Bernard Hopkins vs. Jermain Taylor

Next in Line
DateJuly 16, 2005
VenueMGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada
Title(s) on the lineWBA, WBC, IBF, WBO and The Ring undisputed middleweight championship
Tale of the tape
Boxer United States Bernard Hopkins United States Jermain Taylor
Nickname "The Executioner" "Bad Intentions"
Hometown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Little Rock, Arkansas
Purse $4,000,000 $1,400,000
Pre-fight record 46–2–1 (1) (32 KO) 23–0 (17 KO)
Age 40 years, 6 months 26 years, 11 months
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 160 lb (73 kg) 160 lb (73 kg)
Style Orthodox Orthodox
Recognition WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO and The Ring
Undisputed Middleweight Champion
The Ring No. 1 ranked pound-for-pound fighter		 WBC/IBF
No. 3 Ranked Middleweight
WBA
No. 4 Ranked Middleweight
WBO/The Ring
No. 5 Ranked Middleweight
Result
Taylor wins via 12-round split decision (112–116, 115–113, 115–113)[1]

Bernard Hopkins vs. Jermain Taylor, billed as Next in Line, was a professional boxing match contested on July 16, 2005 for the WBA (Undisputed), WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring middleweight championships.[2][3]

Background

Hopkins entered the bout as a 3–2 favourite.[4][5]

The fight

Taylor was able to successfully use his jab to control the action first two rounds of the fight, though neither fighter was taking any major risks. He tended to move forward, while Hopkins was patient and waited for openings in Taylor's defence. In round five, a clash of heads opened a cut on the top of Taylor's head. In the tenth round, Hopkins hurt Taylor with two right hands that made his legs wobble and forced him to clinch.

Taylor won the bout by split decision with two judges scoring the fight 115–113 for Taylor and the other judge scoring it 116–112 for Hopkins. With the victory, Taylor became the new Undisputed Middleweight Champion,[6] winning the WBC, WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, The Ring and Lineal Middleweight Championships.[7][8]

HBO's Harold Lederman had the bout scored 115-113 for Taylor. Many press row writers scored the fight for Hopkins.[9]

Aftermath

Hopkins appealed the decision, but was denied by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.[10]

Undercard

Confirmed bouts:[11]

Broadcasting

Country Broadcaster
 United States HBO

References

  1. ^ Hauser, Thomas (2021-07-16). "Bernard Hopkins vs Jermain Taylor – The changing of the guard". Boxing News. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  2. ^ "Bernard Hopkins vs. Jermain Taylor (1st meeting)". boxrec.com. BoxRec. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Bernard Hopkins vs Jermain Taylor: NeXt In Line on July 16 in Las Vegas". Boxing247.com. 2005-05-03. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  4. ^ Magee, Jerry (2005-07-15). "Taylor's 'neXt in line' – but for the Executioner". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
  5. ^ Johnson, Chuck (2005-07-13). "Hopkins, Taylor set for hot Vegas bout". USA Today. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
  6. ^ "Taylor ends Hopkins' middleweight reign". Liverpool Echo. 2005-07-18. Retrieved April 6, 2009.
  7. ^ "The Lineal Middleweight Champions". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
  8. ^ "Boxing History". CBSSports.com. Retrieved May 18, 2009.
  9. ^ Mulvaney, Kieran (October 1, 2005). "Lacy, Corrales, Common Foe Joppy Predict Outcome". ESPN. Retrieved October 24, 2008.
  10. ^ "Bernard Hopkins' appeal denied". USA Today. Associated Press. 2005-07-23. Retrieved April 6, 2009.
  11. ^ "BoxRec - event".
Preceded by Bernard Hopkins's bouts
July 16, 2005 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
vs. Daniel Edouard
 Jermain Taylor's bouts
July 16, 2005