Joe Smith Jr.

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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Naazim Richardson will not be working with Bernard Hopkins in his “final” fight – but will it matter?

Naazim Richardson will not be working with Bernard Hopkins in his “final” fight – but will it matter?

As fight fans know, the great Bernard Hopkins is fast approaching what he calls his final fight, against young and dangerous puncher Joe Smith Junior, who the amazing 51-year-old (52 in January) will fight on December 17th. Who knows if B-Hop, AKA The Alien, AKA The Executioner will really hang ’em up after the Smith fight, win or lose. But we do know that the Philly legend will not have his usual head trainer, of the past 11 years, in his corner for what is being billed as his swansong.

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Hopkins-Smith & Shabranskyy-Barrera quotes

Hopkins-Smith & Shabranskyy-Barrera quotes

Former Two-Division World Champion and Future Hall of Famer Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins(55-7-2, 32 KOs) and Light Heavyweight Contender Joe Smith Jr. (22-1, 18 KOs) today hosted a Los Angeles press conference to discuss their 12-round battle set for December 17 at the Forum in Inglewood, Calif. and to be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®. Also, in attendance for this press conference was Los Angeles-based undefeated Vyacheslav “Lionheart Chingonskyy” Shabranskyy (17-0, 14 KOs) as he takes on Cuban standout Sullivan Barrera (17-1, 12 KOs) for a 10-round bout for Shabranskyy’s WBC USNBC Light Heavyweight title on HBO Latino® Boxing on Friday, December 16 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. Also rounding out the HBO Latino® Boxing card, was Former WBC Silver featherweight titlist Ronny Rios (26-1, 11 KOs) against Roy “Pitbull” Tapia (12-1-2, 6 KOs).

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