Bernard Hopkins will prove ignorant critics wrong once again

By Boxing News - 10/17/2011 - Comments

By Byron Wallin: I have been reading articles from this very site in sheer disbelief since the early hours of Sunday morning here in the UK.

On Saturday night the real WBC light heavyweight world champion Bernard Hopkins (52-6-2, 32 KO’s) faced off against the gifted former light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson (31-1, 18 KO’s) in what appeared to this writer to be a mouth watering clash between a timeless legend of boxing and probably the most naturally talented fighter in the division.

Tragically, what transpired was a cataclysmic disappointment for fans across the globe and yet again what was once the most beloved and exciting sport in existence, was marred with controversy at its highest level for the second time in as many months.
However, what happened this past Saturday should not be blamed on the fighters involved. All Knowledgeable boxing fans are aware that the ‘Executioner ‘is an old master of rough house boxing tactics (the man learnt his trade inside the stone walls of prison let us not forget). Therefore, it would be unfair to entirely blame ‘Bad Chad’ for trying to live up to his nickname by responding in kind. What proceeded was an awkward fall, and it is clear for anyone not blinded by biased to see that Hopkins initially impacts the floor on his shoulder, which causes the injury some writers are desperate to claim as faked. The referee clearly failed to keep a clear head, and awarded a shocking TKO decision to Chad. This writer hopes common sense will prevail and this decision will be overturned and replaced with a no contest.
This was all extremely unfortunate. However, in the days since the event writers are trying to claim absurdities such as ‘Hopkins quit’, ‘Hopkins was too slow’, Hopkins was being dominated’ Hopkins looked ancient’, and most comical of all ‘is this the end for Bernard Hopkins’. It has been like watching a circus of boxing writer’s amateur hour! A World Championship fight is contested over twelve rounds, and this one had yet to go two. Also, former champion Jean Pascal had Bernard hurt and on the floor before this stage of their fight, and Hopkins fought back to earn a draw in a fight many people saw him winning. In their rematch Hopkins dominated winning a clear unanimous decision. So by what logic have writers come to the conclusion that a second round accidental injury has spelled the end of Bernard Hopkins?
Finally, styles make fights in boxing that is an undisputed fact. However, what is also factual is that Hopkins in defeating Pascal, beat a man that dominated and stopped (albeit by a cut) Chad Dawson. Furthermore, those who know boxing also know that Bernard is a notoriously slow starter who often gives away early rounds in order to work out his opponents and make the necessary tactical adjustments in order to prevail.

It may have been the case that Hopkins had got that little bit too old and that Chad would have won an easy twelve round decision. However, show some respect to a near 47 year old Legend of the sport some claim to know, a man who has never been KO’d or TKO’d. A man who was meant to be all washed up over ten years ago, and proved doubters wrong by Knocking out a pound for pound great in Tito Trinidad, and has strengthened that legacy countless times since.

Twitter: @ByronWallin



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