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The maiden WBC light heavyweight title defense of Bernard Hopkins against Chad Dawson ended in an unexpected manner last evening at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
The first round was a cautious affair as the taller Dawson was unable to close distance on the 46 year old champion, who used experienced footwork to circle away from the mild pressure being applied by southpaw Dawson.
Hopkins was the first to strike, leaping forward with his trademark lead right hand that scored, followed immediately by Hopkins’ head and roughhouse tactics on the inside but Dawson was able to break away from the old master.
Already frustrated at Hopkins’ reluctance to engage, at one point Dawson dropped his hands only to be greeted by a barrage of leather as Hopkins rushed in.
Dawson did have a good moment near the end of the round when Hopkins was pinned to the ropes and nailed with a short left to the head.
The challenger upped his pressure in the second and managed to close distance behind the jab, with Hopkins skirting away from trouble and taking advantage of any moments, such as trying to push Dawson over when the fighter’s arms became tangled.
During one of the sporadic exchanges, Hopkins got in a good body shot but Dawson scored with a nice right hook.
The final moment of the bout came when Dawson ducked a right from Hopkins and then threw the champion to the canvas. Hopkins landed on his left arm, nearly out of the ring, and could not continue due to injury, which was later declared to be a separation of the AC joint, which connects the Shoulder Blade to the Collar Bone.
Referee Pat Russell ruled that there was no foul and that the bout had ended via technical knockout as Hopkins could not continue.
Expect a WBC mandated rematch due to the dubious outcome of the bout.
Dawson regains the WBC light heavyweight title and improves to 31-1 (18), while Hopkins falls to 52-6-2 (32).
The undercard saw Antonio DeMarco, 26-2-1 (19), capture the vacant WBC lightweight crown with an 11th round stoppage of Jorge Linares, 31-2 (20).
Ex-WBC feather and WBA super feather champ Linares was in command for the first half of the contest, outboxing DeMarco on the outside but after suffering cuts around the eyes was forced to fight and was halted at 2:32 of the 11th.
Light welter Danny Garcia, 22-0 (14), outfought former WBO titlist Kendall Holt, 27-5 (15), via 12 round split decision to win the vacant WBO Intercontinental strap.
Former IBF light welter titlist Paulie Malignaggi, 30-4 (6), won a wide ten round points verdict over Orlando Lora, 28-2-1 (19), at welterweight but ex-WBA welter titlist Luis Collazo, 31-5 (16), was dropped along the way to losing a ten rounder via unanimous decision to Freddy Hernandez, 30-2 (20), at light middle.
