Hopkins makes history with decision over Pascal

Bernard Hopkins literally won one for the ages on Saturday night as became the oldest man ever to win a major boxing title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Jean Pascal to win the WBC/Ring magazine Light Heavyweight championship before 17,750 mostly Pascal fans in a much anticipated rematch at The Bell Centre in Montreal.

Much the like the first encounter that took place on December 18th, Hopkins came out slow but unlike the first fight Pascal did not seem to want to take the lead as the two fighters landed very little in the first two frames. Pascal landed a big right that hurt Hopkins at the end of round three but he was unable to follow up and capitalize on that big shot. Hopkins shook that off and got into a rhythm which mirrored the first fight where Hopkins could not miss his foe with lead right hands and it seemed every time Hopkins would land that shot Pascal had a look of bewilderment and retreat. Hopkins started bullying Pascal around the ring and it was clear who was the elder in this battle.

In round’s nine and ten, Hopkins landed little shots that made Pascal’s gloves graze the canvas. Television replays showed that both should have been called knockdown but Hopkins did not get credit for either blow as referee Ian John Lewis ruled slips on both. Hopkins continued to sweep through the rounds as he started to feel his oats as he continuously mocked and taunted Pascal. Hopkins went as far as to start doing pushups in the middle of the ring before the ninth round began.

Again like the first bout, the final round was a toe to toe war as a desperate Pascal almost got the home run blow that he needed as he rocked Hopkins with a hard right that had the legend holding on.

Hopkins made it to the final bell guns ab-lasing as he waited for the historical tallies.

When they were read, Hopkins, 174 of Philadelphia won by scores of 116-112; 115-113 and 115-114 to become a world champion at age forty-six, surpassing the mark set by a forty-five year old George Foreman. Hopkins incredible record now reads 52-5-2. Pascal of Montreal is now 26-2-1.

Chad Dawson returned the scene of his only professional loss but this time had a better result as he scored a twelve round unanimous decision over Adrian Diaconu in a Light Heavyweight bout.

Dawson came out with a little more aggression then he has shown in previous outings. Diaconu obliged by not being particularly energetic as he was trying to figure not only the southpaw stance of Dawson but a five inch disadvantage.

Diaconu would mount short rallies at different points of the fight as he would land two and three punch combination’s but they were few and far between as Dawson was deft at tying up and working inside and would give back some solid shots of his own.

Dawson got back to boxing from the mid to late rounds and took most of the second half of the fight as he controlled the distance with the exception of a couple of brief instances in round’s nine and twelve where Diaconu landed some hard shots but they were one at a time and Dawson was able to escape the bout mainly unharmed.

Dawson of Hartford, CT won by scores of 118-110; 117-111; and 116-112 to raise his mark to 30-1. Diaconu of Montreal is now 27-3.