Bernard Hopkins Reinstated Light Heavyweight Champ
Bernard Hopkins’ light heavyweight championship belt was restored Thursday, after a controversial bout with Chad Dawkins, who stripped the 46-year-old boxer of his title last Saturday.
Hopkins, 46, lost his belt after tying Dawson up in a clinch and leaning on the back of the 29-year-old Southpaw in the process. The younger fighter reacted by shoving his way out of Hopkins’ hold with a shoulder, lifting him off of the floor in the process and then dumping him onto his back.
Although the California State Athletic Commission has yet to formally speak about the fight for the light heavyweight championship belt at the Staples Center, the WBC took matters into their own hands.
The WBC, a sanctioning organization based in Mexico City, said Hopkins’ title would be restored. Instead of a loss for Hopkins, the fight was called a technical draw.
Jose Sulaiman, WBC president, said the organization made a unanimous decision after watching video and examining information.
"The head offices of the WBC sent videos, medical reports and the WBC corresponding rules to the Board of Governors, that unanimously declared a technical draw on the fight,” Sulaiman wrote in his ruling, according to ESPN.
“Therefore, Bernard Hopkins is still the WBC light heavyweight champion of the world," he added.
However, some did not agree with the ruling. Gary Shaw, Dawson’s promoter, told ESPN that Hopkins did not deserve to win the fight.
“I'm disappointed that the WBC saw fit to call it a technical draw," said Shaw. "I'm sure, as sure as I can be, is that the WBC will put Chad as the No. 1 mandatory again. I don't think it was the right decision.”
He stated, “We believe Hopkins committed the first foul by going on Chad's back. Chad did what anyone would do and tried to get him off his back. I accept their ruling but I don't agree with it.”
Hopkins said he was happy with the WBC’s decision to reinstate his title.
"I'd like to thank Mr. Sulaiman and the board for looking at the tape and just for taking the time to look at the tape," said Hopkins, ESPN wrote.
"They came up with what I think is the right decision. Like me or hate me, I think most people will think it's the right decision that they made,” he stated.
