Bernard Hopkins Wins IBF Light Heavyweight Championship At 48
The Champ is here… The Champ is here.
Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins proved last night that age is nothing but a number as he became the oldest boxer to win a major title, scoring a 12-round unanimous decision over Tavoris Cloud to claim the IBF light heavyweight championship.
The 48-year-old Bernard Hopkins outshined his 31-year old opponent and broke his own record. Previously he defeated Jean Pascal for the WBC light heavyweight title on May 21, 2011. Prior to Hopkins, George Foreman held the record when he defeated Michael Moorer in 1994 for the word heavyweight championship.
The epic battle was held at Jay-Z’s Barclays Center in Brooklyn. After the fight, Bernard Hopkins said,
“I have to throw a lot of substance (into fights). I’m fighting old school in a new world. (I) have to learn to adapt to what (the judges) are looking for. We knew a 30-year-old guy was not going to run from a 48-year-old guy.”
But its not over for “The Executioner” who has vowed that he won’t fight past 50. He did issue a challenge to the young bucks out there though.
“I’m motivated to do it. I don’t believe anybody in the 175(-pound) weight class and possibly the 168(-pound) class can beat me.”
Hopkins record is now 53-6-2.
Congratulations B-Hop.
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