NEXT IN LINE
HOPKINS vs TAYLOR

THE RESULT

Bernard Hopkins vs Jermain Taylor
World Middleweight Championship
Saturday, July 16, 2005

In a mild upset, Jermain Taylor ended the middleweight reign of Bernard Hopkins by winning a split decision in front of 12,000 fans at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Hopkins, who had 20 defenses under his belt, started slowly but ended with a furry. In front of the judges, however, it was too little, too late. Taylor simply dominated the first 6 rounds and Hopkins couldn't quite catch up. In the fifth round, Taylor was cut on the top of his head by an accidental head butt and it bled much of the remainder of the bout.

Both men weighed in at 160 lbs. There is a rematch clause, so expect Hopkins to give it one last shot later this year or early next year.

It was a chess-like fight with Hopkins looking to counter Taylor's lead with his right hand. Hopkins seemed to have Taylor in trouble a number of times in the last four rounds, but just couldn't finish the job.