The final fight of legendary boxer Bernard Hopkins ended in the eighth round with Joe Smith Jr. punching the 28 year-veteran of the sport out of the ring and on to the floor of The Forum in Inglewood, California.
Over 6,500 filled the venue to see Hopkins’ 67th match.
Smith’s career-making victory over the undisputed middleweight champion was an inglorious end to the end of a career that began the year before he was born.
Hopkins made division records with his 20 title defenses. He was a three-time heavyweight titleholder and set records for being the oldest fighter to win a world title at age 46 and again at 48.
Spectators were shocked when Hopkins fell between the ropes and landed on his head. The fighter was unable to continue after sustaining an ankle injury. He was unable to return to the ring after Referee Jack Reiss called a 20-count. Reiss ended the fight 53 seconds after Hopkins was ejected from the ring.
Hopkins previously lost his two light heavyweight word titles to Sergey Kovalev by decision on November 8, 2014, his previous fight.
The fighter’s career will be remembered for his the stats (55-8-2, 2 no contests, 32 TKOs) that got him into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Still, fans will not soon forget the six-punch combination that caught Hopkins against the ropes and the left hand that caused Hopkins to fall between the ropes and onto the floor.
“I was throwing the right hand and a combination and then using the rope as I’m known for, and making a mess,” Hopkins told ESPN. “He got frustrated, and I might have gotten glazed with a left hook and next thing I know he was throwing me out of the ring.
“I injured myself and hit my head first and hurt my ankle. I knew of the 20 seconds, but couldn’t stand up on my feet because my ankle was injured. I said I could walk but I couldn’t box. I had a choice to make, but I guess the referee made it for me. I know if I hadn’t made a mess and gotten knocked out of the ring, I would’ve come back like I’m known for and would’ve had my chin.”
Even after Reiss’ 20-count, spectators were unsure whether or not the fight would continue.
“The fighter got hit with a legal punch and went out of the ring and injured himself on the way out,” Reiss said. “He wasn’t going to continue. I counted to 20, and he couldn’t continue, so the fight is over.”
When the fight ended, Smith was up 69-64 and 67-66 on two scorecards. Hopkins was ahead 67-66 on the third card. ESPN.com put Smith in front at 67-66.
“This was the round I was going to make something happen,” Hopkins said of the eighth round.
Hopkins said before the fight that regardless of the conclusion, it would be his last.
“The reason I said I’m upset they are giving Smith the TKO is because the momentum threw me through the ropes,” Hopkins said. “I didn’t dive through the ropes. This is my last fight, I promised it would be and you come to that point in life where it is final and I’m happy with my retirement. I know the fans will know I went out as a soldier, fighting the toughest, baddest opponents. I’m not saying I agree, I’m not in denial. Joe was a tough, heavy-hitting fighter.”
Smith started strong, out-landing his opponent 14-4 in the first round. Hopkins had a slow start to the match after a long recess from the sport.
The veteran fighter is cunning and seasoned, but perhaps lacked the stamina of his younger years. He managed to land some solid hits, including a head butt that split Smith’s left eyebrow.
Hopkins earned $800,000 that night over Smith’s $140,000.
Smith was aggressive with his punches, but still got tied up when Hopkins threw a right hand and lunged. Smith fired back in the eighth round, catching Hopkins against the ropes and ending the fight with the fatal combination.
Smith (23-1, 19 KOs) is a 27-year-old union laborer from Mastic, New York. His match against Hopkins is the biggest win of his career and his second upset in a row. Smith was picked for the fight after his first-round knockout of Andrzej Fonfara in June, his first upset.
“It feels great, it’s the best feeling in the world to accomplish something I set out for and wanted to do,” Smith said. “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 [of the ring], and I landed that left hook until he went out.
“I hit him with four or five clean shots, and they were good shots on the button. I came here to do my job. 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.”
Despite his disappointment with his final career match, Hopkins is looking forward to spending time with his family and promoting his role as partner of Golden Boy Promotions.
Looking back on his storied career, he can recall significant upsets against Felix Trinidad, Antonio Tarver, Kelly Pavlik, and Jean Pascal. He knocked out Oscar De La Hoya and, in the four-belt era, he was the first fighter of any division to hold all titles simultaneously.
“Things unfortunately happen,” Hopkins said. “I don’t want the fight to end the way it did. I’d rather get beat or a win where it’s clear to everybody. But I’ll say it one last time. I’m really serious about this: Win, lose or draw — trust me, if it had been the other way around — win, lose or draw, or controversy, that’s it.”
“I have no regrets.”
