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Bernard Hopkins – Challenger, Dominator and Thank You
MON June 12, BUSTER PARIS - Saturday night - June 10th 2006 at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City NJ - Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins looked better than ever.
He was challenging Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver for the IBO and NBA Light Heavyweight Championship - and more importantly - was challenging his place in history and challenging himself to do what his hero Sugar Ray Robinson failed to do – move up from Middleweight (160 lbs) to Light Heavyweight (175 lbs) and snatch the crown from the Light Heavyweight Champ.
Hopkins looked total and complete in his Light Heavyweight body – even Emmanuel Steward mentioned how Bernard always looked somewhat drawn at 160 lbs and that he should have been fighting at Light Heavy a couple of years ago.
Regardless of what Hopkins should have done - Emmanuel (as usual) was right on the money – Bernard always appeared somewhat drawn – in great shape and cut, but always too thin at 160.
Again – let me say that I just can’t get over how great and fulfilled B-Hop looked as a Light Heavyweight (unofficial weight on fight night was 182 lbs). It looked completely natural and entirely right.
What was odd - or somewhat surreal – was seeing these two face each other, who ever thought they would? They were worlds apart with Bernard ruling the Middleweight division and Antonio ruling the Light Heavyweights – it may not seem it to regular folks, but in boxing 15 pounds really is an enormous distance.
As predicted the fight was no Gatti Ward, no Barrera Morales – and HBO’s Larry Merchant was bored at times as the bout was a type of chess match and a well thought out fight, but there were great moments of intensity, drama and a showcase of skills from Hopkins that explain why boxing is the Sweet Science.
In the end and after 12 rounds HBO’s unofficial ringside scorer Harold Ledderman and I had the bout scored 119 to 108 for Bernard Hopkins.
Here are the highlights – and keep in mind it was a fairly slow paced fight:
Round 1: Started off with a rather brief initial feeling out process. Bernard was the first to break the ice and grabbed Antonio. Both were throwing light jabs and soon Tarver would begin to throw the straight left - and Hopkins would leap in and counter, clinch - and they would both land little potshots – with Bernard’s being the better ones. Hopkins’ round.
Interestingly - Antonio was fighting tall and looked so much larger than Hopkins – even though he’s only an inch taller.
Round 2: This would be the only round I’d give Tarver. He began the round by landing some straight lefts, but then Bernard would get inside and pound away. Antonio would keep scoring with that left and walking Hopkins down and then Bernard would land these hard jumping-in rights. Tarver had a nice run of throwing punches on B-Hop and near the end of the round Antonio seemed more relaxed, however he held his hands wider but seemed more playful.
For the rest of the fight Bernard Hopkins would win every round.
Round 3: Both fighters were cautious and somewhat tentative. Hopkins began the round on his toes and bouncing while Tarver was stalking him and poking out his jab. That was a big theme of the night - Antonio following Bernard, popping the jab – landing a one-two and then Hopkins jumping in with a big right hand and doing wonders once he was on the inside.
Round 4: Lots of grabbing and at some points Bernard seemed to be almost taunting Antonio. Tarver would throw combinations and then Hopkins would jump in, do damage – specifically on Tarver’s body, grab, do more damage and once they would break Antonio seemed too unsure and almost timid to do anything or to initiate anything.
It was during the fourth round that you begin to notice that it consistently seemed as if Tarver was sluggish and couldn’t get it going. Almost like he was swimming in a pool with his clothes on – and he would remain weighed down and off for the rest of the fight.
Round 5: The 10-8 round for B-Hop – it began with both poking out the jabs. Antonio would throw to Bernard’s head and Bernard would jump in and nail Antonio’s body with two blasts. Hopkins would then land a really nice hook and followed it up with a heavy, but fast left-right combination that sent Tarver stumbling backwards and would cause him to awkwardly reach towards the mat to steady himself. It’s unclear if his glove touched the canvas, but referee Benjy Esteves Jr. picked up the count and Tarver didn’t protest.
Antonio looked weak, drained and he turtled up in the corner as Hopkins pounded away. Antonio came alive just enough to stop Bernard’s onslaught and then the round ended.
Round 6: Tarver began the round applying pressure, but it was for naught, as Hopkins landed big bombs. Tarver slowly and wearily began to approach Bernard with little pitty-pat jabs and Bernard would get on his toes, bounce and land his shots well. Near the end of the round Antonio would be blinking as if there was something in – or wrong - with his eyes … and there was – they were swelling and the right one was closing.
Round 7: Tarver seemed more awake to start the round and both men mixed it up, then Bernard would dictate the pace and the punishment – he would jump in and land wherever he wanted to. He was poised and patient and as the round progressed Tarver would look less and less sure of himself and of what was going on.
Round 8: Antonio started the round throwing and coming at Hopkins, but Bernard would answer back. This round saw the fastest pace of the night and as the round was winding down Antonio was running away from Bernard.
Round 9: Tarver came out with a four-punch combo, which Hopkins replied to with a big right. Antonio would be pawing with his jab and looking worn-out. They tangled up and Bernard would do damage with quick and sharp pops on the inside. Tarver would try the 4 shot combination again, but there was nothing behind it, just leather and B-Hop clobbered him for the last five seconds of the round.
Round 10: Antonio walking to Bernard – poking out his jab and Hopkins landed a big straight right that sends Tarver to the ropes. Tarver then started to mount an offense, but Hopkins began to throw his own punches and it stops Antonio’s momentum. Hopkins was in total control and as the round ticked towards it’s end Tarver let’s fly a bomb that completely misses the target as Bernard spun out – he then jumped back across the ring and pounded away on Antonio until the bell mercifully rang.
Round 11: Tarver was still pawing with his jab and Hopkins just lets loose on him and got Tarver on the ropes. Tarver’s eye’s looked swollen and he looked cooked. Antonio got off the ropes and began to come on, but there was nothing threatening behind his fists. Hopkins let him come in and then once again lets loose and even flurries all over Tarver to end the round.
Round 12: Both men mixing it up, but Hopkins getting the better results and he began to try and beat up Antonio. Bernard is landing beautifully and Tarver is just to tired to do anything about it.
As the round began to close out Hopkins started to dance and move – almost like one Sugar Ray Robinson.
All three judges - Judge John Coyle, Judge Clark Sammartino and Judge Al Bennett had the bout scored 118-109 for Bernard Hopkins - the NEW IBO and NBA Light Heavyweight Champion -- and more importantly -- Ring Magazines recognized Light Heavyweight Champion of the World.
Bernard Hopkins dominated the fight and Antonio Tarver looked pretty much the same way he looked in the later rounds when he last fought Roy Jones Jr (October 2005) – he looked tired, weak, unsteady and unsure.
Post fight Tarver said that sometimes when you wake up it’s just not your day. He said that he felt off and that this was just one of those days.
You know what – I buy that – you could see that in him the entire fight. He was off and just couldn’t pull it together.
Anyone that’s ever done any boxing or any sports training can tell you all about the times “it’s” just not there.
However – and this is somewhat harsh – that shouldn’t matter to a champion. If it ain’t there then you pull it out from deep down within. THAT’S being a champion.
Bernard was very gracious in victory – he even wished Jermain Taylor (who recently beat Hopkins twice) good luck in his upcoming Winky Wright fight (June 17 2006) and he thanked Tarver, thanked Larry Merchant and thanked HBO for what they’ve all done for him.
Well Bernard – on behalf of all of us here at TalkingBoxing.com --- thank YOU -- and congratulations on reaching your amazing goal.
Buster Paris can be reached at: bparis@talkingboxing.com - and always enjoys receiving your thoughts, comments and questions
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