Last Saturday in Montreal, Bernard Hopkins became the oldest fighter to win a major world championship as he claimed the WBC light-heavyweight title after defeating Jean Pascal at the age of 46. Hopkins wrested the WBC, IBO and The Ring magazine titles from his 28-year-old opponent, who was making his fifth defense at the Bell Centre.

Hopkins (52-5-2) is the oldest fighter to take a major world belt, six months older than George Foreman when he took the heavyweight title with a victory over Michael Moorer in 1994. The Philadelphia boxer weathered an early attack from his Montreal opponent before landing more punches and avoiding many of Pascal's power shots, jabbing intelligently and landing a number of right-handers.

Hopkins also taunted his younger foe, dropping to do press-ups before the seventh round. Despite a late charge from Pascal, Hopkins did enough to win with the judges each having him ahead on points after the 12th round, the cards reading 115-113, 116-112, 115-114.

Hopkins was quoted in The Globe and Mail, saying: "I didn't feel like I was 46 tonight, I felt more like 36. I can say I'm a great fighter, it was exciting, I think everybody enjoyed themselves."

Hopkins announced to his fans that he would like to fight Lucian Bute, but plans to face Chad Dawson, who on the same card had a unanimous decision win over Adrian Diaconu in an elimination bout to face the winner of the main event.

"Let me say this, all of them names [like Bute] is good, but I have to honor my agreement with Chad first. It's me and him next," Hopkins said.