Joe Calzaghe climbed off the canvas to claim a split-decision victory against Bernard Hopkins at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Big Joe climbs off the canvas to claim a split-decision victory
Joe Calzaghe climbed off the canvas to claim a split-decision victory against Bernard Hopkins at the Thomas & Mack Center.
The Welshman was floored after 70 seconds, however he moved through the gears to ensure his unbeaten record remained intact - with Calzaghe becoming the No.1 light-heavyweight in the world in the process.
Calzaghe had struggled to find a way through Hopkins' defence in the early rounds, but he continued to push forward, with his work-rate eventually wearing the 43-year-old down.
Judge Ted Gimza and Chuck Giampa awarded the fight to Calzaghe by 115-112 and 116-111 respectively; Adelaide Byrd gave it 114-113 to Hopkins.
"I knew this wouldn't look pretty," Calzaghe said. "He's so awkward.
"He gave me some good shots. It wasn't my best night, but I won the fight. The world title in a second division and a win in America is just icing on the cake for my career.
Defensive
"I had to let the punches go as the fight wore on.
"He was very defensive. I was only hurt one time, but he never caught me with a clean punch. It was the toughest fight of my career. He's very clever. I'm very proud."
Calzaghe, who was floored by a sneaky right, landed 33 per cent of his 707 punches, while Hopkins connected with 27 per cent of his 468 blows
Almost inevitably, Hopkins felt he had done enough to be awarded the fight, claiming: "I just really feel like I took the guy to school.
"I feel like I made him fight my fight, not his.
"I wanted him to run into my shots. I think I made him do that, and I think I made it look pretty easy.
"I think I controlled the pace, and I controlled the fight. I think it was an old-school execution. He really wasn't landing his shots. Maybe if he threw five or six, one or two landed if he was lucky."
