Kelly Pavlik vs Bernard Hopkins (VIDEO)

Kelly Pavlik vs Bernard Hopkins (VIDEO) link

Bernard Hopkins has been boxing for so long that it is difficult to imagine him doing something new. But he did just that Saturday night.

Channeling 20 years of experience and excellence, the 43-year-old Hopkins dominated Kelly Pavlik, who was 17 years younger, to score a unanimous decision victory at Boardwalk Hall on Saturday night. It was Pavlik’s first defeat in 35 fights.

Hopkins (49-5-1) stood along the ropes, his lips quivering with emotion after the final bell.

“I’m tired of proving myself,” Hopkins yelled toward the reporters seated ringside.

Indeed, he entered this fight as an underdog, with many people calling the upstart Pavlik the next big thing in boxing. But after 12 rounds, it was clear that Pavlik did not have enough experience or skills to beat Hopkins, the former undisputed middleweight world champion.

“Ninety percent of the media picked Pavlik and I always appreciate naysayers,” Hopkins said. “That’s what motivates me.”

Ever since Pavlik defeated Jermain Taylor with a thunderous knockout last year, he has been on a steady and somewhat unexpected rise up boxing’s ranks. Still, he entered Saturday night as a somewhat untested fighter.

Hopkins, a 20-year pro known as a master tactician, showed Pavlik had a long way to go. Hopkins, who said this was his best performance, picked apart Pavlik in the early rounds, reducing the younger, typically more active fighter to a standing target. Pavlik came into the fight intent on matching his usual 100-punches-per-round productivity, but he was tentative early....
Kelly Pavlik vs Bernard Hopkins (VIDEO)

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