Wright Tactics, Wrong Decision

By Kishan Nundloll

23/07/07

Bernard Hopkins claimed a unanimous points decision over Ronald ‘winky’ Wright in their light heavyweight contest in Mandalay Bay Las Vegas, the decision leaves Hopkins retaining his title and proving that with his age now over forty he can still keep up with the best the world has to offer.

The fight was initially considered to be a defensive showpiece to the boxing world with both men well known for defensive style rather than their knock out stats. The irony being that the fight was exciting and more attack minded than most fans would have assumed. Hopkins later admitting that he was not happy at the fight being labelled ‘boring’. The more attacking and clinical Bernard Hopkins, landed with the cleaner shots, and dominated the early rounds. The fight took on a new dimension in the third round when an ‘accidental’ clash of heads left Wright cut badly above his left eye and leaving him incensed at his opponent, Wright believing that Hopkins had deliberately set out to hurt him. The impact was starting to affect Wrights game plan and saw him lose the next two rounds.

The pace and ferocity of the fight was starting to take its toll on the elder Hopkins and Wright started to exert himself and started to find Hopkins with more ease. Wright was now clawing back rounds and putting himself back in contention, As the last round approached Wright would have had the belief that he was winning and that a solid twelfth round would see him become a true great in the sport. The twelfth round was cagey and loaded with missed punches from two tired fighters, with Hopkins pressure in the last minute swaying the round in his favour.

Judges Dave Moretti and Glenn Trowbridge both awarded the fight to Hopkins by 117-111, while judge Glenn Hamada scored it 116-112. The scoring questionable especially the first two who gave to Hopkins by six clear rounds. The decision left Wright incensed and questioning yet another dubious Las Vegas scoring decision. Whomever the decision had been awarded to would have been fair because both fighters were equally as good and dominated in different parts of the fight, the scoring from the judges does not reflect fairly on how close the fight was and how well Wright boxed effectively with one eye for nine rounds. Hopkins will feel he has proven himself to be the arguably the best pound for pound fighter in the world, and that a super fight with Joe calzaghe would be a fitting way to end his illustrious career. As for Wright he will feel aggrieved but will draw on his experience as a professional and know that his day against a big name fighter will come again, and next time he may think twice about having the fight in Las Vegas.