46-year-old Bernard Hopkins won a twelve round unanimous decision over WBC light heavyweight champ Jean Pascal to become the oldest man to win a world title, breaking the record of George Foreman. Big George was 45 years, 10 months old when he stopped Michael Moorer in ten rounds to win the heavyweight title in 1994.
Hopkins-Pascal was an immediate rematch of their December 18 meeting in which Pascal retained his title by a controversial majority draw. Hopkins was again on enemy turf as both bouts took place not far from Pascal's adopted hometown of Laval, Quebec.
As in the first bout, Pascal had some early success but couldn't match the ring generalship and activity level of the veteran Hopkins. Pascal briefly staggered Hopkins in rounds four and twelve, but Hopkins easily recovered each time. Pascal is a powerful athlete but not a particularly skilled boxer and looked amateurish as Hopkins took him to school.
Scores were 116-112, 115-113 and 115-114, all for Hopkins.
Punch stats favored Hopkins, who landed 131 of 409 punches (32%) to 70 of 377 (19%) for Pascal.
Hopkins was remarkably fresh and unmarked after the fight and said he intends to fight until he's 50. Next up could be a return trip to Canada to face super middleweight champ Lucian Bute or a mandatory defense against former light heavyweight champ Chad Dawson, who won a workmanlike unanimous decision over Adrian Diaconu on the undercard in his first bout with Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward in his corner.
How does Hopkins' win rank against some of the other great individual accomplishments of professional athletes in their mid-forties and beyond? Vote in our poll.
Comments
Mr. Hopkins is a marvel and an inspiration to those of us on the backside of life. His career shows that the years weigh differently on different people. No one ever really knew how old the great Archie Moore was or Satchel Paige; they tried to hide their real ages. But Bernard Hopkins and George Foreman before him, certainly let us all know. I would not be surprised if Mr. Hopkins does fulfill his promise to fight and be champion until he is 50.
While Mr. Hopkins is the one in a thousand individuals who can perform at a high level after 40; in the sport of boxing I don’t think we should encourage boxers to think “if he can do it why not me?” The type of punishment the officials (matchmakers, promoters, managers and even bad refs) allow to be inflicted on older overmatched fighters is very dangerous. Past glories and remembered skills draw crowds do not protect old fighters. How long is the Roy Jones Jr. fiasco going to be allowed to continue?
“Buddy G” is exactly correct and on target. Indeed, Mr. Hopkins is almost unique, and older fighters should not be encouraged or even allowed to risk their health just to satisfy crowds or promoters. I would even suggest that medical testing be more elaborate for older fighters, just to make sure they are well enough to fight. Roy Jones should really know better, and his risk taking is getting very close to a death wish, unfair to himself, his opponents and the sport.
Donald and Buddy G certainly know their stuff.Enlightened and educational comments by both.I enjoy learning from fans with such avid interest and obvious experience.