Kelly Pavlik Vs. Bernard Hopkins Round by Round Analysis - Hopkins thrashes Pavlik by easy unanimous decision

Final analysis: At 43, Hopkins put on a performance of historic standards. So what that he lost to pitter-pat puncher Joe Calzaghe, Hopkins looks like he has another five years left the way he fought tonight. He was in complete control, was able to do anything he wanted and looked like a fighter 15 years younger.

For Pavlik, tonight was a nightmare. Just a nightmare. He looked extremely limited as a fighter and was outworked throughout by Hopkins. His record is now 34-1 with 30 KOs, but his career just took a big hit. His performance was that bad.

More than anything, though, Bernard Hopkins deserves outright praise for his job tonight, and for his career in general. Hopkins is 49-5-1 in his brilliant career, and he very well could have more to come. Chad Dawson just beat Antonio Tarver, so a Hopkins-Dawson fight could make sense. And give Hopkins more world titles. Just a great performance for Hopkins.

Kelly Pavlik vs. Bernard Hopkins, round by round:

Round 1: Hopkins hasn’t thrown this many punches in his last four fights combined. Doesn’t land much but wins the round. Hopkins

Round 2: Not only does Hopkins throw more, he also wobbles Pavlik with a left hook. A welt’s forming under Pavlik’s right eye. He catches hell in the corner. Hopkins

Round 3: Let me tell you something, I saw Pavlik start slow against Jermaine Taylor and get dropped in round 2, so I’m by no means counting him out, but Hopkins is just lighting him up. l’ve taken issue with “The Executioner” in his fight against Winky Wright, but right now, Hopkins looks fantastic. Hopkins

Round 4: Hopkins is starting to clinch more but still outworking Pavlik. Pavlik is just not letting his hands go and Hopkins is doing to him what he did to Trinidad. Hopkins

Round 5: Another one in the bank for Bernard. However, Pavlik is starting to join the fray a bit more and landed a few solid rights and jabs. Hopkins may be slowing a bit. Hopkins.

Round 6: Pavlik has started letting his hands go more, but those hands are not as fast as the 43 year old’s. Still, Pavlik is not just head hunting. I’ll give this to Kelly for forcing the action. Hopkins is noticeably breathing from his mouth now. Pavlik

Round 7: A great round for Hopkins. With his defense, Pavlik can’t land much and Hopkins reeled off an impressive 15-punch rally in the middle of the ring. I’m beginning to think Pavlik is not up to the moment.. Hopkins certainly is. Hopkins

Round 8: Pavlik loses a point for holding behind the head. It’s a weak call, but for Hopkins, it’s perfect. He took the round off and counterpunched, while Pavlik carried the action. Pavlik is starting to show that he realizes he needs to do something big. Even.

Round 9: Hopkins loses a point for something. At this point it doesn’t matter, he is schooling Kelly Pavlik. Pavlik needs a knockout and it’s really hard to see that happening. Even

Round 10: I always wished I could have seen Archie Moore fight live, but I feel a little better seeing Hopkins tonight. Pavlik still hasn’t landed anything of significance. I think Hopkins could stop him. Hopkins

Round 11: Hopkins is clinching more but fighting extremely smart, smothering Pavlik’s long arms and picking him apart with counters. Pavik just has no answers whatsoever and looks like a beaten fighter. Hopkins

Round 12: Pavlik’s corner tells him he needs a KO. A sizzling combo stuns Pavlik and Hopkins spends the last round just flat-out embarrassing the formerly unbeaten fighter. Hopkins

I have it 117-109 for Hopkins. And it really wasn’t even that close. The judges concur. Hopkins by unanimous decision.

-WKW