WHEREAS, On March 9, 2013, Bernard Hopkins aka "The Executioner" at age 48, became the oldest man to win a major boxing title, scoring a unanimous noncontroversial decision in a 12-round victory over previously undefeated 31-year-old Tavoris Cloud to secure the International Boxing Federation Light Heavyweight Championship title; and
WHEREAS, Hopkins landed 110 of 227 power punches, a remarkable 48 percent according to CompuBox statistics, and had no trouble out-punching and out-landing overall punches against the younger Cloud at 169-139 to sweep the judges' scorecards (116-112, 116-112, and 117-111); and
WHEREAS, Fighting professionally for 25 years, Hopkins scored a well-earned unanimous-decision victory against Cloud who is 17 years Hopkins' junior, to win a light heavyweight world title for the third time and to establish a new world record; and
WHEREAS, Hopkins made history at age 46 by defeating Jean Pascal for the World Boxing Council Light Heavyweight title in May 2011, when he broke the world record previously held by George Foreman. By claiming another 175-pound Light Heavyweight title against Cloud, Hopkins broke his own record as the oldest fighter in boxing history to win a major belt; and
WHEREAS, Born and raised in Philadelphia in the Raymond Rosen projects of North Philadelphia, Hopkins turned to crime early in his life. By age 13, he was mugging people and had been stabbed three times and was arrested more than 30 times before he turned 17; and
WHEREAS, While incarcerated at Graterford State Prison on an 18-year sentence for armed robbery and eight other felonies, Hopkins commenced his boxing career; and
WHEREAS, Hopkins also known at the time as Prisoner No. Y4146 became a jailhouse boxing champion with a drive to turn his life around. Within seven years, Hopkins had fought his way out of hell -- otherwise known as D-block -- to the middleweight championship; and
WHEREAS, Without an Olympic pedigree or the backing of a top-shelf promoter, Hopkins became a star by being undefeated for 18 years while defending the middleweight crown 20 times between 1995 and 2005 (establishing a division-record); and
WHEREAS, Hopkins then moved up two weight divisions and twice won light heavyweight titles after his 40th birthday. This latest victory marks his third stint as a 175-pound champion; and
WHEREAS, Hopkins attributes his youth-defying, amazing physical fitness to an ascetic lifestyle that excludes drugs, alcohol, and unhealthy foods such as donuts or pizza and incorporates a regular exercise regimen; and
WHEREAS, Many youth in Philadelphia experience unfavorable circumstances and barriers to success that plighted Hopkins his youth and such find inspiration and motivation from Hopkins amazing achievements; and
WHEREAS, Hopkins' demonstrates superior physical fitness and a dedication healthy eating and an active lifestyle that serves as an important role model to all Philadelphians for the remarkable benefits of physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle; and now therefore, at a time when obesity has become a public crisis in Philadelphia; now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE PHILADELPHIA CITY COUNCIL, Honors Philadelphia's self-made Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Bernard Hopkins aka "The Executioner," for establishing a new world record by winning the International Boxing Federation Light Heavyweight Championship title and for being an exemplary role model by overcoming numerous barriers to achieve success and for demonstrating to all Philadelphians the remarkable benefits of physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Philadelphia's self-made Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Bernard Hopkins aka "The Executioner," as a sincere expression of the genuine appreciation, admiration and respect of this legislative body.
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