THE CIRCLE OF LIFE: THE END OF THE BERNARD HOPKINS ERA
By John McCormick
Ever since he lost two extremely close decisions to Jermain Taylor in 2005, Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins' career has been a pattern of taking risks. With wins against Antonio Tarver, Kelly Pavlik, and Jean Pascal, the risks that the 47 year old took brought him major success. However, some risks, such as his 2008 loss to Joe Calzaghe left the Philadelphia native empty handed. Hopkins’ second bout against “Bad” Chad Dawson left the former world light heavyweight and middleweight champion empty handed once again.
After re-watching their first bout, a two-round no contest, fans could only hope the rematch wouldn’t be another disappointment or that these two would fight to a draw, prompting a third bout. Luckily, Dawson had other plans. The New Haven, Connecticut native, himself a former light heavyweight champion, dominated Hopkins for a majority of the second fight, all while preventing Hopkins from setting a rhythm to the fight.
“They are going to try and take this one away from me,” said Hopkins to press row while judges Dick Flaherty, Luis Rivera and Steve Weisfeld’s scorecards were totaled up. In the past, Hopkins’ post-fight rants had substance to them. Seeing Hopkins clearly beaten over the course of a twelve round fight hasn’t exactly been a regular event over the course of his 23½ year pro career. However, on this night the clarity of the loss wasn’t debatable: Dawson beat Hopkins and beat him badly. Hopkins has no case for a controversial decision despite Luis Rivera’s atrocious 114-114 scorecard. The living legend should hang the gloves up and the New Jersey State Athletic Commission should summon Luis Rivera and have him explain round-by-round how he gave Hopkins six rounds when the Philadelphia native won, in my opinion, only two rounds at most.
On the other hand, a surging sense of hope could be felt at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Saturday night. It was a bittersweet moment; the ugly right hand, heat-butt and clinch style of Bernard Hopkins is a thing of the past, at least until Timothy Bradley faces Manny Pacquiao on June 9th. We have a new world light heavyweight champion in Chad Dawson, a familiar position for him. However, Dawson had an intense, extremely focused look in his eyes on Saturday night that may foreshadow the future of his career. Anybody with any boxing knowledge can’t deny Chad Dawson’s talent; the man has many skills. His inconsistencies have been his downfall, specifically his 2010 loss to Jean Pascal, a loss that Dawson should now look to avenge.
Whether you’re a fan of Dawson’s style or you favor the ways of Hopkins, one thing is clear. The fact that Dawson won on Saturday night is a good thing for the sport of boxing. A young, talented champion is good for the sport. An over-the-hill ex-champion, even one that can still compete with fighters half his age, shall soon become a circus act. Hopkins should stop complaining and be thankful his championship run ended with the dignity of a gallant effort. He is getting hit more than he ever has and it would only be a matter of time before he gets hurt in the ring. A farewell fight against a mediocre fighter is understandable for Hopkins, so he can close the book on a long, unbelievable, hall-of-fame career with another name in the win column.
But except for an easy farell fight, he should hang up the gloves immediately.
Dawson, on the other hand has a bright future. Potential fights with Tavoris Cloud, Pascal, or a number of super middleweights who may head up 7 pounds north can define his legacy. The skies have opened for Dawson at the same time that they have closed for Hopkins.
By John McCormick
Ever since he lost two extremely close decisions to Jermain Taylor in 2005, Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins' career has been a pattern of taking risks. With wins against Antonio Tarver, Kelly Pavlik, and Jean Pascal, the risks that the 47 year old took brought him major success. However, some risks, such as his 2008 loss to Joe Calzaghe left the Philadelphia native empty handed. Hopkins’ second bout against “Bad” Chad Dawson left the former world light heavyweight and middleweight champion empty handed once again.
After re-watching their first bout, a two-round no contest, fans could only hope the rematch wouldn’t be another disappointment or that these two would fight to a draw, prompting a third bout. Luckily, Dawson had other plans. The New Haven, Connecticut native, himself a former light heavyweight champion, dominated Hopkins for a majority of the second fight, all while preventing Hopkins from setting a rhythm to the fight.
“They are going to try and take this one away from me,” said Hopkins to press row while judges Dick Flaherty, Luis Rivera and Steve Weisfeld’s scorecards were totaled up. In the past, Hopkins’ post-fight rants had substance to them. Seeing Hopkins clearly beaten over the course of a twelve round fight hasn’t exactly been a regular event over the course of his 23½ year pro career. However, on this night the clarity of the loss wasn’t debatable: Dawson beat Hopkins and beat him badly. Hopkins has no case for a controversial decision despite Luis Rivera’s atrocious 114-114 scorecard. The living legend should hang the gloves up and the New Jersey State Athletic Commission should summon Luis Rivera and have him explain round-by-round how he gave Hopkins six rounds when the Philadelphia native won, in my opinion, only two rounds at most.
On the other hand, a surging sense of hope could be felt at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Saturday night. It was a bittersweet moment; the ugly right hand, heat-butt and clinch style of Bernard Hopkins is a thing of the past, at least until Timothy Bradley faces Manny Pacquiao on June 9th. We have a new world light heavyweight champion in Chad Dawson, a familiar position for him. However, Dawson had an intense, extremely focused look in his eyes on Saturday night that may foreshadow the future of his career. Anybody with any boxing knowledge can’t deny Chad Dawson’s talent; the man has many skills. His inconsistencies have been his downfall, specifically his 2010 loss to Jean Pascal, a loss that Dawson should now look to avenge.
Whether you’re a fan of Dawson’s style or you favor the ways of Hopkins, one thing is clear. The fact that Dawson won on Saturday night is a good thing for the sport of boxing. A young, talented champion is good for the sport. An over-the-hill ex-champion, even one that can still compete with fighters half his age, shall soon become a circus act. Hopkins should stop complaining and be thankful his championship run ended with the dignity of a gallant effort. He is getting hit more than he ever has and it would only be a matter of time before he gets hurt in the ring. A farewell fight against a mediocre fighter is understandable for Hopkins, so he can close the book on a long, unbelievable, hall-of-fame career with another name in the win column.
But except for an easy farell fight, he should hang up the gloves immediately.
Dawson, on the other hand has a bright future. Potential fights with Tavoris Cloud, Pascal, or a number of super middleweights who may head up 7 pounds north can define his legacy. The skies have opened for Dawson at the same time that they have closed for Hopkins.
