Victor O. Garcia’s Ringside Recap of Hopkins vs. Smith
By: Victor O. Garcia RCM’s Head Video Boxing Reporter- Ringside
Inglewood, Ca (December 18, 2016)— The ending that no professional boxer would ever wish happened to a boxing legend this Saturday night. Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins (55-8-2, 32 KOs) ended his career in a horrible way. At the age of 51 years-old, the former undisputed middleweight champion fought in his farewell fight against the hard-hitting Joe “The Irish Bomber” Smith Jr (23-1, 19 KOs) in a 12 round title match. The Irish Bomber put his WBC international light heavyweight title on the line against one of the best to ever lace them up.
Bernard Hopkins did not ask for no easy match to end his career. A fighter like Joe Smith Jr is not the type to overlook, especially after knocking out Andrzej Fanfara in one round. Bernard wanted a challenge to prove he still had it at the age of 51. That was not the case when Smith trapped Hopkins in a corner and unleashed a combination of hooks on Hopkins and knocked him out of the ring. Joe defeated the legend Bernard Hopkins via TKO in the 8th round, after Hopkins could not continue after landing on his head.
After the fight Bernard was evaluated to see if he suffered any head injuries, but was quickly cleared by a doctor. During the press conference after the fight, Hopkins spoke what went down before and after the knockdown.
“I was throwing the right hand and a combination and then using the rope as an offensive as I’m known for, and making a mess. 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 twenty 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. The reason I said I’m upset they are giving Smith the TKO is because the momentum threw the ropes, 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 solider, fighting the toughest, baddest opponents. I’m not saying I agree, I’m not in denial—Joe was a tough, heavy hitting fighter.”
The young champion —who is in the Labors Union back in his hometown in New York— asked Bernard Hopkins to sign his gloves right after Hopkins addressed the media. Joe then answered question to the media and made some statements.
“It feels great, it’s the best feeling in the world to accomplish something I set out for and wanted to do. 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, 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.”
Co-main event
In the televised co-main event, 2012 Olympic fighter Joseph “Jojo” Diaz (23-0, 13 KOs) won a unanimous decision over Horacio Garcia (30-2-1, 22 KOs) in a great match up. Garcia showed up with a lot of heart and will to defeat the South El Monte native. Unfortunately, Diaz came in with only one thing in mind and that was to win.
Jojo Diaz showed who was the better man. Diaz countered everything Garcia threw at him. Diaz worked the body well and with good power. A victory over Horacio Garcia has shown that his path to a featherweight title bout looks promising in 2017.
“I knew I was facing a tough, experienced opponent, so my plan was to go in there and get him using my jabs, angles and everything I worked on in my training camp,” said Diaz.
“I came in and got what I wanted and I’m very happy with the outcome,”
Garcia acknowledged his loss to Jojo Diaz and said,
“For every power punch I would throw, he would throw two. I agree with the judge’s decision, and we’ll hit the gym to make the adjustments,” said Garcia.
Undefeated WBO cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (11-0, 10 KOs) methodically broke down #12 IBF challenger Thabiso Mchunu (17-3, 11 KOs) in stopping him in the 9th round on Saturday night on HBO from the Forum in Inglewood, California
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