Bernard Hopkins claims points win and revenge over Roy Jones Jr

Bernard Hopkins lands a punch on Roy Jones Jr during their fight in Las Vegas. Photograph: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Bernard Hopkins won a unanimous points decision over Roy Jones Jr in their long-delayed rematch on Saturday, emphatically avenging his loss against Jones nearly 17 years ago.

The 45-year-old Hopkins (51-5-1, 32 KOs) dominated nearly every round of their light-heavyweight bout, winning for the fifth time in his six fights since 2005. Hopkins's dominance survived a punch to the back of his head from Jones late in the sixth round. Hopkins, who was seeing spots throughout the later rounds, collapsed in his dressing room afterwards.

Both fighters were taken to a hospital for evaluation, although both left the Mandalay Bay Events Center without assistance.

"It was definitely worth it, and it was sweet revenge," Hopkins said. "It was really rough in there. He's a good fighter, and he tried to rough me up. I tried to tough it out, but I was seeing spots from the sixth round on."

Hopkins settled an old score against the 41-year-old Jones (54-7), who beat him by decision in May 1993. Jones has now lost six of his last 11 bouts, falling precipitously from his pedestal as arguably the most dominant fighter of the 90s.

"He's a defensive fighter, and he fought a smart fight," Jones said. "I had to chase him the whole time. The referee didn't warn him about [head butts], but every time I did something, I got a warning."

Judges Don Trella and Glenn Trowbridge scored it 117-110 for Hopkins, while Dave Moretti favoured him 118-109.

Hopkins used his strength from the beginning and a right hand in the second round appeared to open a cut near the left eye of Jones, who struggled to land combinations in the face of Hopkins's defence and aggression.

During a clinch in the sixth, Jones threw a left hand to the back of Hopkins's skull with 10 seconds left, and Hopkins immediately crumpled to the canvas. Hopkins stayed down for about three minutes but eventually recovered, before unleashing a stunning flurry of vicious punches to Jones' head, bringing the crowd to their feet.

The fighters kept trading shots well after the bell sounded, forcing the referee to break them up after a prolonged struggle against the ropes. A member of Jones's entourage jumped into the ring before order was restored and the fighters returned to their corners.

Jones then threw a right hand to the back of Hopkins's head with 20 seconds left in the eighth round, and Hopkins dropped to one knee.

Hopkins went to the canvas for a third time after Jones hit him with a low blow 45 seconds into the 10th round, staying down for another long stretch. Jones then got a recovery time-out in the 11th round when Hopkins charged into him with a flurry that included a clash of heads.