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Bernard Hopkins Makes History
By Defeating Jean Pascal In Montreal
By Jeff Emond Jeffrey
Montreal, Quebec, Canada – Gym Promotion along with Golden
Boy Promotion held Dynasty II, arguably the biggest card
since Roberto Duran fought Sugar Ray Leonard in the Olympic
stadium in 1980. On this night, eight thrilling fights had
been presented in front of the biggest crowd for a boxing
match in the history of the Bell Center, 17,660 fans. Many
were there to see the much anticipated main-event of the
evening, the rematch between Bernard Hopkins and Jean
Pascal. On December 2010 in Quebec City, the majority draw
result did not either both of them.
Bernard Hopkins versus Jean Pascal
In the light heavyweight division, the twelve round main
event featured The Executioner, Bernard Hopkins ( 51-5-2, 32
KO’s ) of Philadelphia, Pennylvania, USA against Jean Pascal
(26-1-1, 16 KO’s ) from Laval, Quebec, Canada. This fight
was for Pascal WBC and IBO light heavyweight titles and also
for the vacant WBC Diamond light heavyweight championship.
Notable personalities in attendance were IBF super
middleweight champion, Lucian Bute, former WBC super
middleweight champion, Eric Lucas, Adonis ’’Superman’’
Stevenson, Pier Olivier Coté and UFC pound for pound best,
George St-Pierre.
Bernard Hopkins is indeed a legend. He is the longest
reigning middleweight champion in history, eleven years with
twenty title defences. He holds victories over some of the
best like John David Jackson, Glen Johnson, Felix Trinidad,
Oscar De La Hoya, Antonio Tarver, Kelly Pavlik, Roy Jones Jr
and the list goes on. But this time, it was for more then
adding another good fighter to his résumé. It was about
making history. The Executioner wanted to break George
Foreman’s record as the oldest athelte to become world
champion. Before reaching his goal, Hopkins had to win
decisively over Jean Pascal, a young and hungry champion
fighting in his own backyard. Not an easy task. Pascal has
done much in his young career, winning over Kingley Ikeke,
Esteban Camou and held his own with The Cobra, Carl Froch.
He also took Adrian ’’the Shark’’ Diaconu WBC title and beat
him a second time, defeated former WBA light heavyweight
champion Sylvio Branco. Most importantly, Pascal remains the
first man to defeat former two time champion Chad Dawson.
Who would win this contest? Difficult to say.
In the two first rounds both fighters were cautious,
studying each other. Pascal didn’t want to start too fast,
like he did on their first encounter. It was a battle of the
jab in the center of the ring. At the end of second round,
Pascal seemed to have a slight edge by countering Hopkins
offensive with two left hooks headshots.
In the third round, B-HOP double-up on the jab, while Pascal
retaliated with a perfect left hand that shook Hopkins in
the neutral corner. Hopkins was able to land two right hands
and Pascal hold on.
In the fourth round, Hopkins is beginning to build momentum
with his jabs. The Left hooks of Hopkins are starting to
make their marks, but Pascal finish the round very strong
with a flurry on the Philadelphia fighter.
In the fifth round, some holding and hitting behind the
heads by both fighters occurred, but I didn’t take away
anything from the excitement of this championship bout. Good
attacks by Pascal on the ropes, combining right and left
hands power shots. In this fight, Pascal determination could
not be question.
Sixth round action. The Executioner starts strongly with at
the bell with a solid overhand right on the champion’s chin.
Hopkins sustains his attacks for the most part of the round
and finish it with a huge left hook that rattle Pascal. Once
again, the champion seemed to tired in the the middle of a
fight.
Just second before starting the seven round, Hopkins is
doing push ups to insult Pascal lack of conditioning in
championship matches. Hopkins continues his offensives with
sizzling left hooks on the body and head of Pascal. At this
point of the fight, B-Hop is now in control as he land a
short right that wable his opponent. Pascal tries hard to
fight back, but a lot of his shots are missing is target.
In the eight and ninth rounds. Pascal rallies his energy and
comes back with solid rights hands as Hopkins fires back
with his owns. At the end of this round, the more experience
fighter his keeping his adversary on the back on the ropes.
Controversy in round number ten. Hopkins hurt the tired
champion with a powerful right, both gloves of Pascal
touched the canvas but referee, Ian John-Lewis calls it a
slip. Moments later, B-Hop land another right that rocks
Pascal as he touched the floor with his glove again and once
more the referee call it a slip. But no one could question
Hopkins control over the fight in this round.
In round number eleven. The Executioner continues his game
plan and put more and more pressure on the hometown fighter
with recurrency, hurting him with combinations.
In the final round of this thrilling main event. Hopkins
quickly start with a strong straight right hand followed by
a left hook. Like a true champion, Pascal comes back with a
strong right hook and gets energy from the Montreal crowd
cheering for him and hurt B-Hop with it. Both fighters gave
all they had until the end of the final bell.
After two epic battles, Bernard The Executioner Hopkins wins
a unanimous decision in Montreal and becomes the oldest
fighter to hold a major title in the history of boxing.
Judges Rey Danseco has it 116-112, Anek Hongtongkam had a
score of 115-114 and Guido Cavalleri 115-113 all in favor of
the 46 years old Hopkins. He also improves his record to 52
victories with 32 knockouts, 2 draws and only 5 defeats.
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