Date:21/02/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/02/21/stories/2005022106611600.htm

Sport - Boxing

At 40, Hopkins defends for 20th straight time

LOS ANGELES, FEB. 20. At the age of 40, Bernard Hopkins successfully defended his middleweight title for the 20th time on Saturday with a unanimous 12-round decision over Howard Eastman.

Hopkins overcame his usual slow start to dominate the fight, keeping his undisputed middleweight title with a lopsided win over the game but outclassed Eastman.

In a fight that was booed by many at the Staples Center, Hopkins won easily on all three ringside scorecards to remain unbeaten in the last 11 years.

``It's an accomplishment I wanted ever since I got to 10 or 11 defences,'' Hopkins said. ``He gave some good shots but I gave some good shots back.''

The fight was the first for Hopkins since turning 40, an age when most fighters have long left the ring. But he appeared to be the fresher fighter in the later rounds as he used an unorthodox but effective style to win the fight.

One judge had the fight 119-110 in favour of Hopkins, while a second had it 117-111. The third judge had the fight 116-112.

It was the first middleweight title fight in Los Angeles since Sugar Ray Robinson and Gene Fullmer fought to a draw in 1960, and though it was lacking in excitement at times, there was no question who won the fight.

No question that is, except from Eastman, who complained he should have been given more credit for pursuing Hopkins much of the fight. — AP