Headbutt pivotal in Hopkins' win over Wright

Hopkins claims that plan did not include a timely headbutt. Still, it turned out to be the decisive blow in the latest remarkable chapter of Hopkins' career.

The 42-year-old Hopkins earned another stunning victory in the twilight of his fighting days Saturday night, ending Wright's 7 1/2-year unbeaten streak with a unanimous decision in their 170-pound light heavyweight matchup at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Hopkins (48-4-1, 32 KOs) landed his biggest blow when he opened a gash over Wright's left eye with a headbutt in the third round. Hopkins spent the night picking at it as Wright (51-4-1) scrambled and counterpunched.

"You put the bait out there, the fish gets a little closer, and then you pull the bait back," Hopkins said, calling it a "bait-and-switch" plan.

It worked — and Wright was sunk.

"It was a tough fight, a very close fight," Hopkins said. "Winky is tough, and he kept coming. He knows that I respect him a lot. I had no ill intent. It was all good for both gentlemen, and boxing is back."

Hopkins retired last year after a career highlighted by 21 straight middleweight title defenses and last year's shocking win over Antonio Tarver.

Months later, he abandoned retirement for a shot at the 35-year-old Wright, who had not lost in 13 fights since December 1999.

Wright grew frustrated and tired in the late rounds, and Hopkins stuck with his patient, steady strategy in a light-heavyweight fight featuring more action than most expected from two defensive masters.

Wright was active and resilient, but Hopkins usually was a half-step ahead.

Judges Glenn Trowbridge and Dave Moretti scored it 117-111 for Hopkins, and Glenn Hamada scored it 116-112.

The statistics were nearly as even as the fight. Hopkins landed 152 of his 640 punches, and Wright landed 167 of his 618.

The night started tough and got worse for Wright, who didn't appear comfortable at the heaviest weight of his career.

"I won the fight," said Wright, who doesn't plan to fight again at 170. "It was a dirty fight. He was headbutting all day. I still want to fight the best. I thought I won the fight, but it was a close fight. … I don't think the headbutt was intentional. It was a headbutt. That's that."