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Boxing

Taylor retains undisputed tag

04/12/2005

Jermain Taylor remains undisputed middleweight champion this morning after a unanimous points win over Bernard Hopkins in Las Vegas last night.

It was the second fight between the two after Taylor had ended Hopkins 10-year reign as champion back in July.

However, despite promises by the champion to knock out his 41-year-old opponent, the unanimity of the decision, in which all three judges awarded the bout to Taylor 115-113, was a better result for Taylor than the split points victory which gave him the title.

The fatal blow was not to be found on the night as Taylor once again sat back and worked Hopkins with his jab, waiting for an opportunity which, in the end, didn't materialise.

Taylor had much the better of the opening rounds but the former champion came into the bout in the latter stages.

Neither man, however, landed the telling blow and even though he claimed the final round on points, Hopkins' failure to counter Taylor's jab in the end proved his downfall.

"The difference in this fight, I think Bernard was stretching me a little more," Taylor said.

"He kept catching me with that right hand so I've still got work to do but I did win it."

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