Bernard Hopkins beats Karo Murat to defend light-heavyweight title

bbc.co.uk

American Bernard Hopkins retained his IBF light-heavyweight belt with a unanimous points victory over Germany's Karo Murat to become the oldest fighter to defend a world title.

Hopkins, 48, started slowly but hurt his 30-year-old opponent in the seventh round in Atlantic City.

He could not secure a first stoppage in nine years, but won 119-108, 119-108 and 117-110 on the judges' scorecards.

The former middleweight champion has 54 career wins, six losses and two draws.

Defeat to compatriot Chad Dawson in 2012 saw Hopkins lose his WBC light-heavyweight titles, but a unanimous points victory over Tavoris Cloud in New York six months later broke his own previous record as the oldest champion in boxing history.

Murat, whose only previous loss in 24 fights came against Nathan Cleverly, is the current holder of the WBO Inter-Continental light-heavyweight title, but failed to build on a solid start against Hopkins at the Boardwalk Hall.

A solid left hand by Murat in the third round served as a warning for Hopkins, who drew roars from the crowd in the fifth when he appeared to kiss his opponent on the neck during a clinch.

Murat, fighting in the USA for the first time, was warned for punching the champion after a slip in the sixth and was visibly hurt one round later when Hopkins followed shots with his right and left hands with a body shot.

Now in full control, Philadelphia based Hopkins cut the Armenian-born Murat in the eighth, before closing out a comfortable points victory with another damaging right hand in the final round.
 

Source:  www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/boxing/24690892

Hopkins beats Murat by unanimous decision, retains IBF 175-pound belt

by Doug Fischer  -  ringtv.craveonline.com

Bernard Hopkins retained his IBF light heavyweight title with a one-sided unanimous decision over Karo Murat on Saturday in Atlantic City, N.J. The 48-year-old Hopkins, who won by scores of 117-110 and 119-108 (twice), was often the busier boxer.

"I'm a freakin' alien," Hopkins (54-6-2, 32 knockouts) said after the fight when asked how he continues to do what he does at such an advanced age.

In truth, he took advantage of an average mandatory challenger. Murat (25-2-1, 15 KOs) was game and he started the bout fast, but his basic skill set and style -- as well as his mediocre speed and power -- opened the door for Hopkins to become the aggressor in spots during the second half of the fight once he got into his rythm.

"He didn't bring out the best in me but he didn't bring out the worst," said Hopkins, who controlled the fight with his usual ring generalship and stalling tactics but also more antics and rough stuff than usual.

In rounds eight and nine, the two light heavyweights engaged in many heated exchanges that got a rise out of the crowd. Murat stepped up his aggression and activity in the 10th round, forcing Hopkins to stand his ground, but the veteran resumed control of the bout with lateral movement in the 11th round and won the final round soundly as the 30-year-old German challenger was clearly out of gas.

Hopkins said he would look for "super fights" next and indicated that he's willing to go down in weight to make them happen

Source:  ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/181591-hopkins-beats-murat-by-unanimous-decision-retains-ibf-175-pound-belt