Hopkins to ‘continue career’ despite defeat

ATLANTIC CITY – Bernard Hopkins has vowed to fight on at 47 despite losing to Chad Dawson at the weekend.

Wednesday, May 02, 2012
Bernard Hopkins has vowed to fight on despite advancing years. Net photo.

ATLANTIC CITY – Bernard Hopkins has vowed to fight on at 47 despite losing to Chad Dawson at the weekend.The two-weight champion, who dominated the middleweight scene for more than a decade, lost his WBC light-heavyweight title in Atlantic City to a majority decision.Few would dispute the result, with Hopkins clearly not the force of old and increasingly relying on spoiling tactics to deny his opponent space to work.However, the veteran whose record now stands at 52-6 with two draws, still believes there are are fights out there for him."I fought hard Saturday night and feel the fight was closer than two of the scores reflected,” said Hopkins, who once vowed to retire at 40. "Regardless of the result, I will continue my career and challenge any champion in my division."I might be older, but I don’t feel a decline in my skills or abilities in the ring. I love to fight and am still competing at a level where boxing cannot deny me the opportunity to succeed.”The news will be music to the ears of Frank Warren, who has been hoping to lure Hopkins to England to fight WBO champion Nathan Cleverly - although the promoter may not be so keen now the WBC strap is in Dawson’s hands.