Bernard Hopkins retains title in impressive fashion with win over Karo Murat

Bernard Hopkins, 48, retained his light heavyweight title with a convincing unanimous-decision victory over Karo Murat of Germany on Saturday night at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

Hopkins won by scores of 117-111 (Benoit Roussel), 119-110 (Julie Lederman) and 119-110 (Joseph Pasquale). The cards of Lederman and Pasquale seemed a bit off the mark as Murat seemed to deserve better than a nine-point deficit.

The excitement in a Hopkins fight has waned as the years have gone by, but this was very action-packed at times, particularly in the middle rounds when there were several  toe-to-toe exchanges.

Murat was cut twice over the left eye.

Hopkins (54-6-2) recently changed his nickname from “The Executioner” to “The Alien” and he entered the ring wearing a green alien outfit complete with mask. In the fifth round, he kissed Murat on the back of the head when Murat got turned around during a clinch.

Murat (25-2-1), who is 30, was later deducted a point for hitting on the break.

 

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One short Bernard Hopkins quote says a lot about the ageless wonder

Bernard Hopkins and others Wednesday played host to the final news conference for Hopkins’ light heavyweight title defense Saturday against Karo Murat of Germany at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City (on Showtime).

During the proceedings, Hopkins, 48, had many things to say. But one short line was perhaps the best of his dialogue.

“Saying, ‘I’m getting old,’ is getting old,” he said.

When Hopkins (53-6-2, 32 KOs) steps into the ring Saturday, he’ll be less than three months away from his 49th birthday, which is Jan. 15.

Murat, 30, is 25-1-1 with 15 knockouts. He has never fought in the U.S.

“It’s the first time for me to ever be in the United States,” Murat said. “It was (a) dream of mine to come and actually fight one day here, particularly against someone like Bernard Hopkins.”

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