At 48 years old Bernard Hopkins is a boxing legend that’s still not quite ready to hang up his gloves. On Saturday night he defeated Karo Murat and retained his IBF light-heavyweight belt and also became the oldest boxer to defend a world title in boxing history. He’s not done making history though, he also wants to be the first boxer to defeat the great Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Hopkins won by unanimous decision with 119-108, 119-108 and 117-110 on the judges scorecards. Hopkins started off slowly against Murat but then got the upperhand so much so he began to toy with the younger boxer.
‘The plan was to let the dog follow the bone into the dark alley,’ added Hopkins. ‘I wanted the knockout so you have to take risks. I’m an entertainer and this is what the people wanted to see.’
‘Fourteen months from being 50, not a bruise on my face, that’s ahead of the game,’ Hopkins said. ‘If you duck more than you take, you can count your own money later on.’
After securing his win Hopkins made it quite clear who he wanted next.
‘You give me until May of next year to make 160, that fight is on,’ he said. ‘I don’t think too many reporters would count me out.’
He called out Mayweather before after Floyd defeated Canelo Alvarez. Now after defeating his opponent Hopkins is even more confident in his ability to dethrone Mayweather. Hopkins typically fights in the 168-175lb weight class while Floyd Mayweather Jr. fights at 147lb. With a 54-6-2 record, Hopkins is sure he can notch another win in his belt but at 45-0 Mayweather is trying to go out on top and undefeated.
Quotes via Metro
