Hopkins defeats Tarver to Conclude His Final Chapter

This past Saturday night at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ , Larry Holmes turned the clock for the last time, re-securing his already established legacy with a lopsided unanimous win over the recognized light heavyweight champion, Ray Mercer.

Oops, did I say Larry Holmes and Ray Mercer? I meant Bernard Hopkins and Antonio Tarver.

But it might as well have been the same fight.

Hopkins, who vowed his retirement before the bout, finished his illustrious career (at least for now) in a way only fighters could dream of – to go out on top.

Tarver, who prior to the fight, called himself ‘the legend killer’, might think once or twice about changing his moniker. Because Saturday night, the legend struck, and it prevailed.

From the opening bell, it was Hopkins who initiated the first attack. Catching Tarver with his trademark ‘penitentiary right’, the forty one year-old Philadelphian quickly told – He’s not about to get old over night.

At a bulking 175lbs, Hopkins was indeed a light heavyweight. Displaying his superior skills and great ring generalship, this bout turned out to be a mismatch.

Watching from ringside, I felt nervous from the opening round. As Hopkins boldly dove in his with his right, I thought at any moment, Tarver could’ve landed his devastating counter.

Then I thought to myself. Unlike Roy Jones, Hopkins has that chin. And unlike Roy , Hopkins relies on his skills and technique more so than his god-given talent.

Surprisingly, Tarver showed a lot of respect from the beginning. Perhaps that was his downfall, because he was never in the fight.

My scorecard began to pileup and by the 5th round. I had only given a round for Tarver, which I thought was generous of me. Tarver continuously searched for his straight left, but Bernard was like a worm, slipping and dodging. Reminiscent of a young Pernell Whitaker, Hopkins was just too elusive. Unable to miss with his clubbing right, Hopkins nailed Tarver with the same shot he caught Felix Trinidad in September of 2001. Tarver, reeling across the ring, held himself from going down with his glove, but officially, it was a knockdown.

The fight was over there and then. For the remaining rounds, Hopkins controlled and dictated with his continuing rights and even managed to push the bigger man around.

The clinic continued throughout the later rounds. By the ninth, Hopkins was no longer tentative. Jabbing, countering, leaning, and clinching, Hopkins sustained full control.

After a series of hard uppercuts on the inside and the punishing blows to the body, Tarver’s long legs began to wobble. Right eye nearly closed, Tarver appeared to be done. The old man tried his best for a knockout, but the Magic Man’s pride and heart would allow him to finish.

Towards the end of twelfth and final round, Hopkins received a standing ovation from the 10,200 Atlantic City crowd.

The decision was unanimous 118-109, all in favor of the NEW light heavyweight champion.

As a long time middleweight champion, with an all-time record of 20 title defenses, the Executioner, has undoubtedly matched the likes of the Haglers, Monzons, and Robinsons.

And most notably, Hopkins pulled off, what none of the three aforementioned greats have achieved. To move up two weight classes and capturing the light heavyweight crown.

Amazingly enough, he did it at the age of FORTY-FREAKING-ONE.

In arguably one of the greatest performances of his career, Hopkins can proudly walk away from the sport without a bitter taste in his mouth.

Happy endings are never meant for this sport. But to paraphrase Hopkins trainer, Nazim Richardson – From top to bottom, we have Ricardo Lopez, Lennox Lewis, and now, Bernard Hopkins who finished their career at the top. Hopefully, the younger generation could follow a similar path.