Dawson Defeats Hopkins, Settles the Score

By: RCM Boxing Writer Adam Millican

Saturday night April 28th, 2012 Bernard ‘The Executioner’ Hopkins (52-6-2 32KO) met ‘Bad’ Chad Dawson (31-1-0 17 KO) at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ in a rematch of their October bout from last year. Their first clash was interesting while is lasted, but had a disappointing and controversial ending. Tonight the result was much more definitive. Bernard Hopkins acquitted himself well as the crafty veteran that he is, but Chad Dawson proved that he’s the new ruler of the 175lb division.

The scorecards read 144-144-, 117-111, 117-111 in favor of Chad Dawson.
The fight had a slow start with both fighters feeling each other out in the first round. It was evident early on that Bernard’s reflexes were still intact and that he would not age overnight in the ring. The action went back and forth for the first few rounds.

Dawson displayed superior athleticism and timing. In the fourth round Hopkins and Dawson’s heads collided in an unintentional butt. Dawson had a large cut above his left eye, which started bleeding profusely. Hopkins landed another couple of good punches in the round, but Dawson and his corner did a good job not letting the cut affect the rest of the fight.

The middle and later rounds saw Hopkins fighting like the crafty
veteran that he is, landing some crisp lead rights and using his
infighting skills during clinches. But ultimately, Dawson’s athleticism, footwork, and crisp punching won the day. Bernard fought valiantly but ultimately came up short.

At the postfight interview, Dawson said that he ‘took a lot of headbutts’ . Dawson gave respect to Hopkins but also said that Bernard was ‘a dirty fighter’. ‘He’s a lot younger than what people think he is, I acknowledge that’, said Dawson. ‘I give him all the credit in the world.’ Dawson, when asked who he wants to fight next,
called out Andre Ward and said that he would fight him at either 168 or 175lbs. Bernard Hopkins refused a post fight interview.

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