and barely holding on to survive the 12th round Saturday in a light heavyweight unification bout at Boardwalk Hall before an announced crowd of 8,545.
Kovalev (26-0-1, 23 knockouts) won by scores of 120-107, 120-107 and 120-106 to win Hopkins’ IBF and WBA title and retain his own WBO belt. Hopkins was dropped in the first round and nearly stopped in the 12th, the first time he would have lost a fight by being counted out.
But Hopkins finished the fight on his feet — barely — again showing the toughness that has marked his incredible career.
“I think now it’s time that Hopkins give younger guys a chance,” Kovalev said in the ring afterward.
Hopkins had previously vanquished fighters he wasn’t supposed to beat, topping Felix Trinidad Jr., Kelly Pavlik and Antonio Tarver when few gave him a chance.
And while Boardwalk Hall was the venue where Hopkins beat Pavlik and Tarver, Hopkins couldn’t pull of the same magic trick on Saturday against an opponent who stuck to his game plan and whose power seemed to give Hopkins pause.
“He didn’t let me fight my fight,” Hopkins said. “He fought a good fight and stuck to his game plan and he’s going to be around for a long time. I did more than anyone expected.”
But Hopkins wouldn’t say if he’s done with the sport. “I will think about it,” Hopkins said.
You need some rest man!Labels: bernard hopkins, boxing championship, sergey kovalev, wba, wbo