Bernard Hopkins entered the record books last Saturday at the Bell Centre in Montreal as his expereince served lead him to a unanimous decision victory over former WBC light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal. Hopkins at age 46 broke the record set by George Forman when he defeated Michael Moore in 1994 to become world heavyweight champion (Foreman was 45).
In typical Hopkins fashion, the first frame of the fight belonged to the former champion Pascal who took advantage of his youth being being the busier fighter. Hopkins would pop Pascal in the third with a overhand right that momentarily stoped Pascal. Then in the fourth Pascal would legitimately hurt Hopkins with a powerful hook. It was a feeling that Hopkins had not felt nor fans had seen in some years. Hopkins though, with great defense was able to survive and from the fifth round on, took control of the fight. Pascal, whose punch output significantly went down after the first four rounds had no answer never landing more than two shots on Hopkins in succession.
Pascal did spend alot of the time working in rabbit punches and slipped on two occasions from the momentum of his own punches. When it came time to the twelfth, Hopkins had come out ahead on judges scorecards and as victory seemed assured Pascal landed a huge right hook than landed right on the chin. Hopkins was in serious trouble once more as Pascal attempted to pounce for the kill. Hopkins, who was backed onto the ropes was sly and moved his way out and immediately grabbed Pascal. Oddly Pascal did not press further, as one more big punch from him certainly would of ended the fight. With the final bell closing the fight, all three judges scored the bout 115-113, 116-112, 115-114 for a unanimous and history making win for Bernard Hopkins.
In other bouts:
Chad Dawson def. Adrian Diaconu via unanimous decision (117-111, 118-110, 116-112)
Kevin Bizier def. Mauro Lucero via KO in R5.
Eleider Alvarez def. David Whittom via unanimous decision (40-36 , 40-36,40-36)
Michael Zewski def. Ruben Galvan via KO in R3 (1:44)
Nicholson Poulard def. Frankie Santos via unanimous decision (100-90,100-90,100-90)
Didier Bence def. Dwayne Storey via TKO in R2 (1:38)
