Bernard Hopkins loses by knockout in bizarre farewell bout

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Joe Smith Jr spoiled the farewell party for Bernard Hopkins, knocking the 51-year-old living legend out of the ring – and perhaps out of boxing for good – at the beginning of round 8, sending Hopkins to his first ever knockout defeat.

Hopkins (55-8-2, 32 knockouts) was hit with a combination of punches which sent him backwards out of the ring at The Forum in Inglewood, California. Hopkins failed to reenter the ring before a 20-count, claiming an ankle injury, resulting in a knockout loss for the first time since he turned pro back in 1988. The time was 53 seconds of the round.

Afterwards Hopkins claimed he was pushed out of the ring, though multiple replay angles showed he was sent out by legal blows.

“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,” Hopkins said afterwards.

Smith dismissed Hopkins’ claim he had been pushed.

“I had seen him fall, and I kept hitting him until I saw him go out, and I landed that left hook to finish the job,” Smith said. “I hit him with 4 or 5 clean shots and they were good shots on the button.”

Despite the lackluster ending, Hopkins assured he was content with walking away for good now.

“I promised I wouldn’t,” Hopkins said of one more fight. “You come to that point in life where it is final and I’m happy with my life in retirement.

“I belive that the crowd and the fans know for a fact I went out as a soldier, fighting the toughest, baddest opponents.”

Two judges had Smith ahead at the time of stoppage, 67-66 and 69-64, while a third had Hopkins up one point at 67-66.

Hopkins, who is 24 years older than the Long Island construction worker Smith (23-1, 19 KOs), was a former middleweight and light heavyweight champion, and had not fought since being battered by Sergey Kovalev two years ago.

Among Hopkins’ most celebrated victories were wins over Felix Trinidad, Oscar De La Hoya, Antonio Tarver, Kelly Pavlik and Winky Wright.  

Hopkins had said before the fight that this would be his final bout. – Rappler.com with reports from AFP