Unbeaten Welshman Joe Calzaghe made his first foray to the US a successful one, winning a split decision over US veteran Bernard Hopkins in a 12-round light heavyweight bout.
Calzaghe, the reigning World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organization super middleweight champion, survived a first-round knockdown to take his record to 45-0, with 32 wins inside the distance.
Hopkins, 43, fell to 48-5-1 with 32 knockouts.
PHOTO: AP
The cagey American dropped Calzaghe with a straight right in the first round, and once again used his defensive skills to wrong-foot a talented opponent.
As the fight progressed, however, Calzaghe seemed to find his rhythm, and was able to step in and land effective punches.
“He caught me in the first round,” Calzaghe said. “He caught me with a flash knockdown. It was only the third time I’ve been on the floor.”
“I had to be patient,” he said. “It’s very difficult to pin Bernard down. He’s very wily. I knew it wasn’t going to be pretty.”
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