Hopkins Shoulder Outside of Ring Before Final Joe Smith Punch, Should Appeal Outcome
Editorial By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
A comprehensive reanalysis of the final moments in the ring and out of the eighth round of the World Boxing Council International light heavyweight title bout between Joseph Smith Jr. and Bernard Hopkins has revealed Bernard’s right shoulder and part of his body was clearly out of the ring before the final blow.
The bout outcome, which occurred on Saturday evening, December 17, 2016, in the main event at The Forum, in Inglewood, California, should be appealed for a no-contest with the California State Athletic Commission. It is not known if the Hopkins corner appealed the outcome, how rapidly they must file an appeal and state the reasoning, and if they did, whether they noticed or cited this particular point in their official appeal.
While Joseph Smith Jr.’s final punch in the four punch flurry began its momentum while Bernard was in the ring (so it cannot be a disqualification), Smith’s final left hand lead clearly landed on the backward falling Hopkins while Hopkins’ right shoulder and part of his body were clearly outside of the ring. At that point, referee Jack Reiss should have stopped the action and begun a standing eight count as part of Hopkins body was already outside of the ring and the ropes were holding him up. Or, if it is ruled the ropes did not hold Bernard up, whether intentionally or unintentionally Smith cannot hit him once Hopkins is technically already outside the ring in all or part.
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