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By Scott Shaffer
19/04/2008
Hopkins beaten by "white boy"
Joe Calzaghe W12 Bernard Hopkins... Joe Calzaghe survived a first-round knockdown to defeat Bernard Hopkins via split decision in Las Vegas on Friday. Now 45-0, the Welsh Calzaghe made his first fight in America a success. He is now the reigning world champion in two divisions simultaneously- super middleweight and light heavyweight. The officials scores were 114-113 Hopkins, overruled by 115-112 and 116-111 for Calzaghe. On television, the fight seemed to be a clear victory for Calzaghe, as Compubox saw Calzaghe outlanding Hopkins 232 punches to 127. Hopkins has lost none of his guile or technique but at 43 years old, he couldn't quite keep up with the pace set by Calzaghe. Hopkins took a couple of minutes rest in the tenth round after an accidental low blow by Calzaghe ("it knocked my privates right out my cup," said Hopkins afterwards). Although Calzaghe's victory was deserved, given Hopkins' advanced age, the Philadelphian's showing might have been the more impressive of the two. Certainly, Hopkins performed better inside the ring than outside, where he tastelessly vowed never to lose to a "white boy". Fighting against a younger, stronger, undefeated boxer, Hopkins was not beaten up and has every reason to be proud of his performance. Afterwards, Hopkins, 48-5-1, did not say he was going to retire, and if his economic demands are not too high, he could easily fight on and beat some of the top guys. source: hbo world championship boxing
