Bernard Hopkins stopped Glen Johnson in Round 11 to retain his IBF middleweight title – July 20, 1997 (This Day In Boxing History)

July 20, 1997 – Bernard Hopkins stopped Glen Johnson in Round 11 to retain his IBF middleweight title at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California.

Hopkins, who was making his fifth title defense, dominated the undefeated challenger before landing a flurry of punches to the head that prompted referee Pat Russell to stop the fight. It was the first time that Johnson, who would go on to win the IBF light heavyweight title in 2004, was stopped in 33 pro bouts, and it was just one of two knockout losses in his 77-fight, 22-year career. Hopkins would eventually make a division-record 20 title defenses and become the undisputed world middleweight champion until losing to Jermain Taylor in July 2005.