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Taylor Spoils Executioner's Song

On July 16, Bernard Hopkins entered the MGM Grand in Las Vegas with two goals in mind. The first would be to successfully defend the middleweight title for an unprecedented twenty-first time. Figuratively knocking out former promoter Lou DiBella was a close second. Jermain Taylor, DiBella's lucky charm, set out to deny Hopkins' triumphant cry of "Blackjack!"

Taylor (24-0 17KO), fourteen years Hopkins' junior, secured himself a title shot against the ageless champion through impressive outings against smaller opponents. His jackhammer jab and versatility had many observers believing he was the lone contender who would hand "The Executioner" his first defeat since 1993. As much as Taylor wanted to impose bad intentions on the 40 year old, DiBella may have wanted it even more.

Hopkins fought the first four rounds cautiously, at times feigning being hurt. It is his nature not to waste energy as seen in his knockout victory of Golden Boy Productions partner Oscar de la Hoya. This roulette game won Taylor the first twelve minutes, leaving Hopkins four rounds down on unofficial scorecards. Then the champion, maybe a bit too late, began to pour it on.

Hopkins had the younger challenger hurt many times through the second half of the fight, also gaining warnings from referee Jay Nady for rough-house tactics. No points were deducted during the twelve rounds, though Taylor's trainer exercised cerebral combat skills by informing Nady prior to the match of the fouls Hopkins got away with in his last bout.

Just as Taylor outjabbed and landed combinations earlier in the fight, Hopkins poked with counters through open slots in Taylor's defense in the latter rounds. Many at ringside thought Hopkins had done enough to overcome a slow start, though the scorecards read differently. The defending champion won in Jerry Roth's eyes, 116-112. Duane Ford and Paul Smith each scored the fight 115-113 for Taylor.

This changing of the guard sparked immediate reaction by the media, many claiming Taylor was the unwarranted recipient of a bad decision. Hopkins has vowed to exercise the rematch clause in his contract, which may schedule another duel on October 1 on HBO Pay-per-view.

In ironic fashion, Bernard Hopkins (46-3-1 32KO) was voted "Best Boxer" by fans on ESPN's ESPY Awards Show televised Sunday, the night after he gave up his belts in the ring.