I came across an old rescore I must have did since it is in my hand writing. My memory is lacking a little bit but I do remember seeing this fight ranked on the top 100 controversial boxing matches of all time. This is the score along with notes I came up with. 1. Both fighters met in the middle and went straight to work. Winky tried several times to get a sustained attack but was stopped with Hopkins sneaky style. Hopkins 2. The referee had to yell at Hopkins to stop holding . Winky did a lot better. Wright 3. An accidental collision of heads with Winky getting the short end of the stick resulting in his left eye being split open. Even 4. Harry Lederman accused Hopkins of excessive holding and running away and was upset that referee Robert Byrd did not call it. Wright 5. Winky did not backdown and landed good body power shots but Hopkins out worked him. Hopkins 6. Winky and Hopkins did good with the body but Hopkins out worked Winky up top. Hopkins 7. At this point in the fight Harry Lederman had Winky up 58 to Hopkins 56. Hopkins turning , twisting and angles were too much for Winky and it took its toll. Hopkins 8. The Harry Lederman card had Winky up 68 to Hopkins 65. Winky outworks Hopkins. Wright 9. The blood was really flowing into Winky's eye. Robert Byrd yelled at Hopkins for pushing down on Winky's neck then shortly after Byrd gave Hopkins a hard warning. Aside from that Hopkins dominates the round. Hopkins 10. The Harry Lederman card had Winky up 87 to Hopkins 84. Even 11. Harry Lederman had Winky up 96 to Hopkins 94. Winky slides away with the round. Wright 12. Harry Lederman had Winky winning 105 to Hopkins 104. Hopkins got in some good head shots but that's it. Winky dominates the round. Wright B-Hop 5 rounds to Wrights 5 rounds and 2 rounds even is what I came up with. Draw. Thoughts?
Haven't seen it in a long time but I remember thinking Hopkins won it by 2 or 3 points I guess? Been awhile. I remember Bernard was making Winky look pretty bad towards the end.
Loved how Winky retaliated by headbutting Hopkins. The look on Hopkins face as he looked at the referee
I remember having it for BHOP but it was close. Winky performed well considering he was fighting well above his natural fighting weight.
Definitely not the most exciting fight as I recall, or don't recall as the case may be. Which is probably a good thing. I am always partial to Philly fighters & Bernard is certainly no exception, I often wonder how much greater he'd have been if his physical & mental prime had come at the same time. By the time he was fully mature in the boxing brain, he was past his physical peak, imo.
