LeedsLad

Bernard Hopkins- 48-5-1 (32KOs)

Bernard Hopkins, born in Philadelphia on January 15th 1965, is an American professional boxer and recognized as the current #1 Light-Heavyweight in the world. At a young age Hopkins became involved in crime and gang activity on the streets of Philadelphia. From 1984 through to 1989 Hopkins spent time in jail, where he decided to turn his life around and take up boxing professionally.

In October 1988, Bernard Hopkins made his professional debut at Light-Heavyweight against a guy named Clinton Mitchell. Despite losing an MD over 4 rounds, Hopkins hooked up with trainer Bouie Fisher. 16 months later Bernard entered the ring again, this time at Middlweight, winning a 4-round UD over Greg Paige. Between early 1990 and mid-1992 Hopkins worked his way through the Middleweight ranks fighting journeyman. He went onto win his next 20 fights, 15 by KO, and also pick up a minor title, the USBA Middleweight championship.

In May 1993, Bernard Hopkins had his first shot at a world title, fighting for the IBF Middleweight belt. He fought undefeated superstar Roy Jones Jr, who would go onto become a true legend of the sport. In a largely uneventful fight, Hopkins came up short losing a clear UD by the score of 116-112 on all three judges cards. After four minor fights for the USBA Middleweight title, Hopkins got another chance to fight for a world title. He travelled to Ecuador to fight Segundo Mercado for the vacant IBF belt. Hopkins was knocked down in both the 5th and 7th rounds across the 12 rounds, which cost him the win and the fight was scored a draw. The final scores were 114-111, 114-116, 113-113. Four months later back in the USA, the two would meet again in a fight which was much more one-sided. Hopkins dominated throughout, TKO'ing Mercado in the 7th round.

Between 1996 and 2000, Hopkins strung together an impressive list of eleven defences. He beat quality fighters such as Johnson, Allen, Echols and Vanderpool. In April 2001, Hopkins fought in his first unification bout against WBC title holder Keith Holmes. He dominated the fight over 12 rounds and won a lopsided UD. Hopkins was the IBF & WBC Middleweight champion, and then accepted the challenge of WBA title holder and P4P fighter Felix 'Tito' Trinidad. This fight took place at Madison Square Garden in September 2001. Tensions grew in the lead up to the fight, with Hopkins stamping on a PR flag in San Juan, causing outrage. Despite Hopkins being the massive underdog, the fight was totally one-sided. Hopkins delivered a master-class of a performance, exposing the one-dimensional Trinidad and winning almost every round before knocking Tito down and stopping him in the 12th and final round. Hopkins was named Ring Magazine's 2001 Fighter of the Year.

After a couple of soft defences of his titles, Hopkins fought William Joppy in December 2003. In a terribly one-sided bout, Hopkins destroyed the world-class Joppy over 12 rounds to win a very wide UD. After another lopsided decision victory over Robert Allen, Hopkins fought in another major unification fight against WBO title holder Oscar De La Hoya. De La Hoya was in too deep, and Hopkins had little trouble with him. He was ahead on two of the three judges scorecards before stopping Oscar with a big body shot in the 9th round. Alot of critics questioned the legitimacy of the victory, claiming Oscar fell to a 'phantom punch'. Bernard defended his title's once more with a points victory over British fighter Howard Eastman.

In July 2005, Bernard Hopkins had made 20 successful defences of his Middleweight crown. He was considered one of the best P4P fighters in the sport. He squared up against mandatory challenger and Olympic superstar Jermain 'Bad Intentions' Taylor. In a close, tactical battle both guys had there moments. The general opinion being Taylor was more active, throwing more punches whereas Bernard landed the more effective shots. In a close fight, The judges scored the bout 115-113, 115-113 & 112-116 in favour of the challenger. Hopkins felt outraged by the decision, and in December 2005 the rematch took place at 160lbs. The second fight followed a similiar pattern to the first, however all three judges were in agreement this time round that Jermain Taylor won the fight 115-113 on all three scorecards.

After this disappointment, Hopkins decided to step up in two weight classes and challenge Light-Heavyweight supremo Antonio Tarver in June 2006. Hopkins came into the fight as massive underdog, with most people expecting Tarver to win the fight clearly. Just as in the case with Trinidad five years earlier, Hopkins put on a master class to defeat Antonio Tarver over 12 rounds. The final three scorecards all read 118-109 in favour of Bernard Hopkins. Hopkins took a year away from the sport, before fighting Ronald 'Winky' Wright in July 2007 at 170lbs. In a very uneventful fight, Hopkins threw few combinations whereas Winky looked very uncomfortable with the extra 10lbs. Hopkins did enough to win the fight and got the decision, with the scorecards being 117-111, 117-111 & 116-112, which does seem a bit wide.

On April 19th, Hopkins returned to the ring once more to fight undefeated Super-Middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe. Hopkins started fast, catching Calzaghe with a sharp right-hand counter knocking him down. Hopkins took an early lead, but Calzaghe adapted his gameplan and started to take control of the fight. As the later rounds came, Hopkins punch output decreased dramatically and Calzaghe took control of the fight. The judges scored the fight to Calzaghe by split-decision, with the scorecards reading 114-113, 111-116 & 112-115. Hopkins was very angry about the decision, convinced that he won the fight.

Bernard Hopkins stated immediatly after the fight that he would retire, however he has already decided to comeback for one more fight later this year, against undefeated Middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik. The fight will take place in October, most likely at a catchweight of 170lbs.

Updated by LeedsLad (07/23/08)

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