Review by AllTheBestFights.com: 2016-12-17, pretty good fight between Bernard Hopkins and Joe Smith Jr: it gets three stars.The former world champion in two different weight classes Bernard Hopkins (he is 51 years old, 24 years older than Smith) entered this fight with a pro boxing record of 55-7-2 (32 knockouts) but he is not ranked as he hasn’t fought since November 8, 2014 when he was defeated by Sergey Kovalev (=Hopkins vs Kovalev). Before this bout, when he was 49 years old, he had won his last world title against Beibut Shumenov (=Hopkins vs Shumenov).
His opponent, Joe Smith Jr, has a record of 22-1-0 (18 KOs=82%) and he entered as the No.7 light heavyweight in the world (currently the #1 in this division is Andre Ward). He suffered his only loss when he faced Eddie Caminero in 2010, since then he has collected 16 consecutive victories beating Fabiano Pena and Andrzej Fonfara in 2016 (=Fonfara vs Smith). Hopkins vs Smith is valid for the WBC International light heavyweight title. Watch the video and rate this fight!
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Date: 2016-12-17
Where: Forum, Inglewood, California, USA
Division: light heavyweight (175 lbs, 79.4 kg)
Title: WBC International light heavyweight title
Hopkins’ previous fight: Bernard Hopkins vs Sergey Kovalev
Smith’s previous fight: Andrzej Fonfara vs Joe Smith Jr
Smith’s next fight: Joe Smith Jr vs Sullivan Barrera
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Video: (Free embeddable video hosted on Youtube and not uploaded by AllTheBestFights, to report it please visit this link where the video is hosted)
Official highlights
Normally I have some respect for these two commentators, but on this occasion it is zilch. They had their heads so far up Hopkins’ arse that they should have been doing the talking for him. They had Hopkins ahead at the beginning of the eighth, which beggars belief. I had trouble scoring any rounds for Hopkins. If I were charitable I could have possible given him two rounds. The low blows, the use of the head were more than accidental. Smith may not be a world beater, but he showed application.
Three or four great punches ( in bunches) end a great fighters career.
Not the way he would want to be remembered. Couldnt see how his ankle or ankles were damaged as both were up in the air when he landed on his back. The commentators were also favouring Hopkins as winning the fight up to this stage which I could not agree with. Very entertaining, Hopkins should have permanently retired at least three fights ago.
If somebody speaks well about what Bernard did in the ring last night it is just because busyness and because they were totally out of mind. It was a real shame and I hope this event keep this guy out of the ring for good. I will say since 2005 all his fights were a totally shame and favored to go on because the kind of busyness they unfortunately imply
It is about time someone retires old man Hopkins, I hope he stays put and just retired forever. Hit and Hold Hopkins is not good for boxing, just like Floyd when he personally killed the Pacquiao fight and killed boxing along with it. These two did not give anything to boxing other than get in the ring, fight as little as possible to win the round and then collect their money. Then s*cker people again into making how good their next opponent is, and how the fight is going to be good, then stink up the place and bore the fans again with the same recipe. GOOD RIDDANCE TO MAYWEATHER AND HOPKINS.
Until when this old boxer thinks he can milk the cow. For Bernard it is really about time to go for retirement and don’t come back anymore to avoid the shame that happened to him last night. After his fall from the ring I’m still surprised that he was able to stand up and walk again. He was a boxer with just a reasonable career and record but two decades ago who was able to sell and advertising him very well but quite far away to be the spectacular boxer he thinks he is. Unfortunately, a lot of people bought it but this isn’t my case.
At his age it is better now to enjoy retirement because he is in decaying mode and really, before that somebody next time break some of his most likely weak bones. Hopefully, from now on Bernard you stay home and just enjoy the gym.
Just in his favor I recognize that Bernard connected some few good punches but Smith still beat him up during the whole fight so the fall from the ring wasn’t totally relevant for the final result of this fight.
It is so FITTING that Hit and Hold Hopkins got knocked out of the ring, and out of boxing for good.
LOL he said he twisted his leg or w.e. wow!?? if u watch him fall out he fell flat on his back with his feet up in the air….how did his leg get hurt???
Hopkins did not leave boxing, “his way.” lol His entrance solidified that this fight will be remembered for a while. he he
HE HE HE HE HE . . . . HA HA HA HA. . .A JUST ENDING FOR A GUY WHO KEPT ON STEALING ROUNDS WHILE BORING THE FANS!!
the racist finally got shut up. i guess that white boy could knock him out