Bernard Hopkins became a world champion for the first time in 1995 when he defeated Segundo Mercado to claim the IBF Middleweight title. Hopkins is pictured here defending his belt against American Joe Lipsey in March 1996.
Hitting the heights —
Bernard Hopkins became a world champion for the first time in 1995 when he defeated Segundo Mercado to claim the IBF Middleweight title. Hopkins is pictured here defending his belt against American Joe Lipsey in March 1996.
Hopkins (second from the left), holding his IBF middleweight championship belt, is pictured here alongside legendary boxing promoter Don King (center) at New York's Madison Square Garden in 2001. Also shown are WBC middleweight champion Keith Holmes (left), WBA belt holder Felix Trinidad Jr. and two-time WBA champion Williams Joppy.
King among kings —
Hopkins (second from the left), holding his IBF middleweight championship belt, is pictured here alongside legendary boxing promoter Don King (center) at New York's Madison Square Garden in 2001. Also shown are WBC middleweight champion Keith Holmes (left), WBA belt holder Felix Trinidad Jr. and two-time WBA champion Williams Joppy.
In 2004, Hopkins knocked out Oscar de la Hoya in the ninth round of their Las Vegas middleweight bout to become the first boxer to unify the belts of all four major sanctioning bodies.
Hopkins downs De La Hoya —
In 2004, Hopkins knocked out Oscar de la Hoya in the ninth round of their Las Vegas middleweight bout to become the first boxer to unify the belts of all four major sanctioning bodies.
In 1993, Hopkins lost to compatriot Roy Jones Jr. in a fight for the vacant IBF middleweight belt. Hopkins had his revenge 17 years later, when he scored a points win over Jones Jr. in their 2010 bout in Las Vegas.
Old foes —
In 1993, Hopkins lost to compatriot Roy Jones Jr. in a fight for the vacant IBF middleweight belt. Hopkins had his revenge 17 years later, when he scored a points win over Jones Jr. in their 2010 bout in Las Vegas.
Despite giving away 17 years in age to Canada's Jean Pascal, Hopkins beat the 29-year-old to become boxing's oldest world champion in May 2011.
Pascal pounded —
Despite giving away 17 years in age to Canada's Jean Pascal, Hopkins beat the 29-year-old to become boxing's oldest world champion in May 2011.