Hopkins Slashes and Gashes the “Ghost” Pavlik in Executioner like Fashion

BY: Robert Epstein www.diamondboxing.com

Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik was pitted against Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins in a twelve round light heavyweight battle from Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall. Pavlik listed as a heavy favorite at 4 to 1 odds and is looking to be the first one to knock out the future Hall of Famer Hopkins.

Hopkins who entered the ring last wearing a black executioner mask was looking to get back on the winning track after dropping his last fight back in April, losing by split decision to Joe Calzaghe. The undefeated Ghost Pavlik who hails from Youngstown, Ohio was not only the betting favorite he also was the favorite among the fans.

The old warrior Hopkins came out in the early going looking quick and on the offense which goes against his customary defensive style. Hopkins in round two earned Pavlik’s respect after landing a hard left to Pavlik’s face and stunning the younger Pavlik. In rounds three and four Hopkins continued to be the first to the punch and producing more output, Pavlik still on the defense at this point. In the fifth Pavlik started to take to the offense opening it up slightly however, the ageless Hopkins still was able to deliver the greater connect rate. Through five this bout was all Hopkins pitching a shut out.

Hopkins looking strong as the fight entered the middle rounds and in the seventh round in un Hopkins like fashion hit Pavlik in the face with a showboat windmill right hand. Pavlik still on the defense in the eighth lost a point for hitting while holding. Pavlik recovered the point when Hopkins was penalized in the ninth also for hitting and holding. Hopkins did not let Pavlik mount any type of offense, Hopkins landed the cleaner, harder and more effective punches throughout the middle rounds.

Pavlik knowing he needed a knockout in order to keep his undefeated streak going still could not reach Hopkins in the latter rounds. The tenth and eleventh rounds still went to the fresh Hopkins as he landed in consistent fashion to the head of Pavllk. In the twelve Hopkins stood in the middle of the ring and ripped bullets square to the face of Pavlik. The bout ended with Hopkins and Pavlik still going at it afterwards the never shy Hopkins just looked into media row and gave all the press who doubted him a long stare down.

This one did not need the judges the whole world knew the outcome but for the official record the bout was scored 119-106, 118-108 and 117-109 all for Bernard Hopkins.

Undercard Action

The WBC World Featherweight Title was on the line when Billy Dib (21-1, 11KOs) challenged champ Steven Luevano (36-1-1, 15KOs) in a 12 round bout. In the early going both fighters did not produce much output as the sized each other up. Luevano took this one over in the middle rounds dominating the light punching Dib. The 27 year old Luevano went on to score a unanimous decision victory winning on all three of the judge’s score cards 116-112, 115-113 and 117-111.   

Marco Rubio faced off against Enrique Ornelas in a 12 round WBC Middleweight title eliminator. Rubio entered the bout as a three to one favorite, however the tough Ornelas stood toe to toe with Rubio throughout the twelve rounds. Both fighters fought this one in the center of the ring exchanging blows round after round. Midway through the fight Rubio was able to land several solid shots to the head of Ornelas causing swelling around Ornelas eyes. This one was even going into the eleventh, Rubio took charge in the eleventh landing numerous combinations which hurt Ornelas. In the twelve Rubio came out strong looking to take out Ornelas however, Ornelas had other plans. Ornalas was able to fire back in the round landing a nice right that got Rubio’s attention. Both fighters closed bout exchanging blows to the crowds delight. The judges had their work cut out for them in scoring this hard fought close bout. The cards came back with a split decision, giving the victory to Rubio, two judges gave the fight to Rubio 115-113 and 116 -112, while one judge had Ornelas the winner 115-113.

Daniel Jacobs hailing from Brooklyn New York took on Tyrone Watson in a 6 round middleweight bout. Jacobs the Golden Child did not have to break a sweat in taking out Watson in the first round. Jacobs using both hands landed devastating shots to both the head and body flooring Watson twice in the first round. The first knockdown came on a viscous right to the head, Jacob’s finished Watson seconds later with two left hooks to body. After the second knockdown Watson laid on the canvas for a few minutes in pain from the Jacob’s body shot barrage. With the victory Jacob’s improves to 11-0, 10KOs while Watson’s record dropped to 7-2, 4KOs.

Yuri Forman improved to 26-0 with a unanimous decision victory over Vinroy Barrett.

Hot young Golden Boy prospect Danny Garcia recorded a third round TKO over Deon Nash. With the knockout victory Garcia ups his record to 8-0, 7KOs.

To start the night unbeaten Qu’id Muhammad dropped Samuel Gutterez in the forth round taking away a TKO win.  

For complete fight photos check out the photo gallery http://www.diamondboxing.com/pics.php