Bernard Hopkins vs Antwun Echols

On December 12, 1999, at the Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort in Miami, Florida, Bernard Hopkins defended his International Boxing Federation Middleweight Title against Antwun Echols. This bout marked Hopkins' 10th defence of his IBF crown.

The fight was promoted by Matt Tinley and broadcast on HBO Sports. Hopkins entered the ring with a record of 35 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, while Echols, the #1 IBF Middleweight contender, came in with 22 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw.

At the weigh-in, Hopkins tipped the scales at 158½ pounds, while Echols made the middleweight limit at 160 pounds.

The bout was marked by a controversial moment when Echols landed a right hand on Hopkins while the referee, Frank Santore Jr., was administering a break. This punch knocked Hopkins down, but Echols was only warned for hitting on the break rather than a point deduction or disqualification.

Despite this incident, Hopkins' superior skills and experience prevailed throughout the 12-round fight. The judges' scorecards reflected Hopkins' dominance: John Rupert and Vaughn LaPrade scored the bout 118-110, while Bill Ray had it even wider at 119-109, all in favour of Hopkins.

This unanimous decision victory further solidified Hopkins' status as the premier middleweight of his era. For Echols, despite the loss, going the distance with the champion earned him respect and set the stage for a rematch the following year.

The fight demonstrated Hopkins' ability to overcome adversity and maintain his composure even when faced with questionable tactics from his opponent. It also highlighted the importance of clean fighting and the role of the referee in maintaining order in the ring.