Boxing: Hopkins wins finale

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Turning back the clock with a masterful performance, Bernard Hopkins won a unanimous decision over light-heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver on Saturday, capping an 18-year career.

The 41-year-old former middleweight champion, who jumped two weight classes in hopes of going out with a bang, did it in style, dismantling the 3-1 favorite with solid right leads, savvy defense and aggressive tactics.

"Half man, half amazing!" Hopkins shouted to the crowd, standing on the ring ropes when the IBO light-heavyweight-title bout was over.

Hopkins (47-4-1) reigned for 11 years as middleweight champion before two losses last year. The 37-year-old Tarver (24-4) had agreed to pay $250,000 to a charity of Hopkins' choosing if he didn't knock out the challenger in five rounds or less.

In the fifth round, Hopkins caught Tarver flush in the face with a right hand, knocking him backward. Referee Benjy Estevez Jr. ruled it a knockdown because Tarver's left glove touched the canvas as he struggled to stay on his feet.

The crowd of 10,200 in Boardwalk Hall was loaded with partisans from Hopkins' hometown of Philadelphia, and they rooted him on with shouts of "B-Hop! B-Hop!"

Hopkins stayed in control in the later rounds, waiting for Tarver to swing and then unleashing five- and six-punch combinations as he chased him across the ring.

Tarver fought the later rounds the way he fought the early ones — tentatively, rarely landing punches.

"It wasn't my night," he said. "You have days like this."

Other fights

• Miguel Cotto improved to 27-0 by successfully defending his WBO junior-welterweight title with a unanimous decision over Paulie Malignaggi in New York. Malignaggi dropped to 21-1.

• Tommy Zbikowski, a standout safety for the Notre Dame football team, made his pro debut in the ring with a 49-second, first-round knockout of Robert Bell in New York. Zbikowski, 21, earned $25,000. He knocked down Bell, 32, twice.

Zbikowski is able to be a pro in one sport and amateur in another according to NCAA rules, as long as he does not receive money for endorsements or commercials.