Bernard “Executioner” Hopkins is a historical figure without say and a sure shot to enter the Boxing Hall of Fame. After defeating Tavoris “Thunder” Cloud last night at the Barclays Center, Hopkins improves to 56-6-2, wins the IBF title belt and becomes the oldest fighter in Boxing history to win a championship bout at 48 years old. He actually broke his own record. At 46, he beat WBC light heavyweight champ Jean Pascal in 2011. Former Champ George Forman held the Record prior winning a belt at the age of 45.
Hopkins dominated this fight for the most part cutting cloud open above the right eye with a left hook in the sixth round. Hopkins took advantage of the cut and kept it moving throughout the rest of fight light on his feet controlling the tempo. Hopkins connected on 169 of 417 punches while Cloud landed 139 of 650 with Hopkins taking the unanimous decision and even proclaiming in his post fight conference he intends to keep fighting until he’s 50. I remember Hopkins back when he was 38 years old facing the former champ Oscar de la Hoya , thinking to myself “Hopkins was too old to hang with Oscar”. Yet convincingly beat Oscar De La Hoya in 9 rounds. So at 48 this is a remarkable. Check out what the champ, Bernard Hopkins had to say after winning the title, below.
On the Undercard , Puerto Rican Fighter Frank Galarza also struck a victory with a 2nd round tko of Mexican Guillermo Ibarra. The 27 year old remains undefeated at 9-0. The Brooklyn native took tremendous pride in representing latinos in boxing to the world. We look forward to covering this future champion who’s overcome personal battles but continues to persevere.
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