Hopkins answers critics

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — After thoroughly confusing and dominating previously unbeaten Kelly Pavlik, Bernard Hopkins walked to the edge of the ring and stared at some of his detractors in the media.

The message was obvious. Don’t ever doubt me again, even at 43 years old.

“I’m tired” of having to prove himself, Hopkins said. “What do I have to do? Kill someone? I believe I am the most underrated fighter when it comes to defense, when it comes to offense, when it comes to my heart. In my heart, I fought like I had to prove something.”

Hopkins (49-5-1) showed himself to be one of boxing’s all-time greats Saturday night at Boardwalk Hall, taking Pavlik to school in a 12-round non-title fight in which he beat up and embarrassed the middleweight champion with skills honed in a magnificent 20-year career.

“To be 43 years old and doing anything in sports is good,” Hopkins said.

The one-sided victory could set up a rematch with Roy Jones Jr. early next year, provided Hopkins’ longtime antagonist beats Joe Calzaghe next month in a fight in New York City. Calzaghe scored a controversial decision over Hopkins in April.

Jones beat Hopkins in a 12-round decision in 1993.

“If I am going to fight again, it has to be no later than January or February, or it’s a wrap,” Hopkins said, hinting at retirement. “Because of the time frame, I can’t keep starting this old 1965 car and think that it is going to take me through. I know my limits.”

“The strategy coming in was to win the fight, back Bernard up and cut the ring off,” said Jack Loew, Pavlik’s trainer. “Things were just not working. We went to Game A, B, C and just nothing worked tonight.”

Hopkins was a big reason for that. He watched countless hours of video on Pavlik and noticed that most of his opponents danced to his right.

Hopkins said that allowed Pavlik to jab with his left and set up his powerful right.

“I kept going to my right, which was his left and he could not handle it,” Hopkins said. “His feet couldn’t adjust going that way. He could not throw across his chest with his right hand.”

Pavlik looked lost from the opening bell as Hopkins beat him to the punch countless times.

The question coming into the fight was whether Pavlik could become the first man to knock out Hopkins. By the final round, Hopkins was battering his opponent and threatening to make Pavlik’s first loss a knockout.

Hopkins threw 304 power punches in the fight and landed almost half, according to CompuBox Statistics.

Pavlik threw only 211 power punches and landed just 55.