Bernard Hopkins Dethrones Jean Pascal To Make History in Montreal

Added on May 23, 2011 by Brian Blake in

Boxing

More than 17,500 fans showed up to the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada to watch their countryman in Jean Pascal once again put his WBC Light Heavyweight title on the line against Bernard Hopkins for the second time in just over six months with the first bout ending in a disputed draw.

Most of the early rounds went to the champion with Hopkins shining in spots to take a secure a round or two in the first half of the fight. Hopkins hit his stride in the sixth frame and never looked back with the exception of a shaky moment where he was buzzed in the final minutes of the fight. The wily veteran remained on his feet to make it to the final bell where the bout went to the scorecards where the judges scored it 116-112, 115-114 and 115-113 all in favor of Hopkins.

SportsBettingWorld.com had it scored 115-113 for Hopkins as well.

Despite the Quebec native not getting the win, fans were a part of a historical feat as the unanimous decision in favor of Hopkins made him the oldest boxer, at the age of 46, to ever win a major world title.

The record was previously held by Big George Foreman who, at the age of 45, knocked out Michael Moorer to regain the World Heavyweight Championship back on November 5, 1994. Hopkins will go down as just over six months older than Foreman as the oldest to win a significant championship.

Said Foreman following the bout, “I was on the edge of my seat every round. It was such an exciting fight. Bernard was the better athlete, the smarter fighter and was in the better condition. Now that a 46 [year-old] has done it, next a 47[year-old], a 48[year-old], a 49[year-old] and a 50 [year-old] will do it, and if somebody does it at 60, then I’ll have to get back in there.”

“[Beating the record] feels great. I did exactly what I wanted to do, which was break this record. I knew it was going to be a tough fight, but I wasn’t going to be denied. You don’t get a chance to do this too often. You are supposed to win titles when you are younger…in your twenties, not when you’re 46,” Hopkins stated after the bout.

A big part of the reason that Hopkins is still around at 46 years young is because of the way he’s preserved and conditioned his body throughout his career and it was clearly evidenced last Saturday night against the 28 year old former champ even going as far as doing push-ups in his corner while waiting for Pascal to get off his stool prior to the seventh round.

“I just felt that I had to show that guy [Pascal] that he was fading and I was growing stronger. I wanted him to see me doing something crazy. I am the king of mind games,” professed Hopkins.

Hopkins, who isn’t known for producing thrilling fights by any stretch of the imagination had the Montreal crowd on its feet several times throughout the fight as he took the younger Pascal to school.

“I have been accused of being boring, but I saved the best for last. I am going to fight like this [with a more exciting style] as long as I am boxing. I believe I am an entertainer. When you are in your last performances, you give it all you’ve got,” said the newly crowned champ.

When Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins turned pro 23 years ago, he did it without an Olympic pegidree, without much fanfare at all for that matter.

Today he stands atop the sport as a legend, his ticket to the Hall of Fame already stamped with the boxing world at his feet.

And if the brash Light Heavyweight Champion is correct, the best is yet to come.

“If you thought tonight was something, you ain’t seen nothing yet.”