Boxing: Light heavyweight champion beaten

Bernard Hopkins won a unanimous decision over light heavyweight boxing champion Antonio Tarver with a masterful performance in Atlantic City yesterday.

Capping an 18-year boxing career, the 41-year-old former middleweight champion, who jumped two weight classes in hopes of going out with a bang, did it in style, dismantling the 3-1 favourite with solid right leads, savvy defence and aggressive ringmanship.

"Half man, half amazing!" he yelled to the crowd, standing on the ring ropes when it was over.

Hopkins, who reigned for 11 years as middleweight champion before a pair of losses last year, tied Tarver (24-4) in knots from the opening bell.