California Commission Declares Hopkins-Dawson a No Contest

Two months after referee Pat Russell ruled a second round TKO loss against WBC light heavyweight champ, Bernard Hopkins in his defense against Chad Dawson at the Staples Center, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) has overturned the decision in favor of a no contest.

The appeal hearing, initiated by Hopkins, featured several reviews of the controversial ending to the bout as well as the testimony of Russell, who agreed after watching the closing moments of the contest– a sequence that went from a missed Hopkins right hand into an awkward clinch and then saw Dawson lifting Hopkins’ leg while tossing him to the canvas– that the bout should’ve been ruled a no contest.

The WBC had declared a no contest a little over a week after the bout and returned the belt to Hopkins, but the official won-loss record continued to respect the original decision until the CSAC decided otherwise.

Tuesday’s no contest ruling will be reflected in The Boxing Tribune’s next light heavyweight rankings update.

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