Kelly Pavlik vs Bernard Hopkins: Fight Results
Bernard Hopkins Wins Unanimous Decision
Few boxing aficionados expected to hear scores of 119-106, 118-108, and 117-109 in favor of Bernard Hopkins, but that's what happened after twelve rounds of the 43-year-old Hopkins schooling Pavlik, 26, on the sweet science.
Hopkins Gets Vindication
After the scores were announced, Hopkins stood on the ring apron and stared down at press row. Seething with anger and swelling with vindication, Hopkins let it be known, without a word, what he thought of pre-fight press opinion, including that of the author, that he had little chance to win and would likely get knocked out.
Still, Hopkins acknowledged afterward that he had himself to blame for low media expectations. His recent fight with Joe Calzaghe, in which Hopkins lumbered through the last half of the contest, set a low bar for the former two division champ.
Punching Power and Movement
Leading up to the fight, the Pavlik camp counted on Hopkins' inability to match the younger fighter's pace. What they didn't foresee, nor did virtually anyone, was Hopkins' ability to punch first, counterpunch effectively, use lateral movement to keep Pavlik off balance, and finish the fight strong, so strong that the author wondered if Hopkins might knock Pavlik out in round twelve.
Thanks to Hopkins, the world knows what Pavlik, who is returning to the middleweight division to defend his title, cannot do. He cannot move laterally, not with any quickness and balance. Over and over again Hopkins cracked Pavlik with right hands, countering over Pavlik's slow jab. When Pavlik attempted to double his jab in order to negate Hopkins' counter right and set up his own straight right, Hopkins calmly ducked under it, allowing Pavlik's glove to shoot over his left shoulder.
Gaining confidence with each round, Hopkins took to showboating in round seven. Bollo punches and well lubricated combinations left Pavlik standing still, bewildered.
What's Next for Hopkins
What had been known as "The Seniors Tour" in boxing is quickly becoming the most relevant group of fighters between 168 and 175. (Tonight's fight was contracted at 170). The upcoming November 8 showdown between Roy Jones Jr. and Calzaghe is suddenly pregnant with intrigue. Should Calzaghe win, a rematch with Hopkins, who promises to no longer fight "safety first" would be a guaranteed huge gate, especially if it were held in Calzaghe's home country of Wales. Should Jones win, Hopkins will finally get a chance to avenge a 1993 loss, when Jones was in his middleweight prime and Hopkins had yet to discover the legend he would become.
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