Hopkins Wright Fight: Bernard Hopkins Wins by Decision

Bernard Hopkins beat Winky Wright Saturday night by decision in a much anticipated bout that went the full 12 rounds.

The Hopkins Wright fight nearly got started at the weigh-in. 

That's when Hopkins shoved Winky Wright with an open-hand to the face. The cheapshot ignited a mass of pushing and shoving among those on the makeshift stage, offering a camera-ready melee that heightened emotions and perhaps pay-per-view sales for tonight's showdown (HBO PPV, $49.95).

"It's called 'Coming To Fight' and as you can see we're coming to fight," Wright said after order was restored.

No one was seriously injured, though Hopkins' trainer Freddie Roach reportedly suffered bruised ribs while getting knocked off the stage.

Hopkins winning by decision had been listed with 7 to 5 odds at Sportsbook.com with the potential for a $140 payout on every $100 bet.  This fight generated plenty of buzz in the betting community compared to other more recent boxing bouts. 

Hopkins by knockout was listed with 8 to 1 odds; Wright by decision was listed with even odds but a KO by Wright anticipated the least likely outcome by oddsmakers who assigned 10 to 1 odds to that outcome. 

Wright entered this bout as the former Undisputed Junior Middleweight Champion of the World and a current middleweight contender.  He had 51 wins, 3 losses, 1 draw and 25 of those wins were by KO.  A favorite in the hip hop community, Winky has appeared in music videos for Busta Rhymes' "Touch It Remix", 50 Cent's "Outta Control Remix" (feat. Mobb Deep) and Jamie Foxx's "DJ Play a Love Song" (feat. Twista).

Hopkins, nicknamed The Executioner, was the undisputed holder of the Middleweight championship belts from all 4 major sanctioning bodies (WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO). He defended his Middleweight title 20 times, more than any middleweight in history .

His career record stood at 47 wins, 4 losses, 1 draw, and 1 no contest with 32 knockouts coming into this HBO Pay Per View event at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. 

During Round 3, Hopkins appeared to hit Wright with an intentional head butt.  With most of the early rounds, Winky Wright appeared to have a slight edge.  The later rounds appeared to be going Hopkins way.  While close, most of the rounds were not entirely eventful and towards the bout's end, the crowd began booing.  

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Christopher Costigan, Sports911.com

Originally published July 22, 2007 12:11 am ET