California Commission cancels out Dawson victory, Hopkins loss overturned
After the hearing that included a dozen viewings of the controversial ending of the fight between Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson, the Califronia commission overturned Hopkins’ defeat, changing the result to a no decision. Dawson was declared as the winner
against Hopkins, in their light heavyweight championship fight at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, two months ago.
The referee, Patt Russell, who had declared Dawson the winner of the night, admitted before the commission that he missed the call that concluded the fight. The result of the match became controversial after the fight came to a sudden end.
Hopkins suffered, what was later diagnosed as the dislocation of joint that connects the shoulder with the collarbone, after Dawson lifted him and thrust him down to the canvas. This happened after Hopkins failed to covert his right hand punch into a confirmed
blow in the second round of the match. With Hopkins landing so awkwardly, it became virtually impossible for him to continue the fight.
He told the ringside doctor that he would continue the fight, but he could not continue due the outcome of an unintentional foul, enough to end the match with no decision. However, the referee failed observe that and awarded Dawson a controversial TKO victory.
“Pat Russell, a guy that said he saw something in the ring on the night of the fight, said he saw something different as he watched the tape," Hopkins told while speaking to media. "I respect the guy even more now. Pat Russell looked at the tape today and
they asked him, 'Do you see something today that you didn't see in the ring that night?' He said. 'Yes.'
“I think that it's the right decision," Golden Boy's Richard Schaefer, Hopkins' promoter, said. "Obviously, if you are allowed to lift someone off their feet and slam them to the ground, and there are no consequences, it would really destroy the sport."
The result of the match was disappointing and unfair to Hopkins who had not committed the foul intentionally. Some days after the match, he filed an appeal, requesting the California commission to look into the match result and overturn his loss.
After being declared the winner of the match, Dawson had declined Hopkins’ request for a rematch.
The decision will also see changes in the record of both the boxers.
Bernard Hopkins has a total of 52 wins, 5 losses, 2 draws, with 17 knockouts and two no-decisions.
Dawson’s record is 30 wins, 1 loss, with 17 knock-outs and two no-decisions.
The no decision ruling satisfied Hopkins, while Dawson was extremely disappointed and believed that the decision should have favoured him. Hopkins now has one fight remaining as part of his three-fight deal with HBO.
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