Tweet
Bernard Hopkins successfully defended his undisputed middleweight title for the 20th time in a fight that did not seem to match the grandeur a 20th title defense should have. None the less the fight was interesting match up, with Hopkins taking more clean punches than in any recent outings. However, for the most part the fight followed the pattern of a countless number Hopkins previous defenses. In the early going both men were cautious; both men are known counter punchers, but as the fight went on Hopkins’ straight right and especially the left hook were tattooing Eastman’s alarmingly unguarded face. What was different about this defense from many others was that Hopkins was willing to cautiously box, which in the past has been a sign of respect, having done so with feared punchers Felix Trinidad and Antwun Echols (in their second fight). [details]
