Kelly Pavlik vs. Bernard Hopkins

Unstoppable

Date	October 18, 2008
Venue	Boardwalk Hall Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
Tale of the tape
Boxer Kelly Pavlik Bernard Hopkins Nickname "The Ghost" "The Executioner" Hometown Youngstown, Ohio, U.S. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Pre-fight record 34–0 (30 KO) 48–5–1 (1) (32 KO) Age 26 years, 6 months 43 years, 9 months Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) Weight 169 lb (77 kg) 170 lb (77 kg) Style Orthodox Orthodox Recognition WBC, WBO and The Ring Middleweight Champion The Ring No. 7 ranked pound-for-pound fighter WBO No. 2 Ranked Light Heavyweight The Ring No. 1 Ranked Light Heavyweight The Ring No. 4 ranked pound-for-pound fighter 2-division world champion
Result
Hopkins wins via 12-round unanimous decision (119-106, 118-108, 117-109)

Kelly Pavlik vs. Bernard Hopkins, billed as Unstoppable, was a professional boxing match contested on October 18, 2008 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.[1]

Background

The bout was fought at a catch-weight of 170 lbs.

Fans and pundits alike felt that Pavlik, known for his formidable punching power, would become the first man to knock Hopkins out.[2] Pavlik was a 4–1 betting favorite heading into the contest.

The fight

The three judges scored the fight 119-106, 118-108, and 117-109 for Hopkins. The win by Hopkins ended Pavlik's previously unbeaten record, while Hopkins extended his legacy by dominating the then lineal middleweight champion.[3][4]

Aftermath

Ring Magazine named this fight upset of the year for 2008.[5]

Sports Illustrated also named this fight upset of the year for 2008.[6]

Undercard

Confirmed bouts:[7]

Broadcasting

Country	Broadcaster
Ireland &  United Kingdom	Setanta Sport[8]
United States	HBO

References

1. "Kelly Pavlik vs. Bernard Hopkins". boxrec.com. BoxRec. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
2. Bill Barner (17 October 2008). "Kelly Pavlik vs Bernard Hopkins: An Analysis". bleacherreport.com. Bleacher Report. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
3. Vester, Mark (October 19, 2008). "Bernard Hopkins Dominates Kelly Pavlik in a Classic". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved May 9, 2010.
4. Bernard Hopkins Beats Kelly Pavlik - The New York Times
5. "PAST WINNERS OF THE RIng's YEAR-END AWARDS | RingTV". Archived from the original on 2012-03-06. Retrieved 2012-03-11.
6. "Upset of the Year - Bernard Hopkins vs. Kelly Pavlik - SI.com's 2008 Boxing Awards - Photos - SI.com". Archived from the original on 2009-01-22. Retrieved 2012-10-22.
7. "BoxRec - event".
8. Adam Marshall (1 October 2008). "Boxing: Live on Setanta". setanta.com. Setanta Sports. Archived from the original on 12 October 2008. Retrieved 9 January 2025.

Preceded by vs. Gary Lockett	Kelly Pavlik's bouts 18 October 2008	Succeeded by vs. Marco Antonio Rubio
Preceded by vs. Joe Calzaghe	Bernard Hopkins's bouts 18 October 2008	Succeeded by vs. Enrique Ornelas
Awards
Previous: Vic Darchinyan vs. Nonito Donaire	The Ring Upset of the Year 2008	Next: Jorge Linares vs. Juan Carlos Salgado