By Eric Thomas: WBC light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins (52-6-2, 32 KO’s) was beaten tonight by the younger 29-year-old Chad Dawson (31-1, 18 KO’s) in a second round stoppage at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

The fight was halted in the 2nd round after Dawson lifted up Hopkins, who was leaning on the back of Dawson, and threw the 46-year-old Hopkins on the canvas where he apparently injured his left shoulder during the fall.

The fight was then halted after Hopkins made it clear he was too hurt to continue fighting. However, the referee ruled that it was a technical knockout instead of a no decision. The fight could end up being changed to a no contest upon review by the World Boxing Council. In that case, Hopkins will keep his WBC title and the WBC will likely order a rematch between the two. If this happens, Hopkins will get a second chance to prove himself.

Hopkins wasn’t doing all that well against the faster Dawson and his usual smothering/clinching attack wasn’t working against Dawson like it had against recent opponents Jean Pascal, Roy Jones Jr., Enrique Ornelas and Kelly Pavlik. Dawson was too quick and too athletic for Hopkins in the brief two rounds of the fight.

If I were to make a guess, I’d say this fight will be changed to a no contest. Hopkins is popular and is backed by Golden Boy Promotions, and he was injured from a fall and not a punch.

It might not be in Hopkins best interest to take the rematch. He would be better off moving onto someone better suited for his smothering style. It clearly wasn’t working against Dawson and I can’t see Hopkins having any luck in a rematch.