-
Advertisement
SportOther Sport

Bernard Hopkins becomes oldest boxer to win major title

The 48-year-old Hopkins scored a 12-round unanimous decision over Tavoris Cloud to claim the IBF light heavyweight championship on Saturday night.

Reading Time:1 minute
Why you can trust SCMP
Bernard Hopkins (right) connects with a right hook against Tavoris Cloud. Photo: Reuters

Bernard Hopkins became the oldest boxer to win a major title on Saturday night, scoring a 12-round unanimous decision over Tavoris Cloud to claim the IBF light heavyweight championship.

The 48-year-old Hopkins broke the record he set by beating Jean Pascal for the WBC light heavyweight title on May 21, 2011.

Hopkins improved to 53-6-2 in the main event of an eight-fight card at the Barclays Center. It was his 29th title bout. The 30-year-old Cloud fell to 19-1.

Advertisement

With Hopkins forcing a patient, technical match, Cloud was unable to press the issue and Hopkins circled him, landing jabs to his face, eventually opening a cut above his left eye.

Hopkins connected on 169 of 417 punches. Cloud landed 139 of 650.

Advertisement

Keith Thurman won the WBO intercontinental welterweight title with a 12 round, unanimous decision over Jan Zaveck. Thurman improved to 20-0 and Zaveck fell to 32-3.

Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x