DE LA HOYA vs HOPKINS

THE RESULT

Oscar De La Hoya vs Bernard Hopkins
"Quest For History"
Undisputed World Middleweight Championship

A paralyzing left hook to the body of Oscar De La Hoya thrown by Bernard Hopkins in the 9th round ended matters in stunning fashion. Referee, Kenny Bayless counted 10 over De La Hoya's crumpled body, while undisputed Champion, Hopkins celebrated in his corner.

The sold out crowd at the MGM Grand was silent as De La Hoya banged the canvas with his glove as the ref counted, knowing full well he would be unable to rise.

It was a great event, if not a great fight, which saw De La Hoya stand his ground for the better part of 3 rounds. Hopkins, patient as ever, seemed a little befuddled by De La Hoya's fight plan initially, and seemed content to lose 2 of the first 3 rounds. Hopkins, slowly, began to pick up the pace in the fourth and from the 5th round on began loading his jab and the occasional right hand. De La Hoya did not use his effective jab and round by round seemed to fade from his grasp.

Going into the ninth, Hopkins was in control of the contest and his superior strength became obvious. Backing De La Hoya into the ropes, Hopkins threw a jab and a left hook, which landed in the right place, square on the liver, and that was that.

Hopkins, who hadn't lost in the last 11 years, successfully defended his titles for the 19th time. Hopkins (45-2-1, 32 KOs, 1 NC) retained his IBF, WBA and WBC middleweight titles and won with this fight, the WBO crown De La Hoya won in June against Felix Sturm. In "Quest For History", Hopkins became the first fighter in the history to to hold all four belts.

De La Hoya refused to answer any questions about retirement. If Oscar does fight again, it will not be as a middleweight.