Bernard Hopkins
Bernard Hopkins | |
|---|---|
| Born | Bernard Humphree Hopkins Jr January 15, 1965 |
| Nationality |  American |
| Other names | The Executioner B-Hop |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Light-Heavyweight Middleweight |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 58 |
| Wins | 51 |
| Wins by KO | 32 |
| Losses | 5 |
| Draws | 1 |
| No contests | 1 |
Bernard Hopkins, known as the Executioner (born January 15, 1965, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American boxer. He is known for his ten year reign as middleweight world champion in which he successfully defended his title a record 20 times. He is the first fighter to retain all 4 major boxing governing body belts including the Ring Magazine belt in the same fight. In addition to being an active boxer, he is also a minority partner with Golden Boy Promotions.
Background
Born to Bernard Hopkins Jr. and his wife Sue. Bernard grew up in the Raymond Rosey projects with his family. Hopkins turned to crime early in his life, by the age of thirteen he was mugging people and had been stabbed three times. At seventeen Hopkins was sentenced to 18 years in Graterford Prison for nine felonies. While in prison he witnessed rapes and the murder of another inmate in an argument over a pack of cigarettes, but also discovered his passion for boxing. After serving almost five years, Hopkins was released from prison in 1988 and decided to use boxing as an escape from his previous life, and converted to Islam.[1] While leaving the prison for the final time, the warden told Hopkins he'd "see [Hopkins] again when you wind up back here," to which Hopkins replied "I ain't ever coming back here." [2]
Professional career
He immediately joined the professional boxing ranks as a light heavyweight, losing his debut on October 11, 1988, in Atlantic City, New Jersey to Clinton Mitchell. After a sixteen-month layoff, he resumed his career as a middleweight, winning a unanimous decision over Greg Paige at the Blue Horizon on February 22, 1990.
Between February 1990 and September 1992, Hopkins scored 20 wins without a loss. He won 15 of those fights by knockout, 11 coming in the first round.
Winning the IBF middleweight championship
Jones abandoned the middleweight ranks in 1994, and the IBF came again knocking at Hopkins's door on December 17 of that year, matching him with Segundo Mercado in Mercado's hometown of Quito, Ecuador. Mercado knocked Hopkins down twice before Hopkins rallied late and earned a draw. This remains the only time Hopkins has ever been knocked down. It has been argued that Hopkins was also not properly acclimated to the altitude of nearly 10,000 feet.[3]
The IBF called for an immediate rematch, and on April 29, 1995, Hopkins became a world champion with a seventh-round technical knockout victory in Landover, Maryland.
In his first title defense he defeated Steve Frank, whom he stopped in twenty-four seconds. By the end of 2000, he had defended the IBF title 12 times without a loss, while beating such standouts as John David Jackson, Glen Johnson (undefeated at the time and later went on to knock out an ageing Roy Jones Jr), Simon Brown, and Antwun Echols.
2001 middleweight unification tournament
The arrival of multiple-division champion Félix Trinidad, a Welterweight into the middleweight ranks set off a series of unification fights between major titleholders. The fights involved in the tournament would be reigning IBF Middleweight Champion, Bernard Hopkins. WBC Middleweight Champion, Keith Holmes. WBA Middleweight Champion, William Joppy. The fourth contestant was former Welterweight & Light Middleweight World Champion and the undefeated Félix Trinidad.
Keith Holmes
On April 14, 2001, Hopkins won a unanimous decision over WBC champion Keith Holmes in New York City. Trinidad, however, knocked out Middleweight mainstay William Joppy in an impressive five rounds.[4] This led to many to believe that Felix Trinidad was simply too much, too strong for Bernard Hopkins.[5]
Felix Trinidad
Then, on September 29, WBA champion Trinidad challenged Hopkins for middleweight unification in Madison Square Garden.
For the first time in many years, Hopkins was an underdog in the betting, which led the confident Hopkins to place a $100,000 bet on himself to win the bout. During promotion for the bout, Hopkins caused huge controversy by throwing the Puerto Rico flag on the floor in press conferences in both New York and Puerto Rico, the latter conference leading to a riot in which Hopkins had to be run to safety from the angry mob.[6]
During the fight, Hopkins was on his way to a lopsided decision victory when, in the 12th and final round, he floored Trinidad. Referee Steve Smoger called a halt to the fight after Trinidad's father entered the ring to stop the fight. It was the first loss of Trinidad's career, and it made Hopkins the first undisputed world middleweight champion since Marvin Hagler in 1987. 'The Ring' magazine and the 'World Boxing Hall of Fame' named Hopkins as the 2001 Fighter of the Year.
Undisputed middleweight champion
He defended the undisputed title six times. Hopkins bested Carl Daniels on February 2 surpassing Carlos Monzon's division record of 14 defenses, 2002, by tenth-round technical knockout; Morrade Hakkar on March 29, 2003, by eighth-round TKO; William Joppy on December 13, 2003, by unanimous decision; and Robert Allen on June 5, 2004, also by unanimous decision.
Oscar De La Hoya
In the highest-paying fight of his career, Hopkins fought six-division titleholder Oscar de la Hoya, another welterweight for the undisputed middleweight championship on September 18, 2004, in Las Vegas. They fought at a catchweight of 158 lbs, two pounds below the middleweight limit of 160 lbs.[7] Hopkins won the bout by knockout in the ninth round with a left hook to the body and thus became the first boxer ever to unify the titles of all four major sanctioning bodies. At the time of the stoppage, Hopkins was ahead on two of the scorecards, with De La Hoya ahead on the other.[8]
In November 2004 de la Hoya invited Hopkins to join his boxing promotional firm, Golden Boy Promotions, as president of its new East Coast chapter.
Reaching number 20 - Howard Eastman
At 40 years old, an age at which most boxers are retired, Hopkins reached the middleweight record of 20 title defenses on February 19, 2005, against ranked #1 WBC Middleweight contender Howard Eastman, the European middleweight champion. Hopkins dominated the fight from start to finish, winning 119-110, 117-111 and 116-112.
Hopkins vs Taylor
In his next fight on July 16, 2005, Hopkins lost his undisputed middleweight championship to Jermain Taylor via a split decision. Hopkins started slowly but came on strong over the final four rounds. Many press row writers scored the fight for Hopkins.[9]. Compubox round-by-round punch stats showed Taylor outscoring Hopkins 6-5-1 in total punches. Hopkins out landed Taylor in power punches 78-50.
On December 3, 2005, Hopkins lost his rematch against Jermain Taylor by unanimous decision. All three judges scored the fight 115-113 for Taylor.
Compubox statistics indicated that Hopkins landed more overall punches and significantly more power shots over the course of the fight, however these statistics may not accurately reflect the judging as rounds are scored in isolation.
Moving up to light heavyweight — Antonio Tarver
Following his two losses to Jermaine Taylor, Hopkins at 41 decided not to retire and made the decision to jump two weight divisions to face off against The Ring light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver on June 10, 2006. Going into the fight, Tarver was a 3-to-1 favorite and had been the first man ever to TKO Roy Jones Jr. Many now placed Tarver among the sports top competitors. He was constantly ranked in the P4P rankings. However, Bernard Hopkins picked up a lopsided unanimous decision, scoring 118-109 on all three judges scorecards.
Antonio Tarver also lost a $250,000 bet with Hopkins, after he failed to stop Hopkins in the first six rounds.[10]
Return in 2007 - Winky Wright
On July 21, 2007, at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Hopkins defended The Ring light heavyweight championship against former undisputed junior middleweight champion Winky Wright. During the weigh-in, Hopkins shoved Wright with an open-hand to the face, igniting a brawl between both fighters' entourages.[11] Hopkins was fined $200,000 for instigating the brawl.[12] Hopkins prevailed with a unanimous decision victory by scores of 117-111, 117-111 and 116-112.[13]
Joe Calzaghe
On April 19, 2008, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Hopkins lost The Ring light heavyweight championship to Joe Calzaghe by split decision ((116-111 and 115-112 - Calzaghe. 114-113 - Hopkins). Hopkins started the fight well, dropping Calzaghe in the first round and using his ring savvy to confuse the challenger. However as the fight wore on, Calzaghe adapted to Hopkins ring tactics and as Hopkins tired, Calzaghe began to rack up rounds winning the fight with a late rally.[14]
Kelly Pavlik
On October 18, 2008, Hopkins met middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik in a non-title fight at a catch-weight of 170 lbs. Fans and pundits alike felt that knockout king Kelly Pavlik would become the first man to knock Hopkins out. Pavlik was a 4-1 betting favourite heading into the contest. On the night of the fight, Hopkins turned back the clock to produce a performance he claimed to be the best of his career winning a unanimous decision (117-109, 119-106, 118-108) over the undefeated Pavlik. Hopkins prepared for this fight in the late summer heat at his second home , Danny Hawk's "World Famous" Normandy Gym in Miami Beach, FL.
Recent fights
After Tomasz Adamek knocked out Johnathon Banks of ESPN's Friday Night Fights, Hopkins immediately told ESPN's Dan Rafael that he was interested in moving up to cruiserweight to fight him, wishing to become the Ring Magazine cruiserweight champion of the world.
During the Ricky Hatton vs. Manny Pacquiao media conferences before their fight on May 3, 2009, Bernard Hopkins stated he would be "interested" in a proposed fight with British super middleweight champion Carl Froch.
Enrique Ornelas
On December 2, 2009, Bernard Hopkins fought in his home city of Philadelphia for the first time since 2003 beating Enrique Ornelas via 12-round unanimous decision (120-109, 119-109 & 118-110) in what served as a tune-up bout for the 44-year old Hopkins who had not fought since his October 18, 2008 12-round upset victory over undisputed middleweight champion, Kelly Pavlik.
The bout was supposed to be a tune-up for a scheduled March 13, 2010 rematch with Roy Jones, Jr. The rematch was later postponed as a result of Jones, Jr. falling to a first round technical knockout loss to Australian, Danny Green.
Rematch with Roy Jones
Hopkins and old foe Roy Jones Jr. agreed to fight in a rematch on April 3, 2010 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The two boxers fought again 17 years after their first bout in 1993. Hopkins defeated Jones by a unanimous decision in a 12-round bout marred by illegal blows and a skirmish at the end of the sixth round involving ring entourage, the referee and security guards. Judges Don Trella and Glenn Trowbridge scored it 117-110 for Hopkins, while Dave Moretti favored him 118-109. The Associated Press had it 119-108, scoring 11 of 12 rounds for Hopkins.[15]
He then challenged WBA Heavyweight Champion David Haye who had successfully defended his title against John Ruiz.[16] Following Hopkins challenge, Haye ruled out the fight stating Bernard was only looking for a payday[17]. Hopkins later stated his intentions to fight Lucian Bute following Bute's third round technical knockout victory over Edison Miranda. Golden Boy Promotions also tried to approach retired boxer Joe Calzaghe for a potential rematch in 2010, but the latter reportedly turned the offer down.[18]
Hopkins Vs Pascal
Hopkins has secured a fight with Jean Pascal for the WBC,IBO and The Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight Championship on December 18th 2010 in Canada which will be televised on Showtime as a non PPV bout.
Professional boxing record
See also
- List of IBF world champions
- List of WBA world champions
- List of WBO world champions
- List of WBC world champions
- Ring Magazine pound for pound
- Bernard Hopkins vs. Joe Calzaghe
References
- ^ Steve Bunce (2001-11-11) The forgotten prince Guardian. Retrieved on 2009-07-29.
- ^ Duran, Coyote. "Still Waiting for Bernard Hopkins to Grow Old?" 15 July 2005.
- ^ Rafael, Dan (2008-01-15). "Can Jones be serious?". ESPN. Retrieved 2008-08-23.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Boxing, BBC (2001-05-13). "Triumphant Trinidad stops Joppy". BBC Boxing. Retrieved 2008-06-03.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Fans, Boxing (2001-09-09). "How far can Felix go?". BBC. Retrieved 2008-06-03.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ http://www.latinosportslegends.com/2001/Trinidad_Hopkins_riot_in_PR-071201.htm
- ^ http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Aug-21-Sat-2004/sports/24590920.html
- ^ "Body blow". CNN. September 19, 2004. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
- ^ Mulvaney, Kieran (2005-10-01). "Lacy, Corrales, Common Foe Joppy Predict Outcome". ESPN. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Rec, Box (2006-06-10). "Antonio Tarver vs. Bernard Hopkins Fight News/Stats". BoxRec.com. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
- ^ Willis, George (2007-07-21). "Hopkins, Wright Brawl at Weigh-in". New York Post. Retrieved 2008-06-03.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Hopkins fined $200,000 for weigh-in scuffle with Wright". ESPN.com. 2007-08-17. Retrieved 2008-06-03.
- ^ Rafael, Dan (2007-07-23). "Hopkins keeps title with entertaining win over Wright". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2008-06-03.
- ^ "Calzaghe defeats Hopkins!". Orange United Kingdom. Retrieved 2008-06-03.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=5054148
- ^ "Hopkins beats Jones and eyes Haye". BBC News. April 4, 2010. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
- ^ "Haye dismisses Hopkins challenge". BBC News. April 5, 2010. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
- ^ Vester, Mark (June 3, 2010). "Joe Calzaghe Turns Down Bernard Hopkins Rematch". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved June 3, 2010.
- ^ "Bernard Hopkins's career boxing record". Boxrec.com. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
External links
- Boxing record for Bernard Hopkins from BoxRec (registration required)
- 1965 births
- African American boxers
- American boxers
- Boxers from Pennsylvania
- IBF Champions
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- People from New Castle County, Delaware
- People from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- WBA Champions
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