WASHINGTON -- Bernard Hopkins made some more boxing history, and did it in rather easy fashion. Anthony Dixon Bills Jersey . Then, the 49-year-old boxer showed his age, referencing a TV character that might have gone over the heads of many young fans. "I was so in my living room watching Archie Bunker," Hopkins said, playfully comparing himself to the main character from the 1970s series "All in the Family." "I was so relaxed, so relaxed." Already the oldest boxer in history to hold a world championship, Hopkins became the oldest to win a unification bout Saturday night as he captured a split 12-round decision over Beibut Shumenov of Kazakhstan. Afterward, the Philadelphia native sounded far from finished -- or satisfied. "The pound-for-pound best fighter in the world right now is Floyd Money Mayweather," Hopkins said. "Ill tell you, behind Andre Ward, who I believe is second and should be, Im not that far from the top three. My age and the way Im doing it. "Im just telling you, Im not done yet." Hopkins was in complete control Saturday and it was reflected in the statistics. Of the 608 punches thrown by Shumenov, only 20 per cent landed. Of the 383 punches Hopkins threw, he landed 49 per cent. "I didnt do that when I was 30," Hopkins joked. "He was really surprised the way I could stand there and let him miss." When the split decision was announced the pro-Hopkins crowd of 6,823 jeered its disapproval. Two judges scored the fight 116-111 for Hopkins. The other judge gave the nod to Shumenov 114-113. "I shut him out," Hopkins said. If there was any doubt about the outcome, it was removed in the 11th round when Hopkins rocked Shumenov with a chopping overhand right for the only knockdown of the fight, igniting chants of "B-Hop! B-Hop!" from the D.C. Armory crowd. It was a reminder for Hopkins of 20 years ago, when he fought for the first time in Washington, losing a decision to Roy Jones Jr. at RFK Stadium, right across the street from the venue where Saturdays fight took place. "It motivates me every time I come to D.C. The dressing rooms, it took me back," said Hopkins, who improved to 55-6-2. After a slow start, in which he fought defensively, Hopkins controlled the action, growing confident, aggressive and playful as the fight progressed. The fourth round saw Shumenov moving forward, but Hopkins landed the two best shots, both right-handed counterpunches, to secure the edge. In the fifth, Hopkins was doing more than counterpunching. A straight overhand right landed squarely to the cheek of Shumenov. By the sixth round, it was clear that Hopkins confidence was growing as he became the aggressor, initiating the action and landing a big combination. In the seventh round, Hopkins was feeling so good that he alternated leading with his right and left hands, befuddling Shumenov, who fell to 14-2. "Im kind of angry that I lost the fight," Shumenov said. "I am a true warrior." Hopkins-Shumenov was one of three world title fights on Saturday. In the first, Peter Quillin of Brooklyn, N.Y., retained his WBO middleweight belt and improved to 31-0 with a unanimous 12-round decision over Lukas Konecky of the Czech Republic. In the IBF welterweight title match, Shawn Porter of Cleveland also remained undefeated with a fourth-round knockout of Brooklyns Paulie Malignaggi, who took time off from his job as an analyst for Showtime, which carried the nights action. Mike Williams Bills Jersey . Buck finished with two hits for the Indians, while starter Mitch Talbot threw 5 1/3 innings. He gave up two runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks, while striking out two. Niko Gallego and Tony Abreu had RBI doubles for Arizona. Colton Schmidt Bills Jersey . The Vikings announced Saturday they downgraded Peterson from doubtful on the original injury report to out against Detroit Sunday, when the Vikings and Lions will play the last game at the Metrodome. SAINT-DENIS, France -- France shrugged off a poor first-half performance to draw 17-17 at home to Ireland in the Six Nations on Sunday, ending its hopes of a Grand Slam and leaving Wales alone at the top of the standings. Ireland had only won twice in France in the past 40 years, and not at Stade de France since 2000, but a victory looked there for the taking after winger Tommy Bowes two tries put the Irish 17-6 up at halftime. "We were struggling at halftime. The players showed great spirit to come back, but when you give 10 points away to Ireland it becomes hard to win the game," France coach Philippe Saint-Andre said. "We wanted to start well in the first 15 minutes, but we played a bit too much in our half. It was when started to take control of the match that we conceded a (second try)." France failed to show much attacking creativity, and profited from an Ireland lapse in midfield to get back into the game when centre Wesley Fofana scored his third try in consecutive games early in the second half. France needed the steady kicking of scrumhalf Morgan Parra, who landed all four of his penalties, to escape with a point. "Were very disappointed with the result, although we came back into it well," France captain Thierry Dusautoir said. "In the dressing room it felt like a defeat," Saint-Andre said. "The Irish defend very well and contest the breakdown well. You have to congratulate the Irish, but you cant give points away easily like we did." Wales can clinch the Grand Slam by beating Italy and then France at home. France won its opening two matches, at home to Italy and away to Scotland, and plays England at Stade de France next Sunday. Bowe was at his opportunistic best, reading France centre Aurelien Rougeries telegraphed pass to intercept and score his first try. He scored his second from a brilliant individual effort, leaving the French defence stranded in a 60-meter run. Ireland coach Declan Kidney said his team gave away too many sloppy turnovers in the second half. "If youre not disappoited after you dont win, you shouldnt be in the job," Kidney said. Ireland captain Paul OConnell echoed that sentiment. "Were really disappointed with our second half performance," he said. "Were very frustrated." Ireland started the tournament with a last-minute home loss to Wales, before thumping Italy 42-10 last weekend. "We had an outstanding first half. We put them under so much pressuree but to come away with no points in the second half is a huge disappointment, and its a very quiet dressing room," Bowe said. Jerry Hughes Bills Jersey. . "Obviously we were very happy with the first half, to score two tries over here is very difficult." As in the previous two matches, France flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc struggled with his tactical kicking game and Ireland quickly started to get on top. Ireland took the lead when France decided to run the ball from its 22-yard line and Rougeries casual pass popped up invitingly for Bowe to run unchallenged and touch down under the posts in the 13th minute. Ireland then gave away a penalty for offside and Parra slotted over from close range to make it 7-3. But France was struggling to withstand Irelands power in the scrum and gave away another penalty, which Jonathan Sexton converted for 10-3. "We made too many mistakes in the ruck early on," Dusautoir said. The French pack finally forced Ireland to retreat as the half wore on, and referee Dave Pearson awarded another penalty. Parra kept France within touching distance with a fine kick from 45 metres. Ireland regained control shortly before the interval. The ball was spun along the line from left to right, and Bowe was 60 yards out when he collected a pass, palmed off a weak tackle from Fofana, kicked the ball expertly over the head of fullback Clement Poitrenaud, judged the bounce perfectly and sprinted into the right corner. Sextons conversion hit the inside of the post and sneaked over to put Ireland firmly in command. France started the second half brightly and Parra whipped the ball out to the blindside to Rougerie but Poitrenaud fumbled his pass. Thankfully for France, Parra kicked over a crucial penalty from a difficult angle wide left to make it 17-9. Fofana then scored a fine solo try. Trinh-Duc picked up a loose ball in midfield and quickly fed Fofana, who set off on an angled run and brushed off fullback Rob Kearneys desperate tackle to slide over near the corner. Parra tied the match with another clinical penalty from 40 yards. Ireland scrumhalf Connor Murray hurt his right knee after landing awkwardly and was replaced midway through the second half by Eoin Reddan. "Connor probably hyper-extended his knee," Kidney said. "It doesnt appear the ligaments are damaged." After Lionel Beauxis had missed with two drop goal attempts, left winger Julien Malzieu galloped down the wing but was held up just short of the line. ' ' '
