Boxing: Taylor triumphs over Hopkins

Bernard Hopkins and Jermain Taylor fought one of the most frustrating world middleweight title fights seen for many years at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas yesterday.

The pair met in July when Taylor was a disputed points winner, putting an end to Hopkins' 10-year reign.

The build-up to Saturday's fight was often explosive, but from the first bell the pair seemed intent on avoiding any contact at any cost.

When it was over all three judges scored narrowly in favour of Taylor, and it must be hoped that there will not be a third instalment because the fight was abysmal.

Hopkins, who is 41 in January, is planning one more fight, hoping it can take place in, or close to, his home city of Philadelphia.

Hopkins has been at the top for 10 years and in boxing for 17 years, and yesterday showed signs that age and weariness are starting to affect his performance.

For Taylor, there should be better fights ahead, and it is just a pity that he so miserably failed to take advantage and make a name for himself.

Both boxers thought that they had done enough to sneak the verdict, but when fighters are receiving in excess of $3m to $4m, they surely have a duty to perform slightly better than the two technical but reluctant competitors did here.

Taylor left Las Vegas without a bruise on his face and with three versions of the world middleweight title, but it is unlikely that he raised his profile at all, and for Hopkins the future looks far less certain.

It is clear that the old man of the ring will have one more fight and then finally call it quits.

On the domestic front, last Friday night, at the Wembley Conference Centre, five English boxers secured their places in the team for next March's Commonwealth Games in Melbourne by winning Amateur Boxing Association titles.

Stephen Smith, James Degale, Nick McDonald, Jamie Cox and Tony Jeffries will almost certainly be named on Wednesday when the English ABA selectors make their final choice.

It is expected that a squad of 11 will be named, but the selectors have a problem at heavyweight where Tony Bellew won his third ABA title but has lost twice to David Dolan, who in turn recently lost to Danny Price.

- INDEPENDENT