Brooklyn, NY – Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins became the oldest titleholder in boxing history Saturday night when the 48-year-old topped Tavoris Cloud via unanimous decision to capture the IBF light heavyweight title.
Hopkins (53-6-2) broke his own record as the oldest man to win a major world boxing title. The native of Philadelphia, in his 31st championship bout, won by scores of 116-112 from two judges and 117-111 from the other judge in the 12-round fight.
The 31-year-old Cloud (24-1) connected on 30 less punches than Hopkins (169). Incredibly, Hopkins threw 417 punches in the fight and Cloud 650.
Making the fifth defense of his title, Cloud was in trouble in the middle of the fight thanks to a nasty cut that opened above his left eye. Referee Earl Brown ruled it to have come from an accidental headbutt, but replays showed Hopkins connected with a left uppercut that caused blood to stream from the eyelid.
Hopkins, a former two-division champion, focused on the cut and Cloud couldn't overcome the injury or the tactics of a seasoned veteran.
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