American Bernard Hopkins knocked out compatriot Oscar de la Hoya with a left hook to the body in the ninth round in Las Vegas on Saturday to retain the undisputed world middleweight title.
Hopkins, already owner of the WBC, WBA and IBF titles, added De la Hoya’s lightly regarded WBO title to his list.
Hopkins was ahead on two of the three judges’ cards when he connected with a big left to De la Hoya’s liver, sending the Los Angeles-born Mexican-American to the canvas with a groan.
Referee Kenny Bayless counted out the regulation 10, and with De la Hoya unable to rise declared the knock-out at one minute and 38 seconds of the ninth round. — Sapa-AFP