Bernard Hopkins (USA) vs Oscar De La Hoya (USA) || “History“ || Highlights

Bernard Hopkins 156 lbs beat Oscar De La Hoya 155 lbs by KO at 1:38 in round 9 of 12 Date: 2004-09-18 Location: MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA World Boxing Council Middleweight Title (Hopkins’ 6th defense) World Boxing Association Middleweight Title (Hopkins’ 5th defense) International Boxing Federation Middleweight Title (Hopkins’ 19th defense) World Boxing Organization Middleweight Title (De La Hoya’s 1st defense) Through the first eight rounds, the two boxers fought a largely tactical, defense-oriented match. Going into the deciding ninth round, Hopkins was well ahead on two of the judges’ official scorecards with scores of 79–73 and 78–74, while De La Hoya held a narrow lead on the third with a score of 77–75. In the ninth, Hopkins began to aggressively attack De La Hoya, and with 1:34 left in the round, sent De La Hoya down with a well-executed left hook to De La Hoya’s liver. De La Hoya crumpled to the mat in pain and made no effort to answer the referee’s 10-count as he was counted out at 1:38 of the round, giving Hopkins the knockout victory.[4] For De La Hoya it was his first knockout loss in his professional career. It also remains the final knockout victory of Hopkins’ career to date. The nine wins he has picked up since have all been by way of decision The fight was the subject of The Ring Magazine’s 2004 “Superfight Collectible.“ Hopkins defended The Ring Magazine World Middleweight Title.