Joe Smith Jr. the first fighter to TKO Bernard Hopkins

Joe Smith Jr. the first fighter to TKO Bernard Hopkins

Joe “The Beast” Smith Jr. became the first fighter to knock out the legend Bernard Hopkins as he knocked Hopkins completely out of the ring with a vicious 4 punch combination in the 8th round. Hopkins was unable to beat the 20 count administered by referee Jack Reiss constituting a knockout win by Smith Jr. (the bout was officially declared a TKO victory). The fight was the main event on HBO Championship Boxing.

read more

Smith, Jr. Upsets Hopkins in his Farewell Fight

Smith, Jr. Upsets Hopkins in his Farewell Fight

Joe Smith, Jr., landed five left and right hooks in the eighth round and then connected on a devastating left hook that knocked Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins out of the ring and caused him to land hard on his head and twist his right ankle. Hopkins was unable to get back into the ring before the twenty second count expired, which gave Smith, Jr. the unexpected technical knockout victory with 53 seconds left in the round. This was the last bout of Hopkins’ outstanding Hall of Fame career that began 28 years ago in 1988.

This fight took place at the Forum in Inglewood, California. It was broadcasted on HBO Champion Boxing.

read more

Smith Jnr-Hopkins: will there be a rematch; will Hopkins roll the dice for one more “final 1!”

Smith Jnr-Hopkins: will there be a rematch; will Hopkins roll the dice for one more “final 1!”

The fairy-tail ending didn’t come for the great Bernard Hopkins last night, as his “Final 1” against the much younger Joe Smith Junior saw the amazing 51 year old punched out of the ring in the 8th-round and TKO’d to defeat. Hopkins cried foul afterwards, saying Smith pushed him out of the ring, but replays show Hopkins was punched out.

It’s a shame Hopkins, 52 next month, wasn’t able to go out a winner, while it’s also a shame Hopkins was unable to accept the loss for what it was – a loss. Hopkins suggested the result should have been a no-contest, and while he also said last night’s bout will indeed be his last one as advertised, there is always a chance Hopkins will change his mind in the coming days, weeks or months.

read more

Joe Smith Jr. sends Bernard Hopkins into retirement

Joe Smith Jr. sends Bernard Hopkins into retirement

Joe Smith, Jr. (23-1, 19 KOs) retained his WBC International Light Heavyweight Title with a technical knockout victory after sending Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins (55-8-2, 32 KOs) through the ropes in the eighth round. Hopkins was unable to get back into the ring after sustaining an injury to his ankle, and the fight was stopped at 53 seconds into round eight.

“It feels great, it’s the best feeling in the world to accomplish something I set out for and wanted to do,” said Joe Smith, Jr. “I had seen him every time I threw the right hand, he was throwing the left. I had seen him fall, and I kept hitting him until I saw him go out, and I landed that left hook until he went out. I knew he had time to go out, but I hit him with four or five clean shots and they were good shots on the button. I knew he was a true champion, and if he didn’t get injured he’d be back here. I came here to do my job, and this is my coming out party too. I had to finish him, it was either my career was going to end and his was going to end, but I needed mine to continue. I’m going to get back in the gym and train hard for my next opponent. I’m up for anything. I have lots of respect for Bernard. He is a true champion. Lots of people love Bernard and still will because he’s a true champion.”

read more

Results: Joe Smith Jr. stops Bernard Hopkins

Results: Joe Smith Jr. stops Bernard Hopkins

Bernard Hopkins, (55-8-2, 32 KOs) saw his career end in a less than glorious way on Saturday night in getting knocked out of the ring in the 8th round in losing a TKO to knockout artist Joe Smith Jr. (23-1, 19 Kos) on HBO Championship Boxing from the Forum in Inglewood, California.

read more

Video: Final farewell for Bernard Hopkins

YouTube video

Living legend Bernard Hopkins was last seen inside the squared circle nearly two years ago, when he dropped a lopsided decision in a unification bout with light heavyweight sensation Sergey Kovalev. On December 17, just one month before his 52nd birthday, the aging ring warrior is scheduled to have his farewell retirement bout against 27 year old Joe Smith Jr. Win, lose, or draw, the bout against Smith is being billed as the final chapter in the long and illustrious career for the future Hall of Famer.

read more

Weights: Hopkins 174, Smith 175 – Photo Gallery

Weights: Hopkins 174, Smith 175 - Photo Gallery

Joe “The Beast” Smith and Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins both tipped the scales at 174 pounds ahead of their clash tomorrow night from The Forum and televised live on HBO starting at 10pm EST. At stake will be Smith’s WBC International Light Heavyweight belt and the contest is scheduled for 12 rounds or less.

Smith, hailing from Mastic Beach, NY brings a record of 22-1 18KO’s into the fight while the former multiple division champion and legend Bernard Hopkins enters with a record of 55-7-2 32KO’s.
Both fighters were presented with a WBC Onyx commemorative belt in honor of Hopkins final fight.

read more

Bernard Hopkins – Joe Smith Jr. this Saturday / Hopkins Q & A

Bernard Hopkins - Joe Smith Jr. this Saturday / Hopkins Q & A

Placing an exclamation point at the end of a decades long career, former two-division world champion and future Hall of Famer Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins (55-7 2, 32 KOs) will be delivering a performance reflective of his extensive career taking on the best as he faces a young lion and current WBC International Light Heavyweight Champion Joe Smith, Jr. (22-1, 18 KOs) this Saturday, Dec. 17 on HBO World Championship Boxing®. Hopkins will be entering the ring for his last hoorah in true Hopkins style by closing out the book with a match up that will demonstrate his evolution as a fighter and his daring persona.

read more

Hopkins Vows To Destroy Smith In Final Fight Live On Boxnation

Hopkins Vows To Destroy Smith In Final Fight Live On Boxnation

Bernard Hopkins is out to prove he is ‘special’ by overcoming knockout king Joe Smith this weekend.

The future Hall-of-Famer is looking to go out in style in his final bout by overcoming the hard-hitting Smith, exclusively live on BoxNation.

51-year-old Hopkins has long proved himself as one of boxing’s greatest ever but he is hungry to show once again why he is no ordinary fighter by dazzling against his light-heavyweight opponent at The Forum in Inglewood, California.

read more

Hopkins vs Smith Live On BoxNation

Hopkins vs Smith Live On BoxNation

Legend Bernard Hopkins wants to end his illustrious career on a high as he enters the ring for the final time on Saturday night.

The 51-year-old who has enjoyed one of the most remarkable journeys in the sport takes his last step against the big-hitting Joe Smith, exclusively live on BoxNation, where he will look to go out with a bang following a glorious four-decade stint at the top.

read more