At 42, Hopkins Is Still Champ

Light heavyweight steps out of retirement to defend his title
By Joseph Fasano,  Newser User
Posted Jul 23, 2007 6:54 AM CDT
At 42, Hopkins Is Still Champ
Bernard Hopkins, left, trades punches with Winky Wright during the 12th round of their boxing match at 170 pounds, Saturday July 21, 2007, in Las Vegas. Hopkins won by unanimous decision. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)   (Associated Press)

A 42-year-old Bernard Hopkins successfully defended his light heavyweight title against Winky Wright last night, taking the Vegas bout in a unanimous decision. It was a grueling return for Hopkins, who'd retired last year after grabbing the crown from Antonio Tarver. Though warned for one too many accidental head butts, Hopkins was never docked a point, and won 117-111, 117-111, 116-112.

"I won the fight," an angered Wright said afterwards, "He was head butting all day." The fight attracted attention earlier this week at the weigh-in, when Hopkins shoved Wright to initiate an inter-posse tussle. "It obviously manifested itself in the ring," said the champ, who says he's gunning for super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe. (More Bernard Hopkins stories.)

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