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Top 5 Fights of Bernard Hopkins’ Career

By Gabriel Polanco

Posted on October 30, 2014

Bernard Hopkins will put his IBF and WBA Light Heavyweight titles on the line against the Russian Krusher, Sergei Kovalev on November 8, 2014 live on HBO. Before that clash, Gabe Polanco takes a look at Hopkins’ five best career performances.

4. Oscar De La Hoya

Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images

After 18 straight title defenses at Middleweight, Bernard Hopkins took on “The Golden Boy,” Oscar De La Hoya in a unification match.

Even though Hopkins was fighting a blown up Welterweight in De La Hoya, he gained more in popularity after the fight by being the first boxer to stop De La Hoya. Hopkins played defense early on, as De La Hoya was far more aggressive to start the fight.

Midway through the bout, Hopkins’ overall strength and size advantages were too much for the smaller De La Hoya, as a body shot caused the Mexican-American superstar to collapse on the floor, unable to beat the count.

Afterwards, Hopkins went on to make a tie breaking record of 20 straight Middleweight defenses of his title.