Bernard Hopkins vs Felix Trinidad

On September 29, 2001, Madison Square Garden in New York City hosted one of the most anticipated middleweight bouts. Bernard Hopkins, the WBC and IBF middleweight champion, faced Félix Trinidad, the WBA middleweight titleholder, in a unification fight billed as "And Then There Was One." This bout was the culmination of the Middleweight World Championship Series, aiming to crown the first undisputed middleweight champion since Marvin Hagler.

The fight, originally scheduled for September 15, was postponed due to the September 11 terrorist attacks, adding an emotional backdrop to the event. Trinidad entered as a 2-to-1 betting favourite, carrying a reputation as one of the world's best pound-for-pound fighters after dominating the welterweight and super welterweight divisions.

In his 14th title defence, Hopkins was looking to tie Carlos Monzón's record for middleweight title defences. Despite his experience, Hopkins was considered the underdog against the hard-hitting Trinidad.

The bout began cautiously, with both fighters feeling each other out in the early rounds. Hopkins, known for his brawling style, surprised many by employing a mobile, tactical approach. This strategy confused Trinidad, who struggled to consistently land his signature power punches.

As the fight progressed, Hopkins' superior boxing skills became increasingly evident. He consistently outmanoeuvred Trinidad, landing precise combinations while avoiding return fire. Trinidad had his moments, particularly in the sixth round, but struggled to sustain momentum.

The tenth round, later named The Ring Magazine Round of the Year for 2001, saw Trinidad come out aggressively, sensing the fight slipping away. However, Hopkins weathered the storm and finished the round strong, visibly shaking Trinidad.

The climax came in the 12th round when Hopkins dropped Trinidad with a powerful right hand. Trinidad's father and trainer, Felix Trinidad Sr., entered the ring to stop the fight at 1:18 of the round, giving Hopkins a TKO victory.

At the time of the stoppage, Hopkins was leading on all scorecards: 109-100, 107-102, and 107-102. The victory solidified Hopkins' status as one of the greatest middleweights in boxing history and earned him The Ring Fighter of the Year award for 2001.

Financially, the fight was successful, generating 475,000 pay-per-view buys and $20.4 million in revenue. Trinidad earned $9 million for the bout, while Hopkins received $2.5 million.

This fight marked a turning point in both fighters' careers. Trinidad would fight only a few more times before retiring. At the same time, Hopkins continued to dominate the middleweight division before moving up in weight and achieving further success, eventually becoming the oldest world champion in boxing history at age 46.

The Hopkins-Trinidad bout remains a significant moment in boxing history. It showcases the triumph of skill and strategy over raw power and highlights Hopkins' exceptional boxing IQ and longevity in the sport.