Joe Calzaghe Beats Bernard Hopkins for Light Heavyweight Title

Bernard Hopkins lost his world light heavyweight title to Joe Calzaghe tonight in Las Vegas, with Calzaghe scoring a solid split decision victory and erasing any doubt that he's one of the elite boxers in the world.

The scores were 114-113 for Hopkins, 115-112 for Calzaghe and 116-111 for Calzaghe. Hopkins entered the fight as the world light heavyweight champion; Calzaghe was the super middleweight champion.

Calzaghe went down just a minute into the first round, but he seemed more surprised than hurt when he hit the canvas, and after that he was clearly the better fighter. Calzaghe controlled the tempo of the fight and set the tone, although Hopkins showed his typical superior defense.

The fight was not without controversy. Calzaghe landed two low blows, and the second, in the 10th round, caused Hopkins to take the full allotment of five minutes to recover, wincing in pain throughout, although he may have been engaging in some theatrics. Hopkins also had his share of questionable to cheap shots, although ref Joe Cortez never took a point away from either fighter.

Calzaghe improved his perfect record to 45-0. Hopkins falls to 48-5-1.

Calzaghe-Hopkins Photos

Robert Earl (L), co-chairman of the Planet Hollywood hotel and casino, and actor Sylvester Stallone attend the official weigh-in of Bernard Hopkins of the U.S. and Joe Calzaghe of Wales at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada April 18, 2008. Hopkins and Calzaghe will fight at the Thomas & Mack Center April 19. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES)

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Boxers Bernard Hopkins (L) of the U.S. and Joe Calzaghe of Wales face off during an official weigh-in at the Planet Hollywood hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada April 18, 2008. Hopkins and Calzaghe will fight at the Thomas & Mack Center ON April 19. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES)

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LAS VEGAS - APRIL 18: (M) Promoter Frank Warren holds back boxers (L-R) Bernard Hopkins and Joe Calzaghe of Wales as they face-off after their official weigh-in for their light heavyweight fight at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino April 18, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hopkins will fight Calzaghe on April 19, 2008 in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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LAS VEGAS - APRIL 18: (M) Promoter Frank Warren holds back boxers (L-R) Bernard Hopkins and Joe Calzaghe of Wales as they face-off after their official weigh-in for their light heavyweight fight at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino April 18, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hopkins will fight Calzaghe on April 19, 2008 in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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LAS VEGAS - APRIL 18: Aaron West of Wales, a fan of boxer Joe Calzaghe of Wales, cheers him on before the start of the official weigh-in for his fight against Bernard Hopkins at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino April 18, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hopkins will fight Calzaghe on April 19, 2008 in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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LAS VEGAS - APRIL 18: (L-R) Actors Sylvester Stallone and Michael J. Fox attend the Bernard Hopkins and Joe Calzaghe of Wales official weigh-in for their light heavyweight fight at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino April 18, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hopkins will fight Calzaghe on April 19, 2008 in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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Boxer Joe Calzaghe of Wales kisses his bicep muscle during an official weigh-in at the Planet Hollywood hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada April 18, 2008. Calzaghe will fight Bernard Hopkins of the U.S. at the Thomas & Mack Center April 19. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES)

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Planet Hollywood CEO Robert Earl (L) and actor Sylvester Stallone talk before a weigh-in for boxers Bernard Hopkins of the U.S. and Joe Calzaghe of Wales, at the Planet Hollywood hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada April 18, 2008. REUTERS/R. Marsh Starks (UNITED STATES)

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Boxer Bernard Hopkins of the U.S. flexes on the scale during an official weigh-in at the Planet Hollywood hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada April 18, 2008. Hopkins will fight Joe Calzaghe of Wales at the Thomas & Mack Center April 19. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES)

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Boxer Joe Calzaghe of Wales flexes on the scale during an official weigh-in at the Planet Hollywood hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada April 18, 2008. Calzaghe will fight Bernard Hopkins of the U.S. at the Thomas & Mack Center April 19. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES)

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