Hopkins wins Vegas points decision over Wright

Bernard Hopkins defeated Winky Wright by a unanimous points decision in Las Vegas on Saturday to remain the universally recognised light-heavyweight world champion. One judge scored the bout 116-112, while the other two had it 117-111 in favour of Hopkins.

Although the fight was contested at a catch-weight of 170 pounds, five pounds below the light-heavyweight limit, the bout was for the linear light-heavyweight title, which Hopkins won by defeating Antonio Tarver in June last year.

When the contest was announced, some critics predicted it would be a boring bout, given both boxers' counter-punching tendencies. However, the two men frequently engaged in crowd-pleasing flurries and fought at a high pace throughout.

Hopkins attributed some of the intensity to a melee at the weigh-in on Friday, when he shoved Wright in the face, prompting a brief brawl between the boxers' camps.

As a result of that incident, the Nevada State Athletic Commission has temporarily withheld 10 per cent of Hopkins's $3 million purse, pending an investigation.