Bernard Hopkins Vs. Jean Pascal II: Hopkins Becomes Oldest Man To Win Title With Decision Victory

Today on CSN Washington’s The Fight Fix, host Dustin Green recaps the major boxing event from this past weekend: Bernard Hopkins’ history making-win over Jean Pascal in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Hopkins battered the younger Pascal and even survived a few scares, particularly late in the 12th round, to become the oldest man to win a major title in boxing. Hopkins is 46 years old.

Before the Jean Pascal-Bernard Hopkins rematch, ferocious words flew on a brilliant new HBO special called “Face Off” a back and forth between the two fighters moderated by announcer Max Kellerman. If past is prelude, it seemed likely the HBO special would be significantly more exciting than the fight itself. The 46-year-old Hopkins is one of the most cautious and defensive fighters of his generation. Famous for his tactical and technical skills, Hopkins has never been one to light the world on fire. Until last night.

Behind the strength of a wicked lead right hand, Hopkins took the fight to Pascal for much of the 12 round title bout. It was like seeing a caterpillar transform before our very eyes. It was Tony Gwynn recast as a home run hitter, Wayne Gretzky eschewing the open man for a low percentage slap shot. This was, well, Bernard Hopkins seeking glory and glamour beneath the bright lights, no longer content to win a boring decision.

History was made Saturday night when Bernard Hopkins (52-5-2, 32 KO) defeated Jean Pascal (26-2-1, 16 KO) to become the oldest man to ever win a major boxing championship. But Hopkins isn’t done yet. During his in-ring post-fight interview, Hopkins made it clear that he intended to keep fighting until he was close to 50. We do know that Hopkins has two more HBO fights on his contract, so it’s a certainty that we’ll see him fight at least through 2012.

Hopkins’ next opponent will be “Bad” Chad Dawson (30-1, 17 KO). Dawson rebounded from his first ever career loss, a technical decision against Pascal in August 2010, by picking up a decision win over Adrian Diaconu on the undercard of the Pascal/Hopkins bout.

Bernard Hopkins made history at the Bell Centre in Montreal by becoming the oldest man in boxing history to win a major world championship. Hopkins bested defending light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal by unanimous decision in the rematch of their controversial December 2010 bout. Heading into the night the record for the oldest man to win a boxing title was held by George Foreman for his KO of Michael Moorer.

Hopkins came out to start the fight in his usual form, taking it easy in the early rounds and looking to figure out the rhythm of the fight while the always aggressive Pascal came forward throwing hard shots. In round four it was Pascal that landed a hard punch early that appeared to hurt Hopkins. Unlike their first bout, a fight which saw Bernard knocked down twice, Hopkins was able to stay on his feet and avoid taking too much damage. Starting with round five, the complexion of the fight changed.

The final round was more of what the fight had been to that point. Hopkins attempted to keep Pascal from landing, but this time Pascal was able to land a few punches in a flurry before Hopkins came back with a shot of his own.

Suddenly a hard right hand stunned Hopkins but Bernard was able to clinch up and walk around the ring and remain on his feet. Pascal did not follow up when he had his much older foe on rubber legs and it allowed Hopkins to survive to the final bell in a fight that it appeared Bernad had clearly won.

At the Bell Centre in Montreal, the 46-year-old Bernard Hopkins was attempting to become the oldest man to ever win a major boxing championship. Standing in his way was the man he fought to a controversial draw in Decmeber, Jean Pascal.

Pascal was clearly desperate as the bout hit the championship rounds. Hopkins had taken the bout over with his jab and right hands while using defense to take away Pascal’s offense. Pascal’s best effort through the round was wading forward and making it clear that he was trying, but he wasn’t landing clean punches.

At the Bell Centre in Montreal, the 46-year-old Bernard Hopkins was attempting to become the oldest man to ever win a major boxing championship. Standing in his way was the man he fought to a controversial draw in Decmeber, Jean Pascal.

Both men came out in the tenth round looking to establish their jabs. Pascal would find a left hook and an uppercut early in the round, looking to find some answer to the timing and rough style of Hopkins.

At the Bell Centre in Montreal, the 46-year-old Bernard Hopkins was attempting to become the oldest man to ever win a major boxing championship. Standing in his way was the man he fought to a controversial draw in Decmeber, Jean Pascal.

Early in round nine Hopkins would land a punch as Pascal slipped that appeared to be a knockdown. The referee called it a slip and allowed the action to continue, but it didn’t stop Bernard from going back to his right hand.

At the Bell Centre in Montreal, the 46-year-old Bernard Hopkins was attempting to become the oldest man to ever win a major boxing championship. Standing in his way was the man he fought to a controversial draw in Decmeber, Jean Pascal.

Round eight of the fight saw Pascal visibly tiring while Hopkins continued to pressure his foe. Hopkins would drill Pascal with a right hand that stunned him badly. As the round wore on it was Hopkins continuing to return to the right hand over and over.

At the Bell Centre in Montreal, the 46-year-old Bernard Hopkins was attempting to become the oldest man to ever win a major boxing championship. Standing in his way was the man he fought to a controversial draw in Decmeber, Jean Pascal.

Before the start of round seven, Hopkins dropped down and started doing push-ups to continue getting in Pascal’s head. Then, once the round started, he tagged Pascal with a hard right hand. By this point in the fight it was clear that Pascal was having trouble mentally with Bernard, but his physical gifts were keeping him in the fight.

At the Bell Centre in Montreal, the 46-year-old Bernard Hopkins was attempting to become the oldest man to ever win a major boxing championship. Standing in his way was the man he fought to a controversial draw in Decmeber, Jean Pascal.

As round six started, the point of the fight where Hopkins had clearly taken over the first fight had come and it did appear that Hopkins’ work rate was increasing while Pascal was slightly fading. The straight right hand became a weapon for Bernard over the round.

At the Bell Centre in Montreal, the 46-year-old Bernard Hopkins was attempting to become the oldest man to ever win a major boxing championship. Standing in his way was the man he fought to a controversial draw in Decmeber, Jean Pascal.

After being stunned at the end of round four Hopkins attempted to keep the early minute slow but it was Pascal coming forward throwing a very hard body shot and then a solid right hand. Hopkins got dirty as is his style and lead with his head, landing a headbutt which led to Pascal clinching. It was the kind of dirty action that is to be expected as the rounds wear on.

At the Bell Centre in Montreal, the 46-year-old Bernard Hopkins was attempting to become the oldest man to ever win a major boxing championship. Standing in his way was the man he fought to a controversial draw in Decmeber, Jean Pascal.

Round four saw the fighters continue to exchange early on before Pascal landed some very hard shots as the round got to roughly the half-way point. Hopkins was forced to react but did not get hurt badly.

At the Bell Centre in Montreal, the 46-year-old Bernard Hopkins was attempting to become the oldest man to ever win a major boxing championship. Standing in his way was the man he fought to a controversial draw in Decmeber, Jean Pascal.

Round three saw the action, which had been slow for the first two rounds, pick up. Pascal drilled Hopkins early in the round getting Bernard’s attention. Just a few seconds later, it was Hopkins landing a brutally hard right hand that appeared to hurt Pascal.

At the Bell Centre in Montreal, the 46-year-old Bernard Hopkins was attempting to become the oldest man to ever win a major boxing championship. Standing in his way was the man he fought to a controversial draw in Decmeber, Jean Pascal.

Round two saw an aggressive Pascal looking to throw hard while Hopkins seemed content to be a little more careful and pick his shots. Hopkins continued to wait on Pascal to come to him as the round wore on and Jean continued to stalk. An accidental headbutt came late in the round and then a wildly missed punch from Pascal.

At the Bell Centre in Montreal, the 46-year-old Bernard Hopkins was attempting to become the oldest man to ever win a major boxing championship. Standing in his way was the man he fought to a controversial draw in Decmeber, Jean Pascal.

The opening round saw both men patiently move around the ring getting a feel for the fight. Pascal walked forward while Hopkins circled on the outside with Pascal occasionally lunging in looking to land a power punch. Late in the round Pascal would land a right hand to the head and a solid right to the body as a follow up.

On the undercard of the rematch between Jean Pascal and Bernard Hopkins, Chad Dawson returned to the ring for the first time since his August 2010 loss to the evening’s main eventer, Pascal. Standing in the opposite corner was Adrian Diaconu. It was believed by many heading into the night that a Dawson win would have “Bad” Chad in line to face the Pascal/Hopkins winner.

The much taller Dawson looked to use his jab through the early rounds. When Dawson would see fit to open up with his offense he would occasionally leave himself open to the counter power shots of Diaconu. Still, the biggest shot of the first half of the fight was a hard left hook from Dawson that stunned Diaconu at the end of round two.

↵Via Dan McQuade

SB Nation’s live coverage of the Bernard Hopkins (51-5-2, 32 KO) vs. Jean Pascal (26-1-1, 16 KO) rematch will start at 10 p.m. ET. The bout, as well as a light heavyweight undercard clash between “Bad” Chad Dawson and Adrian Diaconu will be shown live on HBO. The main event bout between Hopkins and Pascal is a rematch of their controversial December 2010 bout which ended in a draw.

The bout takes place at the Bell Centre in Montreal. The Haitian born French-Canadian Pascal has fought 6 previous times at the Bell Centre, compiling a 6-0 record with two of those wins coming by knockout.