Lights shining down, thousands of fans cheering, and history waiting to be made.
In one corner, Pascal, a young champion ready to defend his honor. In the other, Hopkins, a legend aiming to shatter a record and show the world that age is just a number.
In the rematch known as Pascal vs Hopkins 2, held on May 21, 2011, Bernard Hopkins won by unanimous decision against Jean Pascal. This victory at the Bell Centre in Montreal made Hopkins, at 46, the oldest boxer to win a world championship, surpassing George Foreman’s record.
Get ready to relive the excitement, the drama, and the historic victory that captivated boxing fans around the world.
Background to the Rematch
Before Bernard Hopkins and Jean Pascal faced off for the second time, there was a lot of talk and drama.
Their first fight ended in a draw, which means neither fighter was declared the winner.
Many people who watched the fight thought this decision was unfair. They believed Hopkins had done enough to win.
This outcome set the stage for a highly anticipated rematch between the two.
The World Boxing Council (WBC) stepped in three weeks after their first fight. They ordered Pascal and Hopkins to fight again.
This decision was important because Pascal, who was the light heavyweight champion, might have had to give up his title if he didn’t agree to the rematch.
Pascal had won his title from Chad Dawson and was supposed to fight him again due to a clause in their contract. But the WBC’s decision meant Pascal had to face Hopkins once more before any fight with Dawson could happen.
This rematch wasn’t just another fight.
For Bernard Hopkins, it was a chance to make history. At 46 years old, he was trying to become the oldest man ever to win a world championship in boxing.
The record was held by George Foreman, who won a heavyweight title at 45. Hopkins wanted to break this record and prove that age is just a number when it comes to boxing.
For Jean Pascal, the rematch was a chance to clear any doubts.
Some people thought he didn’t deserve to keep his title after the draw with Hopkins. Winning this fight would prove he was a true champion.
The rematch had a lot at stake for both fighters. Hopkins was chasing history, and Pascal was fighting to protect his reputation and titles.
Fight Night: A Detailed Recap
The rematch between Bernard Hopkins and Jean Pascal was held at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada. The atmosphere was electric, with a record-breaking crowd of 17,560 fans filling the arena.
Everyone was excited to see if Hopkins could make history or if Pascal would defend his title successfully.
Early Rounds (1-3)
At the beginning of the fight, both Hopkins and Pascal were careful, studying each other instead of throwing many punches.
They were “feeling each other out,” which means they were trying to understand how the other fights without taking too many risks.
By the third round, Hopkins began to show his experience. He started finding success with his right hand, landing punches that shook Pascal and showed the crowd he was there to win.
Middle Rounds (4-6)
As the fight moved into the middle rounds, things got more intense.
Hopkins and Pascal exchanged more punches, trying to gain an advantage. During these rounds, the referee had to step in to warn both fighters about following the rules, which added to the drama.
Before the seventh round started, Hopkins did something unexpected: he did pushups in the ring. This was a psychological tactic, showing Pascal and the fans that he was still strong and not tired at all.
Final Rounds (7-12)
Hopkins’ confidence was high, and it showed in his performance.
Pascal tried to regain control of the fight, landing some strong punches in the later rounds.
However, Hopkins’ experience and strategy were too much for the younger fighter. Hopkins managed to dodge many of Pascal’s attacks and kept landing his own punches.
The fight ended with both fighters waiting for the judges’ decision.
The Verdict: Hopkins Makes History
After 12 rounds of intense fighting, it was time to hear the judges’ decision. Everyone in the Bell Centre was on the edge of their seats. The judges had watched the fight closely, and their scores would decide who won.
They scored the fight 116-112, 115-113, and 115-114, all in favor of Bernard Hopkins. This meant Hopkins won the match by unanimous decision, which is when all the judges agree on who the winner is.
Bernard Hopkins couldn’t hide his joy when he heard he won. He raised his arms in victory, smiling and celebrating.
At 46 years old, he had done something no one else in boxing history had done before.
He became the oldest man to win a world championship, breaking the record set by George Foreman, who was 45 when he won a heavyweight title. Foreman was a legend in boxing, and his record had stood for many years.
Hopkins’ win was not just a personal victory; it was a historic moment for the sport of boxing.
Hopkins’ achievement showed that age is just a number when it comes to achieving greatness. His victory was a result of hard work, determination, and smart planning.
Hopkins had always been known for his excellent boxing skills and mental toughness. By winning this fight, he proved that an older athlete could still compete at the highest levels and win against younger opponents.
Post-Fight Reflections
After the fight, both Bernard Hopkins and Jean Pascal shared their thoughts with the world.
Pascal showed a lot of respect for Hopkins, saying, “Bernard fought a great fight. He is a great champion. He has a really good defense and a lot of tricks. I’m a young fighter and I’m green. I was a young champion. These two fights [against Hopkins] will lead me to the next level. I learned a lot from Bernard and his style.”
Pascal’s words highlighted his admiration for Hopkins and how he viewed the experience as a learning opportunity to improve his own skills.
George Foreman, a boxing legend, also shared his excitement about Hopkins’ victory.
He said, “I was on the edge of my seat every round. It was such an exciting fight. Bernard was the better athlete, the smarter fighter and in the better condition.”
Foreman’s comments pointed out Hopkins’ superior strategy and conditioning, which were key to his historic win.
Bernard Hopkins’ victory was largely due to his strategic approach to the fight. He was not just physically prepared; he was mentally ahead of Pascal.
Hopkins used psychological tactics, like doing pushups before Round 7, to show he was not tired and to get into Pascal’s head. His ability to dodge Pascal’s punches and counterattack effectively showed his deep understanding of the sport and his opponent.
Pascal’s performance was strong, but he struggled to overcome Hopkins’ experience and tactics. This loss was a significant moment in Pascal’s career, but it wasn’t the end.
Instead, it was a chance for him to grow. Pascal acknowledged that fighting Hopkins was a learning experience that could help him become a better boxer in the future.