Bernard Hopkins lost to white boy Joe Calzaghe on Saturday, April 19, 2008 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada by a 12-round split decision. The score card for Hopkins-Calzaghe read 114-113 Hopkins, 115-112 Calzaghe and 116-111 Calzaghe. Harold Lederman, HBO's unofficial official scored it 116-111 Calzaghe. CompuBox stats showed Hopkins landing 127 of 468 (27 percent) while Calzaghe landed 232 out of 707 punches (33 percent).
The early rounds of the fight went to Hopkins who knocked down Calzaghe with a right to the chin in the 1st round. In the 4th round Calzaghe finally figured Hopkins out and got into the fight. Calzaghe's high volume punching had Ol' Popkins slowing down by round nine and the last two rounds Hopkins was visibly tired despite having milked an alledged low blow for 3 minutes in the 10th round. Overall it was an fight ugly marred by Hopkins' holding and mauling.
| Fight | Location | Date | Boxing Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hopkins vs TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins
Bernard Hopkins is the longest reigning middleweight title holder and also holds the distinction of most successful title defenses as a middleweight champion, a record setting 20 times. In 2001 Hopkins was awarded Ring Magazine Fighter of The Year and World Boxing Hall of Fame Fighter of the Year.
Hopkins greatest wins include Felix Trinidad, Oscar De La Hoya and Antonio Tarver. Bernard Hopkins vs Felix Trinidad in 2001 Trindad was down in the 12th round and Trindad's corner throws in the towel. Bernard Hopkins vs Oscar De La Hoya in 2004 Hopkins puts De La Hoya down for count in the 9th round with a left hook to the body. Bernard Hopkins vs Antonio Tarver in 2006 Hopkins gives Tarver an old school boxing lesson. All three judges scored the bout 118-109. Tarver was also down in the 5th round.
In 1993 Hopkins squared off against Roy Jones Jr losing by a 12 round unanimous decision. It was Hopkins second loss in his career. The first was in his debut in 1988. In 2005 Hopkins lost by upset in a 12 round split decision to Jermain Taylor ending Hopkins record setting winning streak. Six months later Taylor gets the nod again. Many doubted that after losing two close decisions to Taylor that Hopkins could rally again. Hopkins proved them all wrong when he fought Antonio Tarver.
On June 10, 2006 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City Hopkins beat Antonio Tarver by a lopsided 12-round unanimous decision also winning recognition as Ring Magazine's Light Heavyweight Champion. Hopkins, 41 years old, working with legendary fitness trainer Mackie Shilstone moved up two weight classes to fight Antonio Tarver at 175 pounds. Tarver, the 3 to 1 favorite was done in round 5 from a Hopkins right.
Hopkins-Wright Weight-in Brawl
On July 20, 2007 at the Friday weigh-in before the fight Hopkins put his right palm on Wright's face and shoved him. Wright shoved back touching off a melee. Hopkins ended up being fined $200,000 by the Nevada Athletic Commission which was 6% of his $3 million purse for his pre-fight fisticuffs.
Hopkins Training at Wild Card
Bernard Hopkins training with Freddie Roach at Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywod before his fight with Winky Wright.
Hopkins won a unanimous decision in a tactical fight over Winky Wright on Saturday, July 21, 2007 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada retaining his Ring Light Heavyweight Champion belt. Hopkins, who retired after winning his bout with Antonio Tarver last June came out of retirement to fight Wright. After the fight Hopkins said he wanted to fight Joe Calzaghe next, at Yankee Stadium never the less.
Bernard Hopkins vs Joe Calzaghe Score Card
