Dawson beats Hopkins on points

Chad Dawson beat Bernard Hopkins by a unanimous points decision to take the WBC light-heavyweight title in Atlantic City on Saturday.

The fight was a re-match following a controversial bout in Los Angeles last October, which was initially awarded to Dawson on technical knock-out but was overturned after a review and declared a technical draw. Dawson was adjudged by the WBC to have deliberately fouled Hopkins, throwing him to the canvas out of a clinch and injuring the 47-year-old's shoulder. Saturday's follow-up fight also contained controversy, with Dawson receiving a cut above his left eye after an accidental Hopkins headbutt in round four. Dawson then almost threw Hopkins out of the ring in the next round, while in round 11 veteran Hopkins wrestled his opponent to the canvas. Two judges scored the fight 117-111 in Dawson's favour, the other 114-114. "I kept my composure," Dawson said after the fight. "Bernard fought his heart out, but I'm the younger guy, so I had to be the aggressor. I kept my composure even with all the head-butts. "My head is hurting from all of the head-butts. But I've got to give him credit. He's a future Hall of Famer. "He's a helluva fighter, but he is a dirty fighter. If you can get through 12 rounds with him, you can get through anything."