The ageless wonder of boxing, Bernard Hopkins took another young student to school this past Saturday at the Pepsi Colisee in Quebec City, Canada. Despite surviving two knockdowns in which he was never really hurt, the WBC light heavyweight strap would still be around the waist of hometown boy Jean Pascal as in two out of three judges ruled the bout even for a majority draw decision. The final scores were 114-112 (Hopkins) 113-113 and 114-114. On the unofficial Fight Hub TV scorecards the fight was scored 114-112 for Hopkins.
“I believe when you put on a show, no matter what I think, the world and the fans will see what they see. It doesn’t matter whether you’re from Canada, but there comes a time, no matter who you are, where you have to say that Bernard fought a hell of a fight and he believe’s he won,” Hopkins commented after the fight. Richard Schaefer head of Golden Boy Promotions was livid at the decision at the post fight press conference, “It’s really a shame, it’s a shame for Canada, it’s a shame for boxing to have a decision like that. That is what is wrong with boxing. It’s a disgrace. We are going to file a protest. The WBC will order an immediate rematch and we will see what other legal remedies we have because this is wrong. This is wrong.”
Hopkins clearly was the winner however you look at it. Which makes it a even more awe inspiring considered that Pascal is 18 years younger and the stronger and harder puncher between the two. Pascal hit Hopkins with a right hand to the ear at the end of round one to score the first knockdown. Hopkins immediately got up and complained to the ref that he was hit in the back of the head. Pascal was finding a home for his left hook early on and connected in a exchange with Hopkins in the third to drop him once more, this time more legitimately than the first.
When round four came, it seemed that Pascal was more than on his way to a dominating win, but the time and tested Hopkins put on another brilliant performance from there on out. He started working to the body, pot shoting hard hooks that immediately dropped the guard of the champion. By round 6, Pascal looked physically tired, no longer controlling the ring nor showing any signs of ring generalship. It was a big hole Hopkins had found himself in but it looked like that he would managed to climb out of it.
“He was gasping for air every time I went to the body,” said Hopkins. “I just kept coming forward throwing punches, throwing punches.”
Surprisingly Pascal’s punch output was lower than the 45 year old Hopkins as he continued to back away from the pressing former middleweight king. With his corner telling him he needed to win the last round and with Hopkins perhaps knowing he needed to close the show strong to win the fight, both fighters exchanged on several occasion to the delight of those in the Pepsi Colisee. Hopkins landed more punches as everything on Pascal’s upper torso was a target. When the bell rang, the champion looked defeated as Hopkins stretched his arms in victory.
“No matter what Jean did, he found a way to adapt to everything,” said Pascal’s cornerman Russ Anber, echoing the sentiments of trainer Marc Ramsey. “He made a great performance and Jean stayed right with him.”
A win would of been historic for Hopkins as he would of become the oldest fighter in history to win a major world title. “George Foreman’s record was really important to me, I love what I do, and winning to me is everything, but tomorrow is new day and people in boxing have short memories, trust me.”
Undercard results:
Paulie Malignaggi def. Michael Lozado via TKO in R6 (2:33)
Daniel Jacobs def. Jessie Orta via TKO in R5
Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin def. Martin Desjardins via KO in R1 (2:53)
Tyson Fury def. Zack Page via unanimous decision
Kevin Bizier def. Ronnie Warrior via RTD in between R3-R4
Eric Martel Bahoeli def. Ruben Rivera via split decision
