By Mark Vester
Bernard Hopkins, 45-years-old, feels that he exposed WBC/IBO light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal in their December 18th bout. Hopkins survived two knockdowns to outbox Pascal to a twelve round majority draw. Most at ringside had scored the fight for Hopkins, who says Pascal was running in the fight to save his life.
"It was a perfect fight for a senior citizen. I set a profound bar and statement. I beat Pascal. If I got the decision, you wouldn't be saying Pascal got robbed. Somebody had to be fighting their ass off to come from two knock-downs, fighting a Canadian in Canada and get a draw," Hopkins said.
Hopkins is confident that he proved a point that he can continue fighting and beating the much younger guys. He wants a rematch, but he has to wait. Former champion Chad Dawson will get a crack at Pascal next, and then Hopkins can have the winner.
"I fought my heart out. I got up off the canvas and fought a champion's fight," Hopkins said. "I had the young guy running, holding on. Pascal knew he was in a fight. He knew he had to run to save his life and save that belt, because I was on him. A young guy running from an old grandpa. I can still beat these guys, and beat them impressively. You saw me taking him to school."
