Bernard Hopkins vs. Jermain Taylor
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| Date | July 16, 2005 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Venue | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Title(s) on the line | WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO and The Ring undisputed middleweight championship | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tale of the tape | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Result | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taylor wins via 12-round split decision (112–116, 115–113, 115–113)[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bernard Hopkins vs. Jermain Taylor, billed as Next in Line, was a professional boxing match contested on July 16, 2005 for the WBA (Undisputed), WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring middleweight championships.[2][3]
Background
[edit]Hopkins entered the bout as a 3–2 favourite.[4][5]
The fight
[edit]Taylor was able to successfully use his jab to control the action first two rounds of the fight, though neither fighter was taking any major risks. He tended to move forward, while Hopkins was patient and waited for openings in Taylor's defence. In round five, a clash of heads opened a cut on the top of Taylor's head. In the tenth round, Hopkins hurt Taylor with two right hands that made his legs wobble and forced him to clinch.
Taylor won the bout by split decision with two judges scoring the fight 115–113 for Taylor and the other judge scoring it 116–112 for Hopkins. With the victory, Taylor became the new Undisputed Middleweight Champion,[6] winning the WBC, WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, The Ring and Lineal Middleweight Championships.[7][8]
HBO's Harold Lederman had the bout scored 115-113 for Taylor. Many press row writers scored the fight for Hopkins.[9]
Aftermath
[edit]Hopkins appealed the decision, but was denied by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.[10]
Undercard
[edit]Confirmed bouts:[11]
Broadcasting
[edit]| Country | Broadcaster |
|---|---|
 United States |
HBO |
References
[edit]- ^ Hauser, Thomas (2021-07-16). "Bernard Hopkins vs Jermain Taylor – The changing of the guard". Boxing News. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
- ^ "Bernard Hopkins vs. Jermain Taylor (1st meeting)". boxrec.com. BoxRec. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
- ^ "Bernard Hopkins vs Jermain Taylor: NeXt In Line on July 16 in Las Vegas". Boxing247.com. 2005-05-03. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
- ^ Magee, Jerry (2005-07-15). "Taylor's 'neXt in line' – but for the Executioner". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
- ^ Johnson, Chuck (2005-07-13). "Hopkins, Taylor set for hot Vegas bout". USA Today. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
- ^ "Taylor ends Hopkins' middleweight reign". Liverpool Echo. 2005-07-18. Retrieved April 6, 2009.
- ^ "The Lineal Middleweight Champions". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
- ^ "Boxing History". CBSSports.com. Retrieved May 18, 2009.
- ^ Mulvaney, Kieran (October 1, 2005). "Lacy, Corrales, Common Foe Joppy Predict Outcome". ESPN. Retrieved October 24, 2008.
- ^ "Bernard Hopkins' appeal denied". USA Today. Associated Press. 2005-07-23. Retrieved April 6, 2009.
- ^ "BoxRec - event".