Watch: @beastsmithjr knocks @THEREALBHOP out of the ring 53 seconds into round 8, ending the fight. #Final1 https://t.co/Pj2svLUlC9
— HBOboxing (@HBOboxing) December 18, 2016
This wasn’t the ending we expected. . . .
The career of Bernard Hopkins has come to an end. The legendary fighter and former long-time middleweight champion will best be remembered by his 20-title suscessful defense record over the years, but the ending to a great career wasn’t something many of us were expecting.
Saturday night, at The Forum in Inglewood, Hopkins challenged Joe Smith Jr. for the WBC International Light Heavyweight title, with hopes of completed a 25-year professional career.
However, those dreams were cut short in the 8th round, when he was knocked out of the ropes onto the floor, after a flurry of hits from Smith Jr. – leading to one of the worst knockouts we’ve ever seen.
After his fall, it took 20 seconds for Bernard to regain consciousness, which many of his long-time fans were hurt from the conclusion to one of their favorite’s career.
Watch:@THEREALBHOP's Post-Fight Interview. #Final1 #HopkinsSmith https://t.co/eaL7ReTlJl
— HBOboxing (@HBOboxing) December 18, 2016