Hopkins is oldest world boxing champion at 46

Bernard Hopkins (R) of the USA punches Canada\'s Jean Pascal during their heavyweight championship fight in Montreal MONTREAL - AFP   American ring veteran Bernard Hopkins has become the oldest major champion in boxing history at 46 years old by dethroning Jean Pascal for the World Boxing Council light heavyweight title. Hopkins came on strong in the middle rounds and hung on in the 12th against the hard-hitting Canadian Pascal to get the decision in front of a crowd of 17,750 at the Bell Centre arena Saturday.
Hopkins won a unanimous decision against Pascal in an entertaining rematch of their December 18 draw in Quebec City, Canada.
\"I have always fought with heart and courage to get a guy out of there,\" Hopkins said. \"You save the best for last. I want to go out a winner and not beat up, punch drunk and not broke.\"
Hopkins (52-5-2) is 126 days beyond his 46th birthday. He is 24 days older than US heavyweight legend George Foreman was when Foreman defended the International Boxing Federation crown against Germany\'s Axel Schulz in 1995 with a split-decision victory.

Foreman, then 45, became the oldest fighter to take a world title when he knocked out fellow American Michael Moorer 2:03 into the 10th round to claim the IBF and World Boxing Association heavyweight crowns on November 5, 1994.
Hopkins, of Philadelphia, started slow but managed to build up points by winning most of the middle rounds. He taunted Pascal by sticking out his tongue and doing pushups in the centre of the ring between rounds.
Hopkins landed more punches but Pascal had him in trouble on a couple of occasions but couldn\'t finish him off.
Hopkins vowed to keep going for several more years.
\"I am going to fight until I am 50,\" he said. \"I didn\'t feel like I am 46 but closer to 36.

\"I worked hard for this. I have been accused of being boring but I just wanted to buy time and buy years. Before I leave this game you are going to see the best fights of Hopkins\' career.\"
While they squabbled before the fight and took liberties with each other during exchanges and after the round bells, Hopkins and Pascal spoke highly of each other once it was all over.
\"Pascal is tough and strong if this doesn\'t discourage him I don\'t see anyone beating this strong bull from Canada,\" Hopkins said.
The 26-year-old Pascal, of Montreal, said he hopes to learn from this loss.

\"I did my best it was a close fight,\" he said. \"Bernard has a good defence and a lot of tricks. He won the fight but I would like to have a rematch.
\"I am a young fighter. I am going to come back stronger\"
Pascal said fighting Hopkins twice had been important in the development of his career so far.
\"He\'s a great champion. These two fights will help take me to the next level. I learned a lot from Bernard and his style.\"