Hopkins again becomes oldest titleholder in boxing history
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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.
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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.