5:47 PM
john rey
Rematch on the cards after Hopkins ruled out injured
Bernard Hopkins’ first defence of the WBC light-heavyweight title descended into farce at The Staples Center in Los Angeles after challenger Chad Dawson, 29, picked up the elder champion in the second round causing him to fall awkwardly onto the ring apron and damage his shoulder.
The incident followed a cagey opening round and amazingly referee Pat Russell failed to rule what looked like a wrestling move a foul. After much deliberation and confusion, the bout was called a technical knockout and Dawson picked up the green belt to the amazement of the Californian crowd.
46 year-old Hopkins looked stunned as the decision was read out and called for a rematch with the new champion who announced that he would now target Jean Pascal to avenge his only loss.
“Of course he was faking it,” stated Dawson. “He fell on his back, how did he hurt his shoulder?”
“I want Pascal. He’ll be 47 by the time of a rematch so no, I don’t want to fight him again.”
Hopkins then blamed the referee for not calling the foul but was still confused how he could lose his title without being hit by a punch.
“It should have been a no contest,” said Hopkins angrily. “If they want me out of boxing this is the way to do it.”
“Bad” Chad improves to 31-1 whilst Hopkins drops his sixth loss in 61 contests and seemingly has nowhere to go without a rematch.
One possibility could be a WBO challenge against the other winner on the night Nathan Cleverly, with Frank Warren keen on bringing ‘The Executioner’ over to the UK.
The main event certainly lived up to it's name 'Believe it or not!'
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