Ageless Hopkins teaches Pavlik a lesson
ROUND 1
Hopkins came to the ring at his intimidating best. He was wearing a black rope with a black executioner’s mask. The near-sellout crowd of 11,332 seems very pro-Pavlik, roaring every mention of his name. Pavlik flicks a jab as the round opens. Hook by Pavlik is short. Hopkins lands a left hook to the body. Jab and a right to the body by Hopkins. Pavlik lands a right to the body. Right to the jaw by Hopkins. Left to the body by Hopkins. Right to the body by Hopkins, who is very energetic. They battle inside and referee Benjy Esteves warns Hopkins about holding the head. Short left by Pavlik.
Iole scores it 10-9, Hopkins
ROUND 2
Left hook by Hopkins connects hard, then a hook to the body and a right to the head by Hopkins. Jab by Pavlik connects. Hard jab by Hopkins. Three-punch combination to the head shakes Pavlik. Right hand and a jab by Hopkins lands. Pavlik is confused at this stage and crowd is cheering Hopkins on. Hard hook to the body by Hopkins.
Iole scores it 10-9, Hopkins
ROUND 3
Pavlik has swelling under his right eye. Right hand-jab by Hopkins. He’s picking Pavlik apart. Double jab and a right for Hopkins again connects. Pavlik has to find a way to counteract that and begin to deliver some offense. Double left hook by Hopkins. Right hand by Pavlik is short. Hard left hook by Hopkins. Straight right by Hopkins lands.
Iole scores it 10-9, Hopkins
ROUND 4
Pavlik flicks a jab. They’re grappling inside. They exchange low blows and Esteves warns them. There is more wrestling in this round. Right-left combination by Hopkins. Left to the body by Hopkins. Right by Pavlik.
Iole scores it 10-9, Hopkins
ROUND 5
Good right to the head by Hopkins. Right by Pavlik and a right-left by Hopkins. They grapple inside. Hopkins’ defense is superb. Right by Hopkins lands and then a jab snaps Pavlik’s head back. Pavlik warned for hitting behind the head. Pavlik lands a jab and a right hand. Pavlik misses badly on a right.
Iole scores it 10-9, Hopkins
ROUND 6
Pavlik lands a right to the body. Hopkins lands a hard body shot. They’re wrestling on the ropes. Counter right by Hopkins connects. Lead right by Hopkins. Counter right by Hopkins. Shot to body and then to head by Hopkins. Pavlik is befuddled. He has no attack, no sense of plan. Left hook by Hopkins. Right by Pavlik lands. Two big rights near the bell by Hopkins.
Iole scores it 10-9, Hopkins
ROUND 7
Hopkins warned by Esteves. Pavlik on his toes. Big right by Hopkins. Another short right by Hopkins. Masterful effort so far by Hopkins. It is complete domination. Pavlik is flicking a jab, but not throwing it with conviction. Right hand and a jab by Hopkins. Right hand and a jab again by Hopkins. Hopkins is teeing off. Big right by Hopkins wobbles Pavlik.
Iole scores it 10-9, Hopkins
ROUND 8
It’s a familiar refrain: Big right and a left from Hopkins. Pavlik goes to the body and takes a left to the head. They’re tied up on the ropes. Pavlik has a point deducted for hitting behind the head. Big right by Hopkins. Another good right and then a strong left from Hopkins.
Iole scores it 10-8, Hopkins
ROUND 9
Lead right by Hopkins. Right hand and a jab by Hopkins. Hard left to the solar plexus by Hopkins. Hard right by Hopkins. Big right by Hopkins. Overhand right by Hopkins. Lead right by Hopkins. The Pavlik corner needs to start to consider when is the right time to stop the fight. He’s being outclassed by a mile at this stage. He has no shot to win. Hard left uppercut by Hopkins. Point from Hopkins taken for holding.
Iole scores it 9-9
ROUND 10
Pavlik lands a shot to the body but Hopkins counters with a hard left to the head. Right over the top by Hopkins. Pavlik lands a right, but Hopkins lands a right-left-right. They clinch in the center of the ring. Right to the body. Big right by Pavlik connects. Short right by Hopkins inside snaps Pavlik’s head. Hard combination inside by Hopkins connects.
Iole scores it 10-9, Pavlik
ROUND 11
They’re battling on the inside and Esteves pries them apart. Short right by Hopkins. They’re inside again. The pace has slowed a bit. Good right by Hopkins. Hard combination to the head by Hopkins wobbles Pavlik and sends him back into the ropes. Hopkins pounds the ribcage.
Iole scores it 10-9, Hopkins
ROUND 12
Two big rights from Hopkins hurt Pavlik badly. Left hook by Hopkins. Right by Pavlik. Hopkins grimaces, as if angry he was hit. Left hook and a right to the head. Pavlik’s face is a swollen and bloody mess. Two big rights from Hopkins. Crowd on its feet. It’s an amazing performance by Hopkins. They’re barking at each other at the final bell. Hopkins’ round, 10-9
Iole scores it 10-9, Hopkins