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Twitter Reacts to Bernard Hopkins Making History: Friends and Old Rivals Pay Respect

Bernard Hopkins won the light heavyweight championship at age 46 last night. Admiration has poured in since the scores were announced. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)
Bernard Hopkins won the light heavyweight championship at age 46 last night. Admiration has poured in since the scores were announced. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)
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Scott Christ is the managing editor of Bad Left Hook and has been covering boxing for SB Nation since 2006.

Friends, old rivals, and boxing admirers of the legendary Bernard Hopkins sent out messages of respect and congratulations to the 46-year-old "Executioner," who last night became the oldest man to ever win a major title by beating Jean Pascal in Montreal to win the legitimate light heavyweight championship of the world.

Hopkins reigned for years as dominant middleweight champion before losing a pair of close, disputed decisions to Jermain Taylor in 2005. In 2006, he was lined up for light heavyweight champ Antonio Tarver in a two-division jump that most felt at the time Hopkins was doing simply for the money. He destroyed Tarver. In 2008, he was again thought to be washed up after losing tight against Joe Calzaghe, and fought Kelly Pavlik. He destroyed Pavlik.

Last night, he mentally and physically dominated Pascal, once again defeating Father Time. Here are some reactions from those in boxing, via Twitter.

But before we jump to reactions from Joe Calzaghe, Antonio Tarver, Andre Dirrell and others, here's one that stood out to me today. This was posted before the fight. I think it says a lot.

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but an habit!!less than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet Reply

 

After the jump: Tons of kind words for the new champ from Joe Calzaghe, Lennox Lewis, Antonio Tarver, and more.

just want to send out a well deserved congrats to B-Hop for a workman like UD to become the oldest man to win a world title.less than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet Reply

B-Hop career has been filled with record breaking marks and it just goes to show what can be achieved through hard work, true legend.less than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet Reply

Congratulations to B-Hop for his victory. He's a true champ.less than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet Reply

AND NEW LIGHT HEAVY WEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLDless than a minute ago via ÜberSocial Favorite Retweet Reply

congrats to Bernard Hopkins God Is Great and he proved it tonight Thank you BHOPless than a minute ago via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet Reply

Bernard did his thing, 46! That's insane man, I have a feeling dawson vs hopkins don't happen thoughless than a minute ago via ÜberSocial Favorite Retweet Reply

@THEREALBHOP JUST SET A NEW STANDARD FOR BOXERS ALL OVER THE WORLD!!! I LOVE THIS MAN!!!less than a minute ago via Echofon Favorite Retweet Reply

@THEREALBHOP brings it home at 46 years old. What an amazing fighter of this era. One of the best. @GoldenBoyBoxing @hboboxing #boxingless than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhone Favorite Retweet Reply

@THEREALBHOP. RESPECT!!! (still mad at ya, though).less than a minute ago via TweetCaster Favorite Retweet Reply

@THEREALBHOP is a great fighter and living legend... but there aren't too many B-Hop's out there. #StayingRetiredless than a minute ago via Tweetie for Mac Favorite Retweet Reply

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