Bernard Hopkins vs Oscar De La Hoya

On Saturday, 18th September 2004, the highly anticipated fight between Bernard Hopkins and Oscar De La Hoya took place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. This bout, promoted by Top Rank and aired on HBO Pay-per-view, showcased a clash between two boxing legends for the WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO World Middleweight Titles. With a catchweight of 157 pounds agreed upon by both fighters, they stepped into the ring with De La Hoya weighing 155 lbs and Hopkins weighing 156 lbs. Experienced referee, Kenny Bayless, was tasked with overseeing the contest.

The stakes were high for both fighters, with Hopkins making $10 million and De La Hoya making a whopping $30 million from the event. Despite De La Hoya's popularity, Hopkins entered the fight as a 2 to 1 favorite, carrying the momentum of his previous successful title defenses. The bout promised to be a thrilling encounter, with both fighters eager to prove themselves as the superior middleweight.

The first eight rounds of the fight were marked by tactical exchanges. Hopkins' experience and ring savvy began to show as he began to gradually find openings and exploit De La Hoya's defense, while De La Hoya continued to showcase his trademark speed and power.

In the ninth round, Hopkins seized an opportunity to land a devastating left hook to De La Hoya's body. The powerful blow dropped De La Hoya to the canvas, and he was unable to beat the referee's count, resulting in a knockout victory for Bernard Hopkins. With this win, Hopkins not only defended his existing titles but also secured De La Hoya's WBO World Middleweight Title.

The fight generated significant interest and revenue, as it produced 1 million pay-per-view buys, totaling $56 million. This high-profile contest cemented both fighters' legacies, with Hopkins further solidifying his status as one of the greatest middleweights of all time, and De La Hoya's career as a boxing superstar remaining intact despite the loss.