The Ship has landed: Bernard Hopkins Defends his Title.
By Eliezer Garcia, RCM Boxing Correspondent
Atlantic City, NJ (October 27th, 2013)—Bernard Hopkins (54-6-2, 32 KOs) steps into the ring just 3 months away from turning 49, to defend his Light Heavyweight title. In one of Bernard’s most exciting fights in recent years, B-Hop was forced to brawl against mandatory challenger Karo Murant.
Bernard Hopkins at 48 was more then up for the challenge. Engaging in exciting exchanges with the 30 year old, brawler. Coming into the fight Bernard had stated that he needed a knock out and he wanted a knock out. Considering the fact the last opponent Hopkins knocked out was against the golden boy Oscar De La Hoya, about more then a decade ago. Although the knock out didn’t happen, he was well ahead on the judge’s score cards, who had him 117-110, and 119-108.
“The plan was to let the dog follow the bone into the dark alley,” Hopkins said. “He doesn’t know what he’s about to get into, but he’s waiting. You stalk him. He doesn’t know what he has gotten himself into.”
Hopkins, managed to take control of the fight in the second half. Bernard did everything he could to frustrate the former champion, even went as far as kissing Murant in the fifth round after he turned around in a clinch. Murat tried to retaliate by landing big blows in the seventh round. Unfortunately, he played right into the Hopkin’s plan. Bernard ended the round with a big right that hurt Murant.
In the Eighth round, Hopkins got away with a few combinations causing a cut over Murant’s left eye. Bernard beat him physically and mentally, as he walked over to Murant’s corner taunting them to stop the fight.
“I was telling his people to stop the fight,” Hopkins said. “He was cut and he wasn’t going to win the fight. I was using psychology, saying they should stop the fight, but it didn’t work.”
Murant In the final round had no answers but to respond with two low blows, and also hitting him on the break. To add on to his frustration, he attempted to even head butt Bernard.
Bernard did not seem his age at all in this fight. He has now changed his nickname to “The Alien” because aliens don’t age and neither does Bernard Hopkins. B-hop continues to break the record for oldest fighter to defend a title every time he steps into the ring. When asked what he sees in his future Bernard Stated he is willing to fight anyone including the P4P king.
“Floyd is the best boxer on the planet for the last 10 years. That’s a big challenge for me, and I like challenges like that. I’d definitely do it. I could make 160.”
The spaceship has landed, and Bernard Hopkins is here to stay.
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