| Bernard Hopkins | |
 |
|
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Real name | Bernard Hopkins |
| Nickname(s) | The Executioner B-Hop |
| Rated at | Light-Heavyweight Middleweight |
| Nationality |  American |
| Birth date | January 15, 1965 |
| Birth place | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 55 |
| Wins | 48 |
| Wins by KO | 32 |
| Losses | 5 |
| Draws | 1 |
| No contests | 1 |
Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins (born January 15, 1965, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American boxer. In boxing the light heavyweight (above 168 pounds up to 175 pounds division is the weight division between Cruiserweight and Super middleweight. Middleweight is a division or weight class, in Boxing. Early boxing history is less than exact but the middleweight designation seems to have begun in the 1840s The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 588 BC - Nebuchadrezzar II of Babylon lays siege to Jerusalem under Zedekiah 's reign Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. Philadelphia (ˌfɪləˈdɛlfiə The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ( often colloquially referred to as PA (its abbreviation by natives and Northeasterners is a state located in the Northeastern An Orthodox stance in combat sports such as boxing and karate refers to someone who boxes right-handed as opposed to a left-handed fighter who is referred to as a Southpaw. Events 588 BC - Nebuchadrezzar II of Babylon lays siege to Jerusalem under Zedekiah 's reign Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. Philadelphia (ˌfɪləˈdɛlfiə The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ( often colloquially referred to as PA (its abbreviation by natives and Northeasterners is a state located in the Northeastern The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Boxing (sometimes also known as English boxing or pugilism) is a Combat sport in which two participants generally of similar weight,
Contents |
Background
Born to Bernard Hopkins Sr. and his wife Shirley. 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 prison for nine felonies. While in prison he witnessed rapes and the murder of another inmate in an argument over a pack of cigarettes, but also discovered his passion for boxing. [1] After serving almost five years, Hopkins was released from prison and decided to use boxing as an escape from his previous life.
Professional career
He 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. Events 1138 - A massive earthquake struck Aleppo, Syria. 1531 - Huldrych Zwingli is killed Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) After a sixteen-month layoff, he resumed his career as a middleweight, winning a unanimous decision over Greg Paige on February 22, 1990. Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar)
Between February 1990 and September 1992, Hopkins scored 20 wins without a loss. He won 15 of those fights by knockout, 11 coming in the first round.
His first chance at a world title came on May 22, 1993 in Washington, DC, against Roy Jones Jr. for the vacant IBF middleweight belt. Events 334 BC - The Greek army of Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of the Granicus. Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D Roy Jones Jr (born January 16, 1969) is an American boxer Jones was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the 1990s by the Boxing Writers Association Hopkins lost by unanimous decision but retained his world ranking and defended his USBA belt three more times.
Winning the IBF middleweight championship
Jones abandoned the middleweight ranks in 1994, and the IBF came again knocking at Hopkins's door on December 17 of that year, matching him with Segundo Mercado in Mercado's hometown of Quito, Ecuador. Events 546 - Gothic War (535–554: The Ostrogoths of King Totila Quito, officially San Francisco de Quito, is the Capital of Ecuador in northwestern South America. Mercado knocked Hopkins down twice before Hopkins rallied late and earned a draw. 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. Events 1429 - Joan of Arc arrives to relieve the Siege of Orleans. Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Landover is an area of Prince George's County in the State of Maryland in the United States of America.
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, Simon Brown, and Antwun Echols. John David Jackson may refer to J D Jackson, a physicist John David Jackson (boxer Glen Johnson may refer to Glen Johnson (boxer (born 1969 Jamaican boxer Glen Johnson (English footballer (born 1984 English Premier Simon Brown (born August 15, 1963, in Clarendon Jamaica) was a professional boxer. Antwun Echols (born December 4 1971, in Davenport Iowa) is an American boxer.
2001 middleweight unification tournament
The arrival of multiple-division champion Félix Trinidad into the middleweight ranks set off a series of unification fights between major titleholders. Félix 'Tito' Trinidad Jr (born January 10 1973 is a Puerto Rican professional boxer considered as one of the best boxers in that archipelago's history On April 14, 2001, Hopkins won a unanimous decision over WBC champion Keith Holmes in New York City. Events 43 BC - Battle of Forum Gallorum: Mark Antony, besieging Julius Caesar 's assassin Decimus Junius Brutus in Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. The World Boxing Council was initially created by 11 countries the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Keith Holmes may refer to Keith Holmes (boxer, American boxer Keith Holmes (palaeobotanist, Australian palaeobotanist The City of New York Then, on September 29, WBA champion Trinidad challenged Hopkins for middleweight unification in Madison Square Garden. Events 522 BC - Darius I of Persia kills the Magian usurper Gaumâta securing his hold as king of the Persian Empire. The World Boxing Association (WBA is a Boxing organization that sanctions official matches and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG, and known colloquially as The Garden, has been the name of four Arenas in New York City.
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. He was on his way to a lopsided decision victory when, in the 12th and final round, he floored Trinidad and referee Steve Smoger called a halt to the fight after Trinidad's father entered the ring to stop the fight. It was the first loss of Trinidad's career, and made Hopkins the first undisputed world middleweight champion since Marvin Hagler in 1987. Marvelous Marvin Hagler (born Marvin Nathaniel Hagler, in Newark, New Jersey, May 23, 1954) is a former American The Ring magazine and the World Boxing Hall of Fame named Hopkins as the 2001 Fighter of the Year.
Undisputed middleweight championship
He defended the undisputed title six times. Hopkins bested Carl Daniels on February 2, 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. Carl Bryant Daniels (born August 26, 1970 in St Louis MO) is a professional boxer in the Light Middleweight (154 lb) Events 962 - Translatio imperii: Pope John XII crowns Otto I Holy Roman Emperor, the first Holy Roman Emperor See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. Morrade Hakkar (born January 19, 1972 in Besançon France) is a middleweight boxer who has held a number of regional championship belts during Events 1461 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Towton - Edward of York defeats Queen Margaret to become King Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. William Torelle Joppy is an American Middleweight boxer. Born in Silver Spring Maryland on September 11, 1970, he has held the Events 1294 - Saint Celestine V abdicates the papacy after only five months Celestine hoped to return to his previous life Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Robert Allen (born 1969-06-07) is an American professional boxer from Atlanta Georgia. Events 70 - Titus and his Roman Legions breach the middle wall of Jerusalem in the Siege of Jerusalem "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again "
In the highest paying fight of his career, Hopkins fought six-division titleholder Oscar de la Hoya for the undisputed middleweight championship on September 18, 2004, in Las Vegas. Oscar de la Hoya (ˈɒskər dɛlə ˈhɔɪə (born February 4 1973 &mdash nicknamed "The Golden Boy" &mdash is an Mexican American boxer Events 96 - Nerva is proclaimed Roman Emperor after Domitian is assassinated "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Las Vegas ( Spanish: "The Meadows" is the most populous City in the state of Nevada, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally Hopkins won the bout with a knockout in the ninth round and thus became the first boxer ever to unify the titles of all four major sanctioning bodies.
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. Golden Boy Promotions Inc is a Combat sport promotional firm started by former Boxing world champion in six weight divisions Oscar De La Hoya, (whose
Hopkins reached the middleweight record of 20 title defenses on February 19, 2005, against Howard Eastman, the European middleweight champion. Events 197 - Roman Emperor Septimius Severus defeats usurper Clodius Albinus in the Battle of Lugdunum Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. …… Howard Anthony Eastman (Born 8 December 1970 in New Amsterdam Guyana is a London England-based Middleweight boxer nicknamed the Battersea Bomber and
Hopkins vs. Taylor
In his next fight on July 16, 2005, Hopkins lost his undisputed middleweight championship to Jermain Taylor via split decision. Events 622 - The beginning of the Islamic calendar. 1054 - Three Roman legates fractured relations between the Western and Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Jermain Taylor (born August 11, 1978 in Little Rock Arkansas) is a professional American boxer and former Undisputed
On December 3, 2005, Hopkins lost his rematch against Jermain Taylor by unanimous decision. Events 1800 - War of the Second Coalition: Battle of Hohenlinden, French Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. All three judges scored the fight 115-113 for Taylor.
Light heavyweight
On June 10, 2006, Hopkins defeated The Ring light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver via unanimous decision. Events 1190 - Third Crusade: Frederick I Barbarossa drowns in the Sally River while leading an army to Jerusalem Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Antonio Deon Tarver (born November 21 1968 nicknamed the "Magic Man" is a professional boxer from Orlando Florida, who is the former Ring Light All three judges had him winning the bout 118-109.
Return in 2007
On July 21, 2007, at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Hopkins defended The Ring light heavyweight championship against former undisputed junior middleweight champion Winky Wright. Events 356 BC - Herostratus sets fire to the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. This is a list of current and past undisputed champions of Boxing. Ronald Lamont "Winky" Wright (born November 26, 1971, in Washington DC) is an American boxer, the former undisputed During the weigh-in, Hopkins shoved Wright with an open-hand to the face, igniting a brawl between both fighters entourages. [2] Hopkins was fined $200,000 for instigating the brawl. The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been [3] Hopkins struggled to figure out Wright in the early rounds, but began landing effective punches as the fight progressed. [4] An accidental head butt opened a nasty cut by Wright's left eye in the third round. Referee Robert Byrd warned Hopkins repeatedly for using his head, but he never deducted a point. Hopkins looked fresh late in the bout, luring Wright in and snapping off combinations. In the final round, Hopkins wobbled Wright with a right hand as blood streaked down his cheek. Hopkins prevailed with a unanimous decision victory by scores of 117-111, 117-111 and 116-112. [5]
Fight with Calzaghe
On April 19, 2008, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Hopkins lost The Ring light heavyweight championship to Joe Calzaghe by split decision. Bernard Hopkins vs Joe Calzaghe was a boxing match that took place on April 19, 2008, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas Nevada, between Events 1012 - Martyrdom of Alphege in Greenwich London. 1529 - At the Second Diet of Speyer 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Joseph William Calzaghe CBE (born 23 March 1972 in Hammersmith, London, England) is a Welsh Boxer. [6] Hopkins got off to a great start by knocking Calzaghe down with a straight right hand in the first round. Calzaghe wasn't badly hurt, however. Hopkins mostly threw one punch at a time and often initiated clinches to prevent Calzaghe from punching in combinations. The first half of the fight had lots of hitting and holding, but Calzaghe slowly began to figure Hopkins out, landing flurries of short quick punches. In the end, judges Chuck Giampa (116-111) and Ted Gimza (115-112) scored the fight for Calzaghe, while judge Adalaide Byrd (114-113) scored the fight for Hopkins. [7]
After the fight, Hopkins was upset with the official decision and said that he was robbed of a clear points win. Hopkins said, "I just really feel like I took the guy to school. I feel like I made him fight my fight, not his. I wanted him to run into my shots. I think I made him do that, and I think I made it look pretty easy. I think I controlled the pace, and I controlled the fight. "[8]
References
- ^ Doogan, Brian. "Bernard Hopkins: 10 things you didn’t know" 13 April 2008. Events 1111 - Henry V is crowned Holy Roman Emperor. 1204 - The Fourth Crusade sacks Constantinople 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Times Online URL accessed 13 April 2008. The Times is a daily national Newspaper published in the United Kingdom since 1785 when it was known as The Daily Universal Register. Events 1111 - Henry V is crowned Holy Roman Emperor. 1204 - The Fourth Crusade sacks Constantinople 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common
- ^ Willis, George (2007-07-21). Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 356 BC - Herostratus sets fire to the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World Hopkins, Wright Brawl at Weigh-in. New York Post. The New York Post is the 13th-oldest Newspaper published in the United States and generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continually Retrieved on 2008-06-03. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, proclaims himself Roman Emperor, entering
- ^ Hopkins fined $200,000 for weigh-in scuffle with Wright. ESPN.com (2007-08-17). ESPNcom is the official website of ESPN and a division of ESPN Inc Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 986 - A Byzantine army was destroyed in the pass of Trajan's Gate by the Bulgarians under the Comitopuli Retrieved on 2008-06-03. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, proclaims himself Roman Emperor, entering
- ^ Richardson, Anwar S (2007-07-22). Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1099 - First Crusade: Godfrey of Bouillon is elected the first Defender of the Holy Sepulchre of The Kingdom of Revitalized Hopkins Outclasses Wright. Tampa Bay Online. Retrieved on 2008-06-03. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, proclaims himself Roman Emperor, entering
- ^ Rafael, Dan (2007-07-23). Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1632 - Three hundred colonists bound for New France depart from Dieppe France. Hopkins keeps title with entertaining win over Wright. ESPN. com. Retrieved on 2008-06-03. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, proclaims himself Roman Emperor, entering
- ^ Calzaghe defeats Hopkins!. Orange United Kingdom. Orange UK is a Mobile network operator and Internet service provider in the United Kingdom which is owned by France Télécom. Retrieved on 2008-06-03. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, proclaims himself Roman Emperor, entering
- ^ Perea, Victor; A. Hale (2008-04-19). 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1012 - Martyrdom of Alphege in Greenwich London. 1529 - At the Second Diet of Speyer Calzaghe defeats Hopkins!. Fightnews. com. Retrieved on 2008-04-20. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1303 - The University of Rome La Sapienza is instituted by Pope Boniface VIII.
- ^ Vester, Mark (2008-04-19). 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1012 - Martyrdom of Alphege in Greenwich London. 1529 - At the Second Diet of Speyer Hopkins: "I Took Joe Calzaghe To School". BoxingScene. com. Retrieved on 2008-04-20. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1303 - The University of Rome La Sapienza is instituted by Pope Boniface VIII.
See also
External links
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Vacated by Reggie Johnson |
USBA Middleweight Champion December 4, 1992 – 1994 |
Succeeded by Vacancy filled by Robert Allen |
| Preceded by Vacated by Roy Jones Jr. |
IBF World Middleweight Champion April 29, 1995 – July 16, 2005 |
Succeeded by Jermain Taylor |
| Preceded by Keith Holmes |
WBC World Middleweight Champion April 14, 2001 – July 16, 2005 |
|
| Preceded by Félix Trinidad |
WBA World Middleweight Champion September 29, 2001 – July 16, 2005 (elevated to super champ November 16, 2001) |
|
| Preceded by Oscar de la Hoya |
WBO World Middleweight Champion September 18, 2004 – July 16, 2005 |
|
| Preceded by Vacated by James Toney |
The Ring World Middleweight Champion September 29, 2001 – July 16, 2005 |
|
| Preceded by Antonio Tarver |
The Ring Light Heavyweight Champion June 10, 2006 – April 19th, 2008 |
Succeeded by Joe Calzaghe |
| Honorary titles | ||
| Preceded by Roy Jones Jr. |
Pound for pound #1 boxer (The Ring) 2004 – 2005 |
Succeeded by Floyd Mayweather Jr. |
| Preceded by Felix Trinidad |
Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year 2001 |
Succeeded by Vernon Forrest |
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