Hopkins wins 20th straight title defence
20 February, 2005
20 Feb 2005
Bernard Hopkins defeated British challenger Howard Eastman in a unanimous points decision after the judges scorecards read 119-110, 117-111, 116-112 in favor of the American. The 40 year old Hopkins who scored his 20th straight title defense said, "No other middleweight has accomplished that and it's an honour to make history at the age of 40."
The undisputed middleweight champion took home all four belts, the WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF as his prize. Hopkins paid tribute to Eastman saying, "He takes a hell of a shot and was able to give me some good shots but I gave them back. I give him a B-minus. The fans wanted to see a war and I gave it to them in parts but I don't fight that way, I just turn it up when I have to."
Eastman was far from happy with the tactics employed by the champion saying, "He didn't fight like a true champion - he has got to give me a rematch. He ran from me the whole time. He was the champion in his backyard and I dictated the pace. I am very disappointed. He never hurt me, I felt I was hitting him and he didn't land a lot."
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