HOPKINS DEFIES LOGIC

Big fight review - 10th June 2006

By Robert Maher

At forty one years of age and having suffered two consecutive defeats in his most recent bouts, the overwhelming consensus of opinion from so-called experts was that Bernard Hopkins should retire. After all, Hopkins legacy was in-tact after reigning supreme as world middleweight champion for ten years. Despite the public out-cry for his retirement, Bernard 'The Executioner' had other plans. After losing his unified middleweight title to the considerably younger Jermaine Taylor, Hopkins was granted an immediate rematch. Hopkins lost again via close decision and was urged to hang up his gloves. Bernard took time out to consider his options and would later surprise the world by announcing a move up two weight divisions to light-heavyweight. He would challenge IBO light-heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver. Tarver, fresher at 37 yrs and on top of the world since dethroning Roy Jones Jnr in May 2004 with a stunning 2nd round knockout. Jones had been regarded as the best pound for pound fighter of his generation. Roy had won titles in several weight division's from middleweight to heavyweight and will no doubt go down in history as one of the all-time greats.

Hopkins mission was to put on fourteen pounds in weight and defeat the best light-heavyweight in the world. Unsurprisingly Tarver was hot favourite to impressively defeat Bernard and finally end his career. Surely this was too big an ask of Hopkins and he was clearly living in serious denial. The risk to his health and reputation blatantly obvious. Come the evening of June 10th at the 'Boardwalk Hall' Atlantic City, Hopkins would shock the boxing world and defy lofic with a pugilistic masterclass. Bernard looks very focused and physically defined despite bulking up in weight. He proceeds to dominate the fight from the first bell to the last, showing all of his experience and ring craft . The wily veteran proves to be an elusive target for Tarver all night long with text-book boxing. No unorthodox extravagance from this throwback to a bygone era of champions like Jersey Joe Walcott and Archie Moore. The chin is down, the hands are high and the mind focused on the job at hand. Hopkins is slipping and parrying most of Tarver's shots and responding with sneaky accurate counters, his timing and distance gauging impeccable. As early as round three Tarver appears intimidated and apprehensive. In round five Hopkins beautifully evades a big left from Tarver and immediately connects with an over-hand right bang on the chin forcing Tarver to retreat, his glove touching the canvas. Tarver clearly shaken from this brief knock-down survives the remainder of the round as Hopkins remains cool and composed, applying steady pressure. Economic in his offence, Hopkins wastes nothing. Never one to recklessly abandon his defence in pursuit of a stoppage. Tarver would have relished the opportunity to have landed one of his bombs on Hopkins exposed chin. However, Bernard is the consummate professional and would simply not present an open invitation.

Round after round transpires with the challenger outclassing the brash champion. Even in Tarver's own corner his trainer Buddy Mcgirt coaches Tarver on surviving the course as opposed to going for broke. Hopkins finishes strongly and fight observers can be in no doubt of the winner. Tarver, right eye swollen concedes victory to a ring surgeon. Hopkins stuns the fans with a magnificent performance winning a unanimous points decision over twelve rounds to claim the IBO light-heavyweight title. A sweet victory for all of the over-forty's around the world.