By Rick Scharmberg and Kurt Wolfheimer at ringside
Photos: Ed Mulholland
In a grudge rematch, former world champion “Bad” Chad Dawson (31-1, 17 KOs) was too young, too fast and too strong for 47-year-old WBC light heavyweight world champion Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins (52-6-2, 32 KOs) and took a twelve round majority decision in a fight that never reached any heights on Saturday night at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. After their no-decision last October, Hopkins came out wrestling and clinching in classic Hopkins fashion. Dawson was cut on the side of his left eye by a headbutt in round four. Dawson was the aggressor and as the fight progressed he often outworked the future Hall of Famer. Dawson was cut over the right eye by a punch in round eight. Hopkins tried a tackle in round eleven, but Dawson never really let Hopkins back in the fight. Scores were 117-111, 117-111, 114-114.
In his post fight comments, Dawson called out super middleweight champion Andre Ward at light heavyweight or a catchweight. Hopkins refused to give an interview in the ring after the fight.
Highly regarded unbeaten American heavyweight hope Seth “Mayhem” Mitchell (25-0-1, 19 KOs) and “The Gentleman “Chazz Witherspoon (30-3, 22 KOs) for the vacant NABO heavyweight title. Witherspoon battered the WBO #6 Mitchell in round one, but Mitchell came back strong in round two and knocked down Witherspoon in round three. Referee Randy Neumann waved it off shortly after. Time was 2:31.
Junior middleweights: Shawn Porter (19-0, 14 KOs) dominated Patrick Thompson (18-18-1, 17 KOs), stopping him on his feet in the sixth round of a scheduled eight. Time of the stoppage was 1:39.
Junior welterweights: Mike Faragon (18-0, 8 KOs) W U 8 Sergio Rivera (25-10-2, 16 KOs). Judges scores read 78-74 and 79-73 (twice). There were no knockdowns.
Light heavyweights: Lavarn Harvell (9-0, 5 KOs) TKO 3 Tony Pietrantonio (7-9, 6 KOs)). Time of the stoppage was :31. Pietrantonio was knocked around the ring numerous times, down in the first and stopped for good after being brutally laid out after taking a right in the third.
Junior middleweights: Phil Lo Greco (23-0, 12 KOs) won a unanimous six round decision against Hector Orozco (5-11, 0 KOs). Scores were 59-54 and 58-55 twice. Orozco was down in the first.
Middleweights: Julian Williams (9-0-1, 4 KOs) W U 8 Hector Rosario (7-2, 5 KOs). Scores were 79-73 (twice) and 78-74 all for the unbeaten Williams.
