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BERNARD HOPKINS DROPS BEIBUT SHUMENOV EN ROUTE TO DOMINANT SPLIT DECISION VICTORY

By Ben Thompson | April 20, 2014
BERNARD HOPKINS DROPS BEIBUT SHUMENOV EN ROUTE TO DOMINANT SPLIT DECISION VICTORY

Future Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins proved that he's still great, even at the age of 49, dropping the much younger Beibut Shumenov en route to a split decision victory at the DC Armory in Washington, DC. Once again, Hopkins defied Father Time, making it look easy with a dominant performance. Controlling the pace of the fight behind a stiff jab and well-timed counters, Hopkins never let Shumenov get into any type of rhythm. By the middle of the fight, it was clear that Hopkins was in total control. A right hand in the 11th round that sent Shumenov to the canvas seemed to put an exclamation point on the performance, but somehow, one of the judges thought the fight was much closer than it really was. In the end, the official scorecards were 116-111 (Hopkins), 114-113 (Shumenov), and 116-111 (Hopkins), making Hopkins the unified IBF & WBA light heavyweight champion. Relive all the action in FightHype's round-by-round results.

ROUND 1
They trade jabs. Shumenov jabbing to the body. Hopkins just circling and not throwing. Shumenov jabs to the body. They trade jabs. More jabs to the body for Shumenov. Not much action. They trade jabs. Round to Shumenov.

Hopkins 9 Shumenov 10

ROUND 2
Hopkins gets in a right to the body. They trade jabs. Double jab from Hopkins and BIG MISS with a wild right hand. Shumenov lands some shots to the body. They trade jabs. Now they trade rights. Again, not much action so far. They trade a few shots on the inside. Jab lands for Shumenov. They trade a few shots at the bell. Round to Shumenov.

Hopkins 18 Shumenov 20

ROUND 3
They trade jabs. Shumenov lands a left. Hopkins lands a jab. Left lands for Shumenov. Looping overhand right lands for Hopkins. Best punch of the night. Jab lands for Hopkins. Hopkins digs some shots to the body. They trade jabs. STIFF jab lands for Hopkins. Shumenov gets in his jab. Right cross lands for Hopkins. Shumenov gets in a right himself. Round to Hopkins.

Hopkins 28 Shumenov 29

ROUND 4
They trade jabs. Hopkins lands a right. 1-2 lands for Hopkins. HARD counter right lands for Hopkins. Right and a left lands for Hopkins. Another right lands for Hopkins. Shumenov lands a jab. Chopping right lands for Hopkins again. Shumenov has no answer for that punch. He keeps walking into it. Hopkins sticks his tongue out and taunts Shumenov. Shumenov digs a 1-2 to the body. Hopkis counters with a right. Round to Hopkins.

Hopkins 38 Shumenov 38

ROUND 5
Left hook lands for Shumenov. Hopkins digs to the body. Another left hook gets in for Shumenov. Nice right followed by a couple of lefts land for Hopkins. They trade jabs. HARD right hand from Hopkins rocks the head of Shumenov. Jab lands for Hopkins. Nice right lands for Hopkins. Round to Hopkins.

Hopkins 48 Shumenov 47

ROUND 6
Hopkins has Shumenov fighting his fight. Jabs land for Shumenov. Nice counter right cross lands for Hopkins. Stiff jab lands for Hopkins. Another right lands for Hopkins. Jab lands for Hopkins. Right hand lands for Hopkins. Another right lands for Hopkins, followed by a nice left hook. Round to Hopkins.

Hopkins 58 Shumenov 56

ROUND 7
Both fighters trade some shots to the body. Right hand lands for Hopkins. They trade jabs. Again. Lead right lands for Hopkins and they clinch. Stiff jab lands for Hopkins. Another jab followed by a nice right lands for Hopkins. Shumenov just following and landing an occasional jab. Right lands for Hopkins. They trade jabs. Round to Hopkins.

Hopkins 68 Shumenov 65

ROUND 8
Shumenov partially lands a left hook upstairs. Hopkins counters with a left hook. They trade jabs. Right and a left lands for Hopkins. Hard left hook lands for Hopkins. Shumenov lands a jab, but Hopkins lands a harder one. Big overhand right lands for Hopkins. Another right lands for Hopkins. Shumenov gets in a right. They trade jabs. 1-2 lands for Hopkins. Left hook lands for Hopkins. Round to Hopkins.

Hopkins 78 Shumenov 74

ROUND 9
Shumenov gets in a combo. Counter right lands for Hopkins. Nice right lands for Hopkins. Another right gets in for Hopkins. Shumenov not very active. Shumenov grazes him with a left. Left hook lands for Hopkins. Stiff jab lands for Hopkins. They trade jabs. Overhand right and a left lands for Hopkins. Round to Hopkins.

Hopkins 88 Shumenov 83

ROUND 10
Right hand lands for Hopkins. Shumenov lands a right. Hopkins lands some counter shots. Overhand right lands for Shumenov. Shumenov peppers him with some lefts. Hopkins lands a right cross. Shumenov lands a right. Counter right cross lands for Hopkins. Another right lands for Hopkins. Two counter rights land for Hopkins. Round to Hopkins.

Hopkins 98 Shumenov 92

ROUND 11
Hopkins flurries to the body. HUGE right hand lands for Hopkins and Shumenov is down. He's up and take the count. Hopkins is patient. Jab lands for Hopkins. Nice hook lands for Hopkins and Shumenov holds on. The crowd is chanting, "B-Hop! B-Hop! B-Hop!" Another lead left hook lands for Hopkins. They trade some shots on the inside. Hopkins waves Shumenov into the corner. 1-2 from Shumenov, but he eats a left hook from Hopkins. Round to Hopkins.

Hopkins 108 Shumenov 100

ROUND 12
Nice right lands for Hopkins. Stiff jab lands for Hopkins. Another stiff jab lands for Hopkins. HARD counter right lands for Hopkins. Hopkins pours it on and digs to the body. Hopkins taunts him. Leaping left hook lands for Hopkins. Shumenov misses. Hopkins lands some jabs. They trade on the inside. Round to Hopkins.

Hopkins 118 Shumenov 109

Official judges scorecards: 116-111 (Hopkins), 114-113 (Shumenov), 116-111 (Hopkins)

THE WINNER BY SPLIT DECISION...BERNARD HOPKINS



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