Robbery North of the border as Judges hold Hopkins to a draw against Pascal

Call the Mountie Police, because a robbery was committed at the Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City, Canada as Bernard Hopkins overcame two knockdowns to comeback and dominate the remainder of the other ten rounds and yet was held to a draw in an effort to wrestle the WBC Light Heavyweight title and a win would have sent Hopkins into the history books at the oldest man ever to win a major boxing championship.

Things did not start out well for Hopkins as at the end of round one he caught a counter left behind the head that sent him to the canvas for the first time in sixteen years. The shot was a debatable shot as it could have been ruled a Rabbit Punch. Hopkins steadied himself to begin his effective countering but that was interrupted in round three as Pascal caught Hopkins coming off the ropes with a left hand that dropped the legend for the second time in the first three frames. Hopkins showed his old tricks at the end of the round as he fired and landed three shots after the bell and the tone was now set for the rest of the fight as Pascal was much less aggressive and paid for it.

Over the next eight rounds the forty-five year old Hopkins put on a boxing clinic that even the best professors would not have a syllabus that would equal to what Hopkins was teach Pascal as he ripped hard body shots and straight right hands that had the eighteen years younger “champ” on his heels and having no answers to Professor Hopkins questions. Hopkins had trouble missing the baffled Pascal with any shots as he showed impressive handspeed for a man twenty-five let alone forty-five. Hopkins was so in control that after landing a hard right he stuck his tongue to Pascal. In the next round, a big right sent Pascal back towards the ropes and he appeared a bit dazed. Pascal showed little offense with the exception of an occasional uppercut on the inside that was sandwiched between Hopkins pinpoint shots that seemingly should have put rounds in the bank.

The twelfth round saw both guys go for the win as it was a close fight. The most telling shot may have saved Pascal’s belt as he landed a good right that landed on Hopkins head. Both guys fought hard until the bell sounded to the delight of the boisterous pro-Pascal sold out crowd.

The official scores read 114-112 Hopkins, 113-113 and 114-114. 15rounds.com card (off-tv) favored Hopkins 115-111.

Hopkins, 174 1/2 lbs of Philadelphia is now 51-5-2. Pascal, 174 1/2 lbs of Montreal may have received an early Christmas gift and is now 26-1-1.

“I got up and fought like a champion,” said Hopkins after the fight. “Look at his face. Look at mine.”

Clearly annoyed by the outcome, Hopkins said, “[I’ve] got no reaction. The world [has] seen it. I had the guy beat up.” He continued, “You don’t see Pascal jumping around happy. I am not going anywhere. You saw a young man in an old man’s body. I still have the fight in me.”

Proudly donning his Light Heavyweight belt, Pascal stated after the fight, “Of course I thought I won. I stood there. I dropped him twice. We’ve got fair judges in Canada.” Though he did admit, “That wasn’t my best fight.”

When asked about going another 12 rounds with The Executioner, Pascal responded, “If he wants a rematch, any time.” Hopkins later added, “The closest I will ever come to Canada again is Niagara Falls.”