Chad Dawson has beaten veteran fighter Bernard Hopkins in their eagerly-awaited rematch to be crowned WBC light-heavyweight champion.

The judges handed the 29-year-old a majority decision after 12 fairly uninspiring rounds at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

Dawson was the better fighter throughout the contest and deservedly took the title he felt that he was wrongly denied in October.

That bout was called off in the second round after Dawson was adjudged to have slammed Hopkins to the canvas, injuring his shoulder.

This time, it was Dawson who was accidentally injured following a clash of heads in the fourth round, which opened up a deep cut near his left eye.

Despite the gash, Dawson was able to comfortable keep the 47-year-old at arms length to take his coveted title.