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Hopkins retired with an incredible record and is one of the most decorated boxers everCredit: getty<\/p>\n
The American’s career spanned 28 years, but what was so impressive across his 67-fight career was how he was able to remain at such a high level even during his twilight years.<\/p>\n
But one of his most iconic outings came when he shared the ring with De La Hoya in 2004.<\/p>\n
Their fight was marketed as a clash of both style and personality.<\/p>\n
As they laced up their gloves, with the WBO belt on the line, Hopkins was out to make history.<\/p>\n
He did just that, in ways that he had probably not even envisioned as he entered the ring that night.<\/p>\n
After ending their fight with a perfectly placed shot, that left his opponent folded over, Hopkins went on to continue etching his name in boxing’s history books.<\/p>\n
What happened in the ring that night?<\/p>\n
De La Hoya edged the early rounds on the judge’s scorecards, as Hopkins started out more cautiously.<\/p>\n
The Mexican-American had thrown more punches in the second round, which contributed to his early success.<\/p>\n
But he failed to inflict any real damage on Hopkins, who was focusing on making mental notes as his opponent scored the early points.<\/p>\n
In the third round, Hopkins managed to edge a lead on the scorecards as he began to increase the pressure on De La Hoya.<\/p>\n
As the fight progressed past the fifth, ‘The Alien’ was beginning to wear his rival down with calculated body shots.<\/p>\n
5<\/p>\n Hopkins grew more aggressive in the later rounds as De La Hoya’s flurries droppedCredit: Getty 5<\/p>\n The moment Hopkins made history and left De La Hoya grimacing as the referee counted him outCredit: Getty<\/p>\n De La Hoya’s speed began to decline, while Hopkins remained composed.<\/p>\n In the eighth round, De La Hoya was visibly effected by a few body shots, which ultimately foreshadowed his fate.<\/p>\n As Hopkins sent ‘Golden Boy’ down in the ninth round, he became the first man to knock De La Hoya out.<\/p>\n He also became the first boxer in history to be in possession of the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO 160lbs titles simultaneously.<\/p>\n And so began the four-belt era.<\/p>\n What happened to Bernard Hopkins after beating Oscar De La Hoya?<\/p>\n With his legacy cemented as one of the greatest, he continued his middleweight reign that spanned over 10 years.<\/p>\n 5<\/p>\n De La Hoya and Hopkins actually work together now as promoters under the former’s Golden Boy PromotionsCredit: Getty<\/p>\n When he lost via split decision to Jermain Taylor in 2005, it marked the end of his impressive run at the top.<\/p>\n But, instead of retiring he made the moved up to light heavyweight, despite being almost 41.<\/p>\n How else did Hopkins make history in his career?<\/p>\n Hopkins broke his own sensational record of being the oldest champion in the sport’s history on multiple occasions.<\/p>\n He first claimed the record, aged 46, when he defeated Jean Pascal for the WBC and lineal light heavyweight titles.<\/p>\n The record was previously held by George Foreman, who was the previous oldest champion at 45<\/a>.<\/p>\n Two years after first dethroning Foreman, Hopkins broke his own record when he beat Tavoris Cloud in 2013.<\/p>\n![\"Hopkins](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-539705692.jpg\")
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