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Boxing

Hopkins beats Wright on points

22/07/2007

Bernard Hopkins has beaten Winky Wright by a unanimous points decision in Las Vegas to retain his IBO light heavyweight title.

It was a controversial decision with Wright claiming he was the rightful winner of the contest which Hopkins took 116-112, 117-111 and 117-111 after the fight went the distance.

The usually cagey Wright took the fight to the champion but Hopkins was able to counter punch and that scored well with the judges. Wright landed more punches than Hopkins and was aggrieved with the decision.

He was also incensed by tactics used by Hopkins when the pair were in clinches. Wright claimed the cut above his left eye was caused by a head-butt in the second round.

The 35-year-old looked strong in the middle rounds and Hopkins was warned by the referee for holding on as the fight wore on but the 42-year-old's consistent jab work was enough to seal victory.

"It was a dirty fight. He was head-butting all day and I thought I won it, but it was a close one," said Wright.

Adding: "I don't think the head-butt was intentional. It was a head-butt. That's that."

Hopkins admitted: It was a tough, very close fight. Winky is tough, and he kept coming. He knows that I respect him a lot."

The defeat was Wright's first for seven years while Hopkins has now won both of his bouts since coming out of retirement, having lost twice to middleweight champion Jermain Taylor in 2005.

Hopkins now has a record of 48 wins, four defeats and one draw in his 54 bouts and the veteran says he is keen to carry on fighting.

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