Bernard Hopkins facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bernard Hopkins
Hopkins in 2018
Statistics
Real name	Bernard Hopkins Jr.
Nickname(s)	The Executioner The Alien B-Hop
Rated at	Middleweight Light heavyweight
Height	6 ft 1 in
Reach	71 in
Born	(1965-01-15) January 15, 1965 (age 60) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	67
Wins	55
Wins by KO	32
Losses	8
Draws	2
No contests	2

Bernard Hopkins Jr. (born January 15, 1965) is an American former professional boxer. He competed from 1988 to 2016. Bernard is known as one of the most successful boxers of the last few decades. He won many world championships in two different weight classes. This includes being the undisputed champion at middleweight from 2001 to 2005. He was also the lineal champion at light heavyweight from 2011 to 2012.

Hopkins first became a world champion in 1995. He won the International Boxing Federation (IBF) middleweight title. He defended this title 20 times against 17 different boxers. In 2001, Hopkins brought together all the middleweight titles. He beat Félix Trinidad to win the World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Council (WBC), Ring magazine, and lineal titles.

In 2004, he beat Oscar De La Hoya for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) title. This made Hopkins the first male boxer to hold all four major boxing titles at the same time. In 2001, The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America named Hopkins "Fighter of the Year."

After losing his undisputed title in 2005, Hopkins found more success. In 2006, at 41 years old, he moved up to light heavyweight. He won the International Boxing Organization (IBO) and Ring titles from Antonio Tarver. In 2011, Hopkins became the oldest boxer ever to win a world championship. He was 46 years old when he beat Jean Pascal for the WBC and lineal light heavyweight titles. He broke George Foreman's record. Hopkins later broke his own record twice more. He won titles at ages 48 and 49.

Bernard Hopkins was nicknamed "The Executioner" and later "The Alien." People admired him for how long he stayed successful in boxing, even at an older age. He is seen as one of the greatest boxers of the modern time. He is also considered one of the best defensive boxers ever. Hopkins was a smart and defensive boxer. He used a style called Philly Shell. He had good speed, power, and counterpunching skills. He believed that mastering boxing basics and having a strong defense helped him have such a long career.

Early Life and New Beginnings

Bernard Hopkins grew up in Philadelphia. He started boxing as a young boy and won a championship at age 9. However, he also got into trouble. When he was 17, he was sent to Graterford Prison. While in prison, he decided to change his life. He found his love for boxing again. After almost five years, Hopkins was released in 1988. He chose to use boxing to escape his past life. He also became a Muslim. When he left prison, he promised himself he would never return. Hopkins later said his time in prison taught him discipline.

Professional Boxing Career

Middleweight Division

Starting Out

Hopkins began his professional boxing career as a light heavyweight. He lost his first fight on October 11, 1988. After a break, he returned as a middleweight in 1990. He then won 21 fights in a row without any losses. Many of these wins were by knockout.

First Title Shot

On May 22, 1993, Hopkins fought Roy Jones Jr. for the vacant IBF middleweight title. Hopkins lost this fight by a decision from the judges.

Becoming a World Champion

The IBF gave Hopkins another chance on December 17, 1994. He fought Segundo Mercado in Ecuador. The fight ended in a draw. Many thought the high altitude affected Hopkins. The IBF quickly set up a rematch. On April 29, 1995, Hopkins won the fight by a technical knockout in the seventh round. This made him a world champion.

He defended his IBF title many times. He beat strong boxers like John David Jackson, Glen Johnson, and former champion Simon Brown.

Unifying the Middleweight Titles

The 2001 Tournament

In 2001, a series of fights were planned to unite the middleweight titles. This included champions like Bernard Hopkins, Keith Holmes, William Joppy, and Félix Trinidad.

Hopkins vs. Holmes

On April 14, 2001, Hopkins won against WBC champion Keith Holmes. Many people thought Félix Trinidad was too strong for Hopkins after Trinidad won his fight impressively.

Hopkins vs. Trinidad

On September 29, 2001, Hopkins faced WBA champion Trinidad. This fight was for the undisputed middleweight championship. It took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Hopkins was not expected to win, so he even bet $100,000 on himself. During the promotion, Hopkins caused some controversy by throwing the Puerto Rico flag on the floor.

In the fight, Hopkins was winning clearly. In the 12th and final round, he knocked Trinidad down. The referee stopped the fight. This was Trinidad's first loss. Hopkins became the first undisputed world middleweight champion since Marvin Hagler in 1987.

He defended his undisputed title six times. He beat boxers like Carl Daniels, Morrade Hakkar, William Joppy, and Robert Allen.

Becoming a Four-Belt Champion

Hopkins vs. De La Hoya

On September 18, 2004, Hopkins fought Oscar De La Hoya in Las Vegas. This was the highest-paying fight of Hopkins's career. Hopkins won by knockout in the ninth round. He hit De La Hoya with a left hook to the body. This made Hopkins the first boxer ever to hold all four major world titles at the same time. Hopkins earned $10 million from this fight.

In 2004, Hopkins also became a partner in Golden Boy Promotions, a boxing company. At 40 years old, Hopkins set a record for 19 straight middleweight title defenses in February 2005. He beat Howard Eastman easily.

Hopkins vs. Taylor

On July 16, 2005, Hopkins lost his undisputed middleweight championship to Jermain Taylor. The judges made a split decision, meaning they didn't all agree. Many reporters thought Hopkins should have won. Five months later, they had a rematch, and Taylor won again.

Moving to Light Heavyweight

Hopkins vs. Tarver

After losing to Taylor, Hopkins, at 41, decided to move up two weight divisions. On June 10, 2006, he fought The Ring light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver. Tarver was favored to win, but Hopkins won by a clear decision from the judges.

Hopkins vs. Wright

On July 21, 2007, Hopkins defended his light heavyweight title against Winky Wright. Hopkins won by a unanimous decision.

Hopkins vs. Calzaghe

On April 19, 2008, Hopkins lost The Ring light heavyweight title to Joe Calzaghe. Hopkins started strong, even knocking Calzaghe down in the first round. But Calzaghe adapted and won by a split decision.

Hopkins vs. Pavlik

On October 18, 2008, Hopkins fought middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik. Many thought Pavlik would knock Hopkins out. But Hopkins gave one of the best performances of his career. He won by a unanimous decision against the undefeated Pavlik.

Hopkins vs. Jones II

Hopkins in 2010

Hopkins fought his old rival Roy Jones Jr. again on April 3, 2010. This was 17 years after their first fight. Hopkins won by a unanimous decision.

Hopkins vs. Pascal I & II

At 45 years old, Hopkins fought light-heavyweight champion Jean Pascal on December 18, 2010. The fight ended in a draw. Because of this, a rematch was set.

Hopkins (right) vs. Pascal, 2011

On May 21, 2011, Hopkins beat Pascal by unanimous decision. He won the WBC and The Ring light-heavyweight championships. With this win, Hopkins became the oldest person in boxing history to win a major world title. He was 46 years old.

Hopkins vs. Dawson I & II

Hopkins's next fight was against former champion Chad Dawson on October 15, 2011. Hopkins lost after injuring his shoulder. However, the boxing council later changed the result to a "no-contest" because of how the injury happened. A rematch was held on April 28, 2012, which Hopkins lost.

Hopkins Continues to Break Records

Hopkins returned to the ring on March 9, 2013. He fought IBF Light Heavyweight Champion Tavoris Cloud. Hopkins won by unanimous decision. He broke his own record again, becoming the oldest person to win a major world boxing title.

He defended his IBF title against Karo Murat on October 26, 2013, winning by unanimous decision.

Hopkins Unifies Titles Again

On April 19, 2014, Hopkins fought Beibut Shumenov to unify titles. Hopkins knocked Shumenov down in the 11th round. Hopkins won by a split decision. This made him the oldest boxer in history to unify titles in a weight division.

Hopkins vs. Kovalev

Hopkins at the U.S. Capitol, 2014

On November 8, 2014, Hopkins faced Sergey Kovalev. Hopkins was knocked down in the first round. He lost every round on the judges' scorecards. He lost his WBA Super and IBF titles to Kovalev.

Hopkins's Final Fight

Hopkins announced he would have one last fight before retiring. On December 17, 2016, he fought Joe Smith Jr. in California. In the 8th round, Smith Jr. knocked Hopkins out of the ring. Hopkins could not get back in, and the referee stopped the fight. Hopkins said he was pushed, but replays showed he was not. He confirmed this was his final fight, ending his 28-year career.

Coaches

Bernard Hopkins was coached by English "Bouie" Fisher from 1989 to 2002. They worked together again from 2003 to 2005. After that, Naazim Richardson, Fisher's assistant, became Hopkins's head coach.

Titles in Boxing

Major World Titles

• WBA (Unified, Undisputed, and Super) middleweight champion
• WBC middleweight champion
• IBF middleweight champion
• WBO middleweight champion
• WBA (Super) light heavyweight champion
• WBC light heavyweight champion
• IBF light heavyweight champion

The Ring Magazine Titles

• The Ring middleweight champion
• The Ring light heavyweight champion (2 times)

Other World Titles

• IBO light heavyweight champion
• IBA light heavyweight champion

Regional Titles

• USBA middleweight champion

Undisputed Titles

• Undisputed middleweight champion

Honorary Titles

• WBC Emeritus Champion
• WBC Diamond light heavyweight champion
• WBO Super Champion

Pay-per-view Bouts

See also

In Spanish: Bernard Hopkins (boxeador) para niños

• List of undisputed boxing champions
• List of middleweight boxing champions
• List of light heavyweight boxing champions
• List of WBA world champions
• List of WBC world champions
• List of IBF world champions
• List of WBO world champions
• List of IBO world champions
• List of The Ring world champions