Bernard Hopkins

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For the basketball player, see Bernard Hopkins (basketball).

Bernard Hopkins
Hopkins in 2018
Born
Bernard Hopkins Jr.

(1965-01-15) January 15, 1965 (age 59)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Other names
  • The Executioner
  • The Alien
  • B-Hop
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)[1]
Reach71 in (180 cm)[1]
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights67
Wins55
Wins by KO32
Losses8
Draws2
No contests2

Bernard Hopkins Jr. (born January 15, 1965) is an American former

professional boxer who competed from 1988 to 2016. He is one of the most successful boxers of the past three decades, having held multiple world championships in two weight classes, including the undisputed middleweight title from 2001 to 2005, and the lineal light heavyweight
title from 2011 to 2012.

Hopkins first became a world champion by winning the vacant

WBA (Super), WBC, Ring magazine and lineal titles. A victory over Oscar De La Hoya for the WBO title in 2004 cemented Hopkins' status as undisputed champion, while also making him the first male boxer to simultaneously hold world titles by all four major boxing sanctioning bodies. In 2001, Hopkins was voted Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America. In 2011, The Ring ranked Hopkins as third on their list of the "10 best middleweight title holders of the last 50 years."[8] As of April 2021, he is ranked by BoxRec as the seventh greatest boxer of all time, pound for pound.[9]

After losing the undisputed title to Jermain Taylor in 2005 and failing to regain it in a rematch the same year, Hopkins achieved further success in 2006 when he moved up to light heavyweight, winning the IBO and Ring titles from Antonio Tarver at 41 years of age. Two defenses of the Ring title were made before a loss to Joe Calzaghe in 2008. Three years later, Hopkins defeated Jean Pascal for the WBC and lineal light heavyweight titles,[10] as well as regaining the Ring title. This made Hopkins the oldest boxer in history to win a world championship, at the age of 46, breaking George Foreman's record set in 1994. Hopkins later broke his own record by winning the IBF light heavyweight title from Tavoris Cloud in 2013, and again in 2014 when he won the WBA (Super) title from Beibut Shumenov, at ages 48 and 49, respectively.[11]

Nicknamed "The Executioner", and later "The Alien", Hopkins was known among observers for his longevity and ability to continue competing successfully at an advanced age. Widely considered one of the greatest boxers of the modern era, he was a highly strategic and defensive boxer known for carrying good speed and power along with counterpunching skills. He credits mastering the boxing fundamentals and a great defense for his longevity in the sport. He was also a very seasoned fighter, being able to take advantage of a wide variety of situations in the ring and implement rough and dirty tactics while fighting on the inside or in a clinch.[12][13][14][15]

In the last years of his active career, Hopkins also became a minority partner with Golden Boy Promotions, with which he still remains post-career.

Early life

Born to Bernard Hopkins Sr. and his wife Shirley, Bernard grew up with his family in the Raymond Rosen housing project in Philadelphia. Hopkins turned to crime early in his life. By the age of thirteen he was mugging people and had been stabbed three times. At seventeen, Hopkins was sentenced to 18 years in Graterford Prison for nine felonies. While in prison he witnessed the murder of another inmate in an argument over a pack of cigarettes, but also discovered his passion for boxing. After serving almost five years, Hopkins was released from prison in 1988. He then decided to use boxing as an escape from his previous life, and converted to Islam.[16] While Hopkins was leaving the prison for the final time, the warden told him he'd "see [Hopkins] again when you wind up back in here", to which Hopkins replied "I ain't ever coming back here."[17] Later, Hopkins attributed his personal discipline to his experiences and time spent in Graterford Prison.[18]

Amateur career

Hopkins completed his amateur career with a 95–4 record, although all of these fights took place in prison during a rehabilitation program so they weren't official amateur bouts.[19]

Professional career

Middleweight

Early career

Hopkins immediately joined the professional boxing ranks as a light heavyweight, losing his debut on October 11, 1988, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, to Clinton Mitchell. After a sixteen-month layoff, he resumed his career as a middleweight, winning a unanimous decision over Greg Paige at the Blue Horizon on February 22, 1990.

Between February 1990 and December 1992, Hopkins scored 21 wins without a loss. He won 16 of those fights by knockout, 12 coming in the first round.

Hopkins vs. Jones I

Hopkins met Roy Jones on May 22, 1993, for the vacant IBF middleweight title. Hopkins was out-pointed throughout most of the fight, en route to losing a unanimous decision. All three judges scored the fight 116–112 for Jones.[20]

Middleweight title

The IBF came again knocking at Hopkins's door on December 17 of that year, matching him with

Quito, Ecuador. Mercado knocked Hopkins down twice before Hopkins rallied late and earned a split draw.[21] It has been argued that Hopkins was also not properly acclimated to the altitude of nearly 10,000 feet.[22]

The IBF called for an immediate rematch, and on April 29, 1995, Hopkins became a world champion with a seventh-round

technical knockout victory in Landover, Maryland
.

In his first title defense he defeated Steve Frank, whom he stopped in twenty-four seconds. By the end of 2000, he had defended the IBF title 12 times without a loss, while beating such standouts as John David Jackson, Glen Johnson (undefeated at the time), former champion Simon Brown, and knockout artist Antwun Echols.

2001 Middleweight Tournament

Main article: Middleweight World Championship Series

The arrival of former welterweight and light middleweight champion Félix Trinidad into the middleweight ranks set off a series of unification fights between major middleweight title-holders. The boxers involved in the tournament were reigning IBF champion Bernard Hopkins, WBC champion Keith Holmes, WBA champion William Joppy, and Félix Trinidad.

Hopkins vs. Holmes

Main article:
Bernard Hopkins vs. Keith Holmes

On April 14, 2001, Hopkins won a unanimous decision over WBC champion Keith Holmes in New York City. Trinidad, however, knocked out Middleweight mainstay William Joppy in an impressive five rounds.[23] This led many to believe that Félix Trinidad was simply too much and too strong for Hopkins.[24]

Hopkins vs. Trinidad

Main article:
Bernard Hopkins vs. Felix Trinidad

On September 29, 2001,

9/11 attacks
postponed it by two weeks.

For the first time in many years, Hopkins was an underdog in the betting, which led the confident Hopkins to place a $100,000 bet on himself to win the bout. (The $100K came from a sponsorship deal Hopkins had with online casino site Golden Palace; Hopkins even had the GoldenPalace.com website displayed on his back for the fight.[25]) During promotion for the bout, Hopkins caused huge controversy by throwing the Puerto Rico flag on the floor in press conferences in both New York City and Puerto Rico, the latter conference leading to a riot in which Hopkins had to be run to safety from the angry mob.[26]

During the fight, Hopkins was on his way to a lopsided decision victory when, in the 12th and final round, he floored Trinidad. Referee Steve Smoger called a halt to the fight after Trinidad's father (who was also his trainer) entered the ring to stop the fight. It was the first loss of Trinidad's career, and it made Hopkins the first undisputed world middleweight champion since

Marvin Hagler in 1987. 'The Ring' magazine and the World Boxing Hall of Fame (not to be confused with the International Boxing Hall of Fame
) named Hopkins as the 2001 Fighter of the Year.

He defended the undisputed title six times. Hopkins bested Carl Daniels on February 2 surpassing Carlos Monzón's division record of 14 defenses, 2002, by tenth-round technical knockout; Morrade Hakkar on March 29, 2003, by eighth-round TKO; William Joppy on December 13, 2003, by unanimous decision; and Robert Allen on June 5, 2004, also by unanimous decision.

Undisputed middleweight champion

Hopkins vs. De La Hoya

Main article:
Bernard Hopkins vs. Oscar De La Hoya

In the highest-paying fight of his career, Hopkins fought six-division titleholder

catch weight of 158 lbs, two pounds below the middleweight limit of 160 lbs.[27] Hopkins won the bout by knockout in the ninth round with a left hook to the body and thus became the first boxer ever to unify the titles of all four major sanctioning bodies. At the time of the stoppage, Hopkins was ahead on two of the scorecards, with De La Hoya ahead on the other.[28]
Hopkins earned a career high of $10 million and De La Hoya made $30 million.

In November 2004, De la Hoya invited Hopkins to join his boxing promotional firm, Golden Boy Promotions, as president of its new East Coast chapter.

At 40 years old, an age at which most boxers are retired, Hopkins reached the middleweight record at the time of 19 consecutive title defenses on February 19, 2005, against ranked #1 WBC contender Howard Eastman, the European middleweight champion. Hopkins dominated the fight from start to finish, winning 119–110, 117–111 and 116–112.

Hopkins vs. Taylor

Main article: Bernard Hopkins vs. Jermain Taylor

In his next fight on July 16, 2005, Hopkins lost his undisputed middleweight championship to Jermain Taylor via a split decision. Hopkins started slowly but came on strong over the final four rounds. Many press row writers scored the fight for Hopkins.[29] Five months later, Hopkins and Taylor had a rematch, Taylor winning again, this time by unanimous decision.

Light heavyweight

Hopkins vs. Tarver

Following his two losses to Jermain Taylor, Hopkins at 41 decided not to retire and made the decision to jump two weight divisions to face off against The Ring light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver on June 10, 2006. Going into the fight, Tarver was a 3-to-1 favorite and had been the first man ever to TKO Roy Jones Jr. Many now placed Tarver among the sports top competitors. He was constantly ranked in the P4P rankings. However, Bernard Hopkins picked up a lopsided unanimous decision, scoring 118–109 on all three judges scorecards.

Antonio Tarver also lost a $250,000 bet with Hopkins, after he failed to stop Hopkins in the first six rounds.[30]

Hopkins vs. Wright

On July 21, 2007, at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Hopkins defended The Ring light heavyweight championship against former

$200,000 for instigating the brawl.[32] Hopkins prevailed with a unanimous decision victory by scores of 117–111, 117–111 and 116–112.[33]

Hopkins vs. Calzaghe

Main article: Bernard Hopkins vs. Joe Calzaghe

On April 19, 2008, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Hopkins lost The Ring light heavyweight title to Joe Calzaghe via split decision (116–111 and 115–112 for Joe Calzaghe; 114–113 for Hopkins). Hopkins started the fight well, dropping Calzaghe in the first round and using his ring savvy to confuse the challenger. Calzaghe did however quickly adapt to the style of Hopkins and caught up in the middle to later rounds using his superior hand speed and output volume, leading to a split decision win for the Welshman.[34]

Hopkins vs. Pavlik

Main article:
Bernard Hopkins vs. Kelly Pavlik

On October 18, 2008, Hopkins met middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik in a non-title fight at a catch-weight of 170 lbs. Fans and pundits alike felt that Pavlik, known for his formidable punching power, would become the first man to knock Hopkins out. Pavlik was a 4–1 betting favorite heading into the contest. On the night of the fight, Hopkins turned back the clock to produce a performance he claimed to be the best of his career winning a unanimous decision (117–109, 119–106, 118–108) over the undefeated Pavlik. Hopkins prepared for this fight in the late summer heat at his second home, Danny Hawk's "World Famous" Normandy Gym in Miami Beach, Florida.

During the Ricky Hatton vs. Manny Pacquiao media conferences before their fight on May 3, 2009, Hopkins stated he would be "interested" in a proposed fight with British super middleweight champion Carl Froch.

On December 2, 2009, Bernard Hopkins fought in his home city of Philadelphia for the first time since 2003 beating Enrique Ornelas via 12-round unanimous decision (120–109, 119–109 & 118–110) in what served as a tune-up bout for the 44-year-old Hopkins who had not fought since his October 18, 2008 12-round upset victory over undisputed middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik.

The bout was supposed to be a tune-up for a scheduled March 13, 2010, rematch with Roy Jones Jr. The rematch was later postponed as a result of Jones Jr. falling to a first-round technical knockout loss to Australian Danny Green.

Hopkins vs. Jones II

Hopkins in 2010
Main article: Bernard Hopkins vs. Roy Jones Jr. II

Hopkins and old foe Roy Jones Jr. agreed to fight in a rematch on April 3, 2010, at the

Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The two boxers fought again 17 years after their first bout in 1993. Hopkins defeated Jones by a unanimous decision in a 12-round bout marred by illegal blows and a skirmish at the end of the sixth round involving ring entourage, the referee and security guards. Judges Don Trella and Glenn Trowbridge scored it 117–110 for Hopkins, while Dave Moretti favored him 118–109. The Associated Press had it 119–108, scoring 11 of 12 rounds for Hopkins.[35]

He then challenged WBA heavyweight champion David Haye who had successfully defended his title against John Ruiz.[36] Following Hopkins challenge, Haye ruled out the fight stating Bernard was only looking for a payday.[37] Hopkins later stated his intentions to fight Lucian Bute following Bute's third-round technical knockout victory over Edison Miranda. Golden Boy Promotions also tried to approach retired boxer Joe Calzaghe for a potential rematch in 2010, but Calzaghe, who stated he no longer had the appetite, turned the offer down.[38]

Hopkins vs. Pascal I & II

Main articles: Jean Pascal vs. Bernard Hopkins and Jean Pascal vs. Bernard Hopkins II

At 45 years old, Hopkins fought

Colisée Pepsi in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The bout ended in a majority draw decision. Judge Steve Morrow had it 114–112 for Hopkins, but was overruled by Claude Paquette (113–113) and Daniel Van de Wiele (114–114).[39] Following the controversy of the fight, WBC chairman José Sulaimán
sanctioned an immediate rematch.

Hopkins (right) vs. Pascal, 2011

On May 21, 2011, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Hopkins defeated Pascal by unanimous decision to capture the lineal/WBC/The Ring light-heavyweight championships.[40][41] The official scores were 115–113 from Guido Cavalleri of Italy, 116–112 from judge Rey Danseco of the Philippines, and 115–114 from Thailand's Anek Hongtongkam.[42][43][44] With the win, Hopkins became the oldest man in the history of the sport to win a major world title, supplanting George Foreman, who had previously held the distinction after his knockout victory over Michael Moorer.[45] Hopkins won at 46 years, 4 months, 6 days, while Foreman was 45 years, 10 months. After the bout, ESPN columnist Dan Rafael stated: "Bernard Hopkins already had lived several boxing lifetimes, but he was born yet again in Saturday's decision over Jean Pascal, becoming the oldest champion in history."[45]

Hopkins vs. Dawson I & II

Main article: Bernard Hopkins vs. Chad Dawson

Hopkins told the world of boxing that his next fight was going to be against former champion Chad Dawson. They fought on October 15, 2011. Hopkins lost via TKO for being unable to continue after injuring his shoulder when Dawson threw him off of his back.

After an investigation by the WBC following a protest filed by Oscar De La Hoya, the WBC ruled that Dawson intentionally fouled Hopkins and returned the belt to Hopkins. The Ring magazine also decided to continue to recognize Hopkins as their champion pending the California State Athletic Commission's ruling on a protest filed on behalf of Hopkins.[46] Also on December 13, California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) has ruled that the decision will be overturned to a no-contest upon official review and the testimony of referee of the bout, Pat Russell.[47]

A rematch with Dawson was set for April 28, 2012. Hopkins lost the bout via majority decision, and did not fight again in 2012, making it the first calendar year since 1989 that he did not win a fight.[48]

Hopkins vs. Cloud

Hopkins made his return to the ring on March 9, 2013, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, against IBF Light Heavyweight Champion and Ring No. 2 ranked Light Heavyweight, Tavoris Cloud. Hopkins broke his own record becoming the oldest man in the history of the sport to win a major world boxing title, by defeating Cloud by unanimous decision.[49]

Hopkins vs. Murat

Hopkins defended the IBF Light Heavyweight Championship against

Sergey Kovalev Hopkins's new mandatory challenger, but Kovalev instead faced and beat then WBO champion Nathan Cleverly to win the title, so Murat was reinstated as the IBF mandatory challenger and the bout was rescheduled for October 26, 2013.[50] Hopkins won by unanimous decision with two scores of 119–108 and one of 117–110.[51]

Hopkins vs. Shumenov

Hopkins fought Beibut Shumenov in a championship unification bout on April 19, 2014, where Hopkins was defending the IBF Light Heavyweight title and Shumenov was defending the WBA Super and IBA Light Heavyweight titles, the latter not on the line for Hopkins. On fight night Hopkins knocked down Shumenov with a jab and followed with a powerful overhand right that nailed Shumenov on the side of the head and dropped him with just over two minutes left in the eleventh round. Hopkins won by split decision with scores of 113–114, 116-111 and 116–111, becoming the oldest boxer in history to unify titles in a weight division.[52]

Hopkins vs. Kovalev

U.S. Capitol
, 2014

Shortly after

Atlantic City
on November 8, 2014, and was televised by HBO; this marked the end of a feud between Hopkins' promoter Golden Boy Promotions and the network which saw HBO cut ties with Golden Boy fighters.

In a one-sided fight, Hopkins was knocked down in the first round by Kovalev. Although he became the first fighter to take Kovalev past eight rounds, Hopkins lost every single round on all three judges' scorecards and took a 120–107, 120–107, 120-106 unanimous decision defeat, losing his titles.[53]

In 2015, Hopkins called out Carl Froch again stating he would like to fight him in a farewell match, only for Froch to decline the offer calling it a "lose-lose situation". Hopkins also eyed James DeGale and Gennady Golovkin.[54][55]

Hopkins vs. Smith Jr.

Hopkins made an announcement confirming he wanted a final farewell fight before the end of 2016, which was his first fight in over two years since losing to Kovalev in a lopsided unanimous decision. Hopkins also confirmed he would retire after this fight, whether it be at cruiserweight or light heavyweight, putting an end to his 28-year career.[56][57][58]

A deal was made in October for Hopkins to fight American boxer

The Forum in Inglewood, California. Originally a co-feature with Salido vs. Muira until Salido injured his lower back and pulled out of the fight, making the Hopkins farewell the sole main event of the card. Later it was confirmed that another co-feature fight has been signed, as Oleksandr Usyk would be defending his WBO cruiserweight title against Thabiso Mchunu.[59][60][61] Both boxers weighed in at 174 pounds.[62]

Hopkins did not contact trainer Naazim Richardson to train him for his final bout, instead having Kovalev's trainer John David Jackson, a former boxer whom Hopkins defeated in 1997, train him.[63]

On fight night, in front of a 6,513 crowd, Hopkins lost to Smith via TKO when he was knocked out of the ring in the 8th round and failed to make it back into the ring as referee Jack Reiss made a 20 count. Smith Jr. outboxed Hopkins through most of the first seven rounds, then, in the 8th round, Smith caught Hopkins in the corner and landed five shots to the head that knocked him out of the ring. Hopkins said he was hurt and couldn't get back in the ring. He insisted that he had been pushed out of the ring, but replays showed it was not a push. Hopkins said to HBO in the post fight interview, "He shoved me out of the ring. My ankle got twist when I fell out of the ring. I couldn't stand on my feet. If I wouldn't have been pushed out of the ring, I believe he was starting to fade... I can't believe they gave him a TKO. They can call it a no contest but not a loss. The momentum from his body pushed me. I went out like a soldier. I'm not in a denial." Hopkins sat down with HBO's Max Kellerman in the locker room after the fight and confirmed this would be his final fight. Smith Jr. retained his WBC International light heavyweight title. Hopkins' reported purse was $800,000, compared to Smith's $140,000.[64][65][66] According to RingTV, the fight averaged 934,000 viewers, peaking at 1.035m on HBO.[67][68]

Coaches

Hopkins was coached by Philadelphia-based

English "Bouie" Fisher from 1989 until their split in 2002 which resulted in Fisher taking Hopkins to court, claiming he was underpaid by $255,000. They re-united in 2003, but split again in 2005, again with Fisher claiming to be underpaid, this time to the tune of $200,000. Naazim Richardson, Fisher's long-term assistant took over as Hopkins' head coach from 2005.[69]

Fisher won the

Eddie Futch-John F.X. Condon Award, awarded by the Boxing Writers Association of America, for Trainer of the Year
in 2001. He died aged 83 in June 2011. Richardson died in July 2020.

Statements on race

On December 7, 2007, Hopkins and Calzaghe met face to face in the media room set up for the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Ricky Hatton fight. Hopkins and Calzaghe began shouting insults and taunting each other, with Hopkins shouting, "You're not even in my league! I would never let a white boy beat me. I would never lose to a white boy. I couldn't go back to the projects if I let a white boy beat me." Hopkins later explained his comments, saying that it was not meant to be taken as a racial slur or a reflection of his feelings on white fighters, but simply said to create some hype for his fight with Calzaghe.[citation needed] On January 23, 2008, the fight was officially announced to take place on April 19, 2008, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Hopkins lost the fight.

In late 2010, Hopkins suggested that African American fighters who possessed what he described as a "slick" inner-city style of fighting would be successful against Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao. "Maybe I'm biased because I'm black, but I think that this is what is said at people's homes and around the dinner table among black boxing fans and fighters. Most of them won't say it [in public] because they're not being real and they don't have the balls to say it. But I do think that a fighter like the Ray Leonards or anyone like that would beat a guy [like Pacquiao] if they come with their game. Listen, this ain't a racial thing, but then again, maybe it is. But the style that is embedded in most of us black fighters, that style could be a problem to any other style of fighting."[70]

On May 11, 2011, Hopkins questioned

the guy in the house, while everybody else is on the field... He's the one who got the extra coat. The extra servings... He thought he was one of them."[71]

In late 2013 he again suggested that African Americans possess a "slick" style of boxing which is superior to other styles (presumably practiced by non-African Americans). "The great Sugar Ray Leonard, right now, if he was boxing, the way that they want you to fight, the people that pull the strings of the puppet, he would be boring today. Ray Robinson – the great Robinson – would be boring today...Because the feeders of the people that buy entertainment. They're being fed that if they duck, don't buy it. If they're slick, and they beat [their opponent] nine out of the 12 rounds, and the guy just can't hit him because they were slick and smart enough to hit and not get hit, 'He's not crowd-pleasing, he don't sell tickets.' Because they done fed the followers and they done fed [that] to the customers. The customers will drink anything that you give them if it's promoted right...But when you take away the skill and you take away the slick, and you take away the boxing ability and say that's not entertaining, or that's not entertainment, then, to me, it's like trying to erase a culture that you know has dominated the sport way back then where you were slick. And I'm talking about black fighters. Yes, I said it", said Hopkins.[72]

Professional boxing record

67 fights 55 wins 8 losses
By knockout 32 1
By decision 23 7
Draws 2
No contests 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Age Location Notes
67 Loss 55–8–2 (2) Joe Smith Jr. TKO 8 (12), 0:53 Dec 17, 2016 51 years, 337 days
The Forum, Inglewood, California
, U.S. 		For WBC International light heavyweight title
66 Loss 55–7–2 (2)
Sergey Kovalev
 UD 12 Nov 8, 2014 49 years, 297 days Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Lost WBA (Super) and IBF light heavyweight titles;
For WBO light heavyweight title
65 Win 55–6–2 (2) Beibut Shumenov SD 12 Apr 19, 2014 49 years, 94 days D.C. Armory, Washington, D.C., U.S. Retained IBF light heavyweight title;
Won WBA (Super) light heavyweight title
64 Win 54–6–2 (2) Karo Murat UD 12 Oct 26, 2013 48 years, 284 days Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Retained IBF light heavyweight title
63 Win 53–6–2 (2) Tavoris Cloud UD 12 Mar 9, 2013 48 years, 53 days Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S. Won IBF light heavyweight title
62 Loss 52–6–2 (2) Chad Dawson MD 12 Apr 28, 2012 47 years, 104 days Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Lost WBC and The Ring light heavyweight titles
61 NC 52–5–2 (2) Chad Dawson TKO 2 (12), 2:48 Oct 15, 2011 46 years, 273 days Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S. WBC and The Ring light heavyweight titles at stake;
Originally TKO win for Dawson, later ruled NC after an incorrect referee call
60 Win 52–5–2 (1) Jean Pascal UD 12 May 21, 2011 46 years, 126 days
Montreal, Quebec
, Canada 		Won WBC and The Ring light heavyweight titles
59 Draw 51–5–2 (1) Jean Pascal MD 12 Dec 18, 2010 45 years, 337 days
Quebec City, Quebec
, Canada 		For WBC and The Ring light heavyweight titles
58 Win 51–5–1 (1) Roy Jones Jr. UD 12 Apr 3, 2010 45 years, 78 days Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
57 Win 50–5–1 (1) Enrique Ornelas UD 12 Dec 2, 2009 44 years, 321 days Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
56 Win 49–5–1 (1) Kelly Pavlik UD 12
Oct 18, 2008
 43 years, 277 days Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
55 Loss 48–5–1 (1) Joe Calzaghe SD 12 Apr 19, 2008 43 years, 95 days Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Lost The Ring light heavyweight title
54 Win 48–4–1 (1) Winky Wright UD 12 Jul 21, 2007 42 years, 187 days Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained The Ring light heavyweight title
53 Win 47–4–1 (1) Antonio Tarver UD 12 Jun 10, 2006 41 years, 146 days Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Won IBO and The Ring light heavyweight titles
52 Loss 46–4–1 (1) Jermain Taylor UD 12
Dec 3, 2005
 40 years, 322 days
Mandalay Bay Events Center
, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. 		For WBA (Undisputed), WBC, WBO, and The Ring middleweight titles
51 Loss 46–3–1 (1) Jermain Taylor SD 12 Jul 16, 2005 40 years, 182 days MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Lost WBA (Undisputed), WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring middleweight titles
50 Win 46–2–1 (1) Howard Eastman UD 12 Feb 19, 2005 40 years, 35 days
Los Angeles, California
, U.S. 		Retained WBA (Undisputed), WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring middleweight titles
49 Win 45–2–1 (1) Oscar De La Hoya KO 9 (12), 1:38
Sep 18, 2004
 39 years, 247 days MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBA (Undisputed), WBC, IBF, and The Ring middleweight titles;
Won WBO middleweight title
48 Win 44–2–1 (1) Robert Allen UD 12
Jun 5, 2004
 39 years, 142 days MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBA (Undisputed), WBC, IBF, and The Ring middleweight titles
47 Win 43–2–1 (1) William Joppy UD 12
Dec 13, 2003
 38 years, 332 days Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Retained WBA (Undisputed), WBC, IBF, and The Ring middleweight titles
46 Win 42–2–1 (1) Morrade Hakkar RTD 8 (12), 3:00 Mar 29, 2003 38 years, 73 days Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Retained WBA (Unified), WBC, IBF, and The Ring middleweight titles
45 Win 41–2–1 (1) Carl Daniels RTD 10 (12), 3:00 Feb 2, 2002 37 years, 18 days
Sovereign Center, Reading, Pennsylvania
, U.S. 		Retained WBA (Super), WBC, IBF, and The Ring middleweight titles
44 Win 40–2–1 (1) Félix Trinidad TKO 12 (12), 1:18
Sep 29, 2001
 36 years, 257 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained IBF and WBC middleweight titles;
Won WBA (Super) and vacant The Ring middleweight titles
43 Win 39–2–1 (1) Keith Holmes UD 12
Apr 14, 2001
 36 years, 89 days
New York City, New York
, U.S. 		Retained IBF middleweight title;
Won WBC middleweight title
42 Win 38–2–1 (1) Antwun Echols TKO 10 (12), 1:42 Dec 1, 2000 35 years, 321 days The Venetian Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained IBF middleweight title
41 Win 37–2–1 (1) Syd Vanderpool UD 12 May 13, 2000 35 years, 119 days
Indianapolis, Indiana
, U.S. 		Retained IBF middleweight title
40 Win 36–2–1 (1) Antwun Echols UD 12 Dec 12, 1999 34 years, 331 days
Miami, Florida
, U.S. 		Retained IBF middleweight title
39 Win 35–2–1 (1) Robert Allen TKO 7 (12), 1:18 Feb 6, 1999 34 years, 22 days Convention Center, Washington, D.C., U.S. Retained IBF middleweight title
38 NC 34–2–1 (1) Robert Allen NC 4 (12), 2:57 Aug 28, 1998 33 years, 225 days
Las Vegas Hilton
, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. 		IBF middleweight title at stake;
Hopkins unable to continue after the referee accidentally pushed him out of the ring
37 Win 34–2–1 Simon Brown TKO 6 (12), 1:00 Jan 31, 1998 33 years, 16 days
Etess Arena
, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. 		Retained IBF middleweight title
36 Win 33–2–1 Andrew Council UD 12 Nov 18, 1997 32 years, 307 days The Show Place Arena, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, U.S. Retained IBF middleweight title
35 Win 32–2–1 Glen Johnson TKO 11 (12), 1:23 Jul 20, 1997 32 years, 186 days Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S. Retained IBF middleweight title
34 Win 31–2–1 John David Jackson TKO 7 (12), 2:22 Apr 19, 1997 32 years, 94 days Municipal Memorial Auditorium, Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S. Retained IBF middleweight title
33 Win 30–2–1 William Bo James TKO 11 (12), 2:02 Jul 16, 1996 31 years, 183 days Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Retained IBF middleweight title
32 Win 29–2–1 Joe Lipsey KO 4 (12), 2:50 Mar 16, 1996 31 years, 61 days MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained IBF middleweight title
31 Win 28–2–1 Steve Frank TKO 1 (12), 0:24 Jan 27, 1996 31 years, 12 days Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. Retained IBF middleweight title
30 Win 27–2–1 Segundo Mercado TKO 7 (12), 1:10 Apr 29, 1995 30 years, 104 days
USAir Arena, Landover, Maryland
, U.S. 		Won vacant IBF middleweight title
29 Draw 26–2–1 Segundo Mercado SD 12 Dec 17, 1994 29 years, 336 days Coliseo General Rumiñahui, Quito, Ecuador For vacant IBF middleweight title
28 Win 26–2 Lupe Aquino UD 12 May 17, 1994 29 years, 122 days Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Retained USBA middleweight title
27 Win 25–2 Melvin Wynn TKO 3 (10), 0:48 Feb 26, 1994 29 years, 42 days Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
26 Win 24–2 Wendall Hall TKO 3 (12), 0:28 Nov 23, 1993 28 years, 312 days The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Retained USBA middleweight title
25 Win 23–2 Roy Ritchie TKO 7 (12), 1:47 Aug 3, 1993 28 years, 200 days Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. Retained USBA middleweight title
24 Loss 22–2 Roy Jones Jr. UD 12
May 22, 1993
 28 years, 127 days Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Washington, D.C., U.S. For vacant IBF middleweight title
23 Win 22–1 Gilbert Baptist UD 12 Feb 16, 1993 28 years, 32 days
Denver, Colorado
, U.S. 		Retained USBA middleweight title
22 Win 21–1 Wayne Powell TKO 1 (12), 0:21 Dec 4, 1992 27 years, 324 days Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Won vacant
USBA
middleweight title
21 Win 20–1 Eric Rhinehart KO 1 (10), 1:47 Sep 14, 1992 27 years, 243 days
Eli's Pier 34
, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
20 Win 19–1 James Stokes KO 1 (10), 1:44 Aug 28, 1992 27 years, 226 days Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
19 Win 18–1 Aníbal Miranda PTS 10 May 21, 1992 27 years, 127 days Cirque d'hiver, Paris, France
18 Win 17–1 Randy Smith UD 10 Apr 3, 1992 27 years, 79 days Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
17 Win 16–1 Dennis Milton RTD 4 (10), 3:00 Jan 31, 1992 27 years, 16 days The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
16 Win 15–1 Willie Kemp UD 10 Dec 13, 1991 26 years, 332 days Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
15 Win 14–1 David McCluskey TKO 7 (10) Nov 26, 1991 26 years, 315 days The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
14 Win 13–1 Ralph Moncrief TKO 1 (10), 1:28 Sep 23, 1991 26 years, 251 days The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
13 Win 12–1 Danny Mitchell TKO 1 (8), 3:00 Jul 9, 1991 26 years, 175 days The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
12 Win 11–1 Pedro Márquez TKO 1 0:56 Jun 20, 1991 26 years, 157 days Aspen Hotel,
Parsippany, New Jersey
, U.S.
11 Win 10–1 Steve Langley TKO 3 (6), 1:10 Mar 18, 1991 26 years, 62 days The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
10 Win 9–1 Richard Quiles KO 1 (6) Feb 26, 1991 26 years, 42 days National Guard Armory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
9 Win 8–1 Mike Sapp TKO 1 (8), 0:35 Nov 17, 1990 25 years, 306 days Lee County Civic Center, Fort Myers, Florida, U.S.
8 Win 7–1 Darren Oliver TKO 1 (?) Oct 20, 1990 25 years, 269 days Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
7 Win 6–1 Percy Harris UD 6 Aug 5, 1990 25 years, 202 days Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
6 Win 5–1 Khalif Shabazz KO 1 (6), 0:36 Jun 30, 1990 25 years, 166 days
Trump's Castle
, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
5 Win 4–1 Jouvin Mercado TKO 2 (4), 0:43 May 31, 1990 25 years, 136 days
War Memorial Auditorium, Rochester, New York
, U.S.
4 Win 3–1 Eddie Tyler TKO 1 (6) May 18, 1990 25 years, 123 days Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
3 Win 2–1 Keith Gray TKO 1 (?) Apr 26, 1990 25 years, 101 days The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
2 Win 1–1 Greg Paige UD 4 Feb 22, 1990 25 years, 38 days
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, U.S.
1 Loss 0–1 Clinton Mitchell MD 4 Oct 11, 1988 23 years, 270 days Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.

Pay-per-view bouts

Date Fight Billing Buys Revenue
September 29, 2001 Trinidad vs. Hopkins
And Then There Was One
 475,000 $20.4m
September 18, 2004 De La Hoya vs. Hopkins
It's History
 1,000,000 $56m
July 16, 2005 Hopkins vs. Taylor Next In Line 370,000 $17.5m
December 3, 2005 Taylor vs. Hopkins II No Respect 410,000 $20.5m
June 10, 2006 Tarver vs. Hopkins Fight To The Finish 330,000 $16.5m
July 21, 2007 Hopkins vs. Wright Coming To Fight 330,000 $16.5m
April 3, 2010 Hopkins vs. Jones II The Rivals 150,000 $7.5m
Total 7 Pay Per View Fights 3,065,000 $154.9m

See also

References

  1. ^
    HBO Sports tale of the tape prior to the Félix Trinidad fight
    .
  2. ^ "GGG relishes tying Hopkins for division record". May 7, 2018.
  3. ^ "Head to head: Hopkins-Jones". April 2, 2010.
  4. ^ "GGG ties Bernard Hopkins' record of 20 title defenses". May 6, 2018.
  5. ^ "Q&A: Bernard Hopkins". May 22, 2013.
  6. ^ "Bernard Hopkins - BoxRec".
  7. ^ "Bernard Hopkins".
  8. ^ Fischer, Doug. (September 30, 2011) 10: Best middleweight titleholders of the last 50 years | RingTV Archived October 3, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Ringtv.craveonline.com. Retrieved on August 5, 2012.
  9. ^ "BoxRec ratings: world, pound-for-pound, active and inactive". BoxRec. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  10. ^ "The Lineal Light Heavyweight Champions". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
  11. ^ Hopkins vs Cloud live results: Round 12 – Bernard Hopkins wins unanimous decision to become oldest world champ ever. SBNation.com. Retrieved on November 20, 2013.
  12. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Bernard Hopkins - Dirty Tactics Exposed". YouTube.
  13. ^ "Bernard Hopkins a Dirty Fighter? Boxing Trainer speaks out! - Doghouse Boxing News Report".
  14. ^ "SecondsOut Boxing News". July 5, 2021.
  15. ^ "Kovalev Explains Why Bernard Hopkins is a 'Dirty Fighter'". October 31, 2014.
  16. ^ Steve Bunce (November 11, 2001) The forgotten prince Guardian. Retrieved on July 29, 2009.
  17. ^ Jake Donovan (July 15, 2005). "Still Waiting for Bernard Hopkins to Grow Old?" July 15, 2005.
  18. ^ "From THE RING Magazine: Bernard Hopkins learned discipline in prison - The Ring". The Ring. November 6, 2014. Retrieved February 18, 2017.
  19. ^ Bernard Hopkins Amateur Record at the BoxingRecords. Last updated : March 13, 2006.
  20. ^ Johns, Marquis (May 23, 2020). "Roy Jones Jr. defeated Bernard Hopkins back in 1993". Big Fight Weekend. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  21. ^ "Bernard Hopkins vs. Segundo Mercado (1st meeting) - BoxRec". boxrec.com. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  22. ^ Rafael, Dan (January 15, 2008). "Can Jones be serious?". ESPN. Retrieved August 23, 2008.
  23. ^ Boxing, BBC (May 13, 2001). "Triumphant Trinidad stops Joppy". BBC Boxing. Retrieved June 3, 2008.
  24. ^ Fans, Boxing (September 9, 2001). "How far can Felix go?". BBC. Retrieved June 3, 2008.
  25. ^ JPG image of Hopkin's back. boxingfutures.com
  26. ^ Manuel Suarez (July 12, 2001). Riot in Puerto Rico during a Trinidad-Hopkins press conference. latinosportslegends.com
  27. ^ Kevin Iole (August 21, 2004). "In ring, Hopkins will finally dictate". reviewjournal.com. Retrieved March 30, 2011.
  28. ^ "Body blow". CNN. September 19, 2004. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  29. ^ Mulvaney, Kieran (October 1, 2005). "Lacy, Corrales, Common Foe Joppy Predict Outcome". ESPN. Retrieved October 24, 2008.
  30. ^ Rec, Box (June 10, 2006). "Antonio Tarver vs. Bernard Hopkins Fight News/Stats". BoxRec.com. Retrieved August 26, 2008.
  31. ^ Willis, George (July 21, 2007). "Hopkins, Wright Brawl at Weigh-in". New York Post. Archived from the original on December 6, 2008. Retrieved June 3, 2008.
  32. ^ "Hopkins fined $200,000 for weigh-in scuffle with Wright". ESPN. August 17, 2007. Retrieved June 3, 2008.
  33. ^ Rafael, Dan (July 23, 2007). "Hopkins keeps title with entertaining win over Wright". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 3, 2008.
  34. ^ "BBC SPORT | Boxing | Calzaghe rallies to beat Hopkins". news.bbc.co.uk. April 20, 2008. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  35. ^ "Bernard Hopkins wins unanimous decision over Roy Jones Jr. – ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. April 4, 2010. Retrieved March 30, 2011.
  36. ^ "Hopkins beats Jones and eyes Haye". BBC News. April 4, 2010. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  37. ^ "Haye dismisses Hopkins challenge". BBC News. April 5, 2010. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  38. ^ Vester, Mark (June 3, 2010). "Joe Calzaghe Turns Down Bernard Hopkins Rematch". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved June 3, 2010.
  39. ^ Iorfida, Chris (December 19, 2010). "Pascal, Hopkins box to entertaining draw". Cbc.ca. Archived from the original on December 20, 2010.
  40. ^ Hopkins-Pascal WBC title rematch ordered. AFP. January 6, 2011.
  41. ^ Hopkins does it!!! Archived May 24, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Fightnews.com (May 21, 2011). Retrieved on August 5, 2012.
  42. ^ "PHILLY BOXING HISTORY - May 21, 2011 - Hopkins Does it Again - Sets Record".
  43. ^ "Bernard Hopkins is world champion at 46". May 22, 2011.
  44. ^ LaBate, Chris (May 22, 2011). "Bernard Hopkins Beats Jean Pascal To Make History". Boxing Scene. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
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  46. ^ RING light heavweight belt won't change hands pending appeal | RingTV. Ringtv.craveonline.com. October 18, 2011.
  47. ^ Rosenthal, Michael. (December 14, 2011) California commission rules Hopkins-Dawson fight 'no-decision' | RingTV. Ringtv.craveonline.com. Retrieved on August 5, 2012.
  48. ^ Parker, Graham (April 29, 2012). "Chad Dawson beats Bernard Hopkins - as it happened". the Guardian. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  49. ^ "Hopkins win shows mastery of craft". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  50. ^ Bernard Hopkins to fight Karo Murat on October 19 | Boxing News. ESPN.co.uk (July 21, 2013). Retrieved on November 20, 2013.
  51. ^ Greisman, David P. (October 27, 2013) Bernard Hopkins Brawls His Way To Overcome Murat – Boxing News. Boxingscene.com. Retrieved on November 20, 2013.
  52. ^ "Boxing: Bernard Hopkins, 49, unifies titles with split decision win over Beibut Shumenov". The Washington Post. April 20, 2014. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
  53. ^ "Kovalev defeats Bernard Hopkins". November 9, 2014. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  54. ^ O'Hara, Ryan (June 4, 2015). "Bernard Hopkins To Retire In 2015 - Tha Boxing Voice". Tha Boxing Voice. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  55. ^ "Carl Froch: Bernard Hopkins fight would be a 'lose-lose situation'". BBC Sport. February 6, 2015. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  56. ^ "Bernard Hopkins Next Fight To Come Before End Of 2016". Boxing News and Views. October 10, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
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  62. ^ "Hopkins, Smith Weigh 174; Smith: This 'Common Man' Beats His Ass - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. December 16, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
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  71. ^ "Hopkins still thinking about McNabb - philly-archives". September 10, 2015. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  72. ^ "B-Hop's Claim Racist?". Archived from the original on March 22, 2015. Retrieved 2014-12-09.

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to Bernard Hopkins.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bernard Hopkins.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Reggie Johnson
USBA middleweight
champion
December 4, 1992 – December 1994
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Robert Allen
Minor world boxing titles
Preceded by IBO light heavyweight champion
June 10, 2006 – June 2007
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Antonio Tarver
Major world boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Roy Jones Jr. 		IBF middleweight champion
April 29, 1995 – July 16, 2005 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
April 14, 2001
– July 16, 2005
New title
Unified against Félix Trinidad
Unified title
until September 26, 2003
Vacant
Title last held by
Sumbu Kalambay 		The Ring middleweight champion
September 29, 2001 – July 16, 2005
Preceded by WBO middleweight champion
September 18, 2004 – July 16, 2005
Vacant
Title last held by
Marvin Hagler
September 18, 2004
– July 16, 2005
Preceded by
Antonio Tarver
 The Ring light heavyweight champion
June 10, 2006 – April 19, 2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by WBC light heavyweight champion
May 12, 2011 – April 29, 2012 		Succeeded by
The Ring light heavyweight champion
May 21, 2011 – April 29, 2012
Preceded by IBF light heavyweight champion
March 9, 2013 – November 8, 2014 		Succeeded by
Sergey Kovalev
Preceded by WBA light heavyweight champion
Super title
April 19, 2014 – November 8, 2014
Failed to win Undisputed title 		Vacant
Title next held by
Dmitry Bivol
Awards
Previous:
Félix Trinidad 		The Ring Fighter of the Year
2001 		Next:
Vernon Forrest
BWAA Fighter of the Year
2001
Previous:
Nonito Donaire
KO5 Vic Darchinyan
UD12 Kelly Pavlik

2008 		Next:
Juan Carlos Salgado
KO1 Jorge Linares
Previous:
Floyd Mayweather Jr. 		The Ring Comeback of the Year
2010 		Next:
Érik Morales
Achievements
Preceded by The Ring pound for pound #1 boxer
July 2002 – November 2003 		Succeeded by
Roy Jones Jr.
Preceded by
Roy Jones Jr.
 The Ring pound for pound #1 boxer
June 8, 2004 – July 18, 2005 		Succeeded by
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Records
Preceded by Most successful world
middleweight title defenses
19
February 19, 2005 – May 5, 2018
15th defense on February 2, 2002 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Most opponents beaten
for a world middleweight title
17
April 14, 2001 – present
13th opponent beaten on April 14, 2001 		Incumbent
Preceded by Oldest boxer to win
a major world title
Age 49
April 19, 2014 – present
Broke the record at age 46;
broke his own record again at ages 48 and 49
Oldest boxer to hold or unify
multiple major world titles
Age 49
April 19, 2014 – present
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bernard_Hopkins&oldid=1212256156"