The
Light-Heavyweight championship unification clash between IBF champion Bernard
Hopkins and WBA champion Beibut Shumenov had in it’s lead up what has become a
familiar storyline to all Boxing fans. Could the future Hall of Famer Bernard
Hopkins continue to defy father time and in the process continue to rewrite the
book of Boxing history?
After only
fifteen fights as a professional, despite holding the WBA championship for over
four years, and defending his title five times, Shumenov entered this fight as
an underdog. In addition to the storyline that accompanies practically all of
Hopkins’ fights at this stage of his career, this fight also had the question
of whether or not Shumenov could defeat a fighter with the skill level and
experience of Bernard Hopkins. All questions would be answered when the two
world champions entered the ring Saturday night at the D.C. Armory in
Washington, D.C.
In the lead
up to this fight I stated that some may have said going into the fight that Shumenov
was to establish a fast pace with the intention of making Hopkins feel
uncomfortable from the outset. Shumenov
was after all facing a man nineteen years his senior. Most Boxing aficionados will likely agree
that the approach in just about every case where there is a significant
difference in age between two fighters, the younger fighter should try to make
the older fighter fight the younger’s type of fight where the advantage would
be in their favor.
This however,
would not be the case as right from the beginning of this fight the pace was
tailor-made for Hopkins. Shumenov needed to establish that this would be his
kind of fight and not the type of fight where Hopkins would not only dictate
the pace, but look as though he was putting on an exhibition.
The pace of
this fight could likely be described as a pace of a friendly sparring session. Both
fighters seemed a bit reluctant to make the first move. In the early rounds
this seemed to be an example of the Boxing equivalent of a chess match. The
first three rounds could have a significant difference of opinion as to who won
those rounds due to the lack of action and offensive rhythm.
Although some
may not consider the way the early rounds were fought to be entertaining, it is
important to remember that Boxing is a science and therefore, can be extremely
tactical at times. Shumenov seemed to be slightly more active early on, but
simply being more active does not always translate into winning rounds. As is
the case with most Bernard Hopkins fights, he was very elusive, able to deflect
much of his opponent’s offense, and work effectively in spurts looking for
opportunities to counter punch.
In most
instances where Bernard Hopkins is allowed to dictate the pace he uses the
first couple of rounds to study his opponent and as the fight progresses, he
begins to implement his strategy. This is essentially what happened in this
fight.
Hopkins’
ability to be elusive, make his opponent miss, and make the most out of his
offense, particularly when he threw his right hand was really what this fight
was all about. A future Hall of Famer giving a lesson in the science that is
Boxing. As the fight progressed, Shumenov just couldn’t find an answer to turn
the fight in his favor.
What was most
troublesome for Shumenov is that he trains himself, and there was no one to
offer input as the fight went on as to any potential tactical adjustments that
Shumenov might have attempted to make. Although Shumenov appeared to the
aggressor in this fight he was not able to land consistently and this played
right into Hopkins’ hands. The highlight of the fight came in round eleven when
Hopkins knocked Shumenov down with a right hand and appeared that he might have
been able to get stoppage in this fight. Hopkins, who has not scored a knockout
since his victory over Oscar De La Hoya in September 2004, at age forty-nine
being able to stop a man nineteen years his junior would have been impressive.
Nevertheless, a forty-nine-year-old man dominating a younger opponent is
impressive and noteworthy.
Although one
may not expect to see a knockout whenever Bernard Hopkins fights, to see a
legendary figure of the sport continue to outwit much younger opposition and to
do so with relative ease is entertaining to watch. What by all accounts was a
dominant victory for Bernard Hopkins was briefly overshadowed by one scorecard
at the end of the twelve round championship bout.
The consensus
is that Hopkins dictated the fight from start to finish and was able to win
most of the rounds. The consensus however, was not the opinion of Judge Gustavo Padilla who scored the fight 114-113 in favor of Shumenov,
while judges Dave Moretti and Jerry Roth both scored the fight 116-111 for
Hopkins getting Hopkins a split decision victory.
Following the
fight I commented on Twitter that Boxing needs some sort of regulatory board to
oversee the sport beyond the local and state athletic commissions. Even though
it is very tempting to criticize judge Gustavo Padilla for his scorecard in
this fight, the reality is that the scorecard is evidence of an ongoing problem
throughout the whole sport. The memories of judge C.J. Ross’ scorecards in the
first Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley and Floyd Mayweather-Saul Alvarez fights
are still and will likely remain in the conscience of Boxing fans for years to
come.
Much like
Ross’ scorecard in the Mayweather-Alvarez fight, the scorecard of Gustavo
Padilla differed significantly from the consensus opinion as to who won the
Hopkins-Shumenov fight. Not only did Padilla’s scorecard differ as to who won,
but it also differed from what happened in the ring from a visual standpoint.
This fight was not close and although it was very tactical, it was easy to see
who was dictating how the fight was being fought. That man was Bernard Hopkins.
Unlike the
scorecard of C.J. Ross in the first Pacquiao-Bradley fight, Gustavo Padilla’s scorecard
would not lead to a controversial outcome much as Ross’ scorecard in the
Mayweather-Alvarez fight ended up not being a focal point as to who won the
fight. Credit to judges Dave Moretti and Jerry Roth for turning in adequate
scorecards in this fight.
There is no
doubt in my mind that had Gustavo Padilla’s scorecard been the determining factor
in the outcome of this fight that Boxing fans and experts alike would be filled
with great passion and anger over what would be another black eye for the sport.
The ongoing problem that continues throughout the Boxing world is the absence
of an independent regulatory board to oversee the sport worldwide.
The slight
controversy notwithstanding, the bigger story that emerged out of this fight
was Bernard Hopkins’ quest to become the first man in Boxing history to
completely unify world championships in two weight divisions. The logical next
step in my eyes would be to see Hopkins face the winner of the Adonis
Stevenson-Andrzej Fonfara fight that will take place next month, later this
year in another unification clash.
There is of
course the possibility of a fight between Hopkins and Sergey Kovalev as well at
some point. If circumstances were to emerge where rival networks and promoters
were to come together, it is possible that we would see Hopkins vs. Kovalev
sooner, but does not seem likely at this point in my eyes.
At the end of
the day Hopkins-Shumenov was another demonstration of a master of the craft of
Boxing plying his trade. The loss for Shumenov will only benefit him in the
long run if he can take the lessons taught to him by Hopkins and use it to
improve as a fighter. Shumenov has only had sixteen professional fights and this
may only be the beginning for him. I am of firm opinion however, if he does not
obtain a trainer on a fulltime basis, this also could be the beginning of the
end.
As for
Bernard Hopkins, he continues to defy odds, defeat father time, and amaze
Boxing fans and experts alike as he continues to be at the top of his game at
nearly fifty years old. As Hopkins continues to rewrite the book of Boxing
history, the Boxing world eagerly awaits the next chapter.
“And That’s
The Boxing Truth.”
The Boxing
Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.
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Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison
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