Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor
WBN Editor
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!'
The main event certainly lived up to it's name 'Believe it or not!'
.