Bernard Hopkins: record, next fight and profile →
In a fight that Hopkins vowed would be his last, the 27-year-old Smith – who wasn't born when Hopkins launched his career in 1988 – ended proceedings with a series of blows that included one of his punishing right hands.
Entering the ring to a personalized version of the Old Blue Eyes standard “My Way,” the great Bernard Hopkins exited it at the end of a powerful combination of punches from a much younger man in Joe Smith Jr..
Hopkins vs. Smith Photo Gallery - The official ruling was that Hopkins sustained an injury when he flew out of the ring, from legal punches, and he was unable to continue. Hopkins complained that Smith pushed him out of the ring, but several replays showed that Smith never pushed him. This was the first knockout loss of Hopkins' career.
LOS ANGELES - Joe Smith, Jr. (23-1, 19 KOs) retained his WBC International Light Heavyweight Title with a technical knockout victory after sending Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins (55-8-2, 32 KOs) through the ropes in the eighth round.
Bernard Hopkins talks to press at post presser video - Joe Smith Jr. stopped Bernard Hopkins 53 seconds into the eighth round of their WBC international light heavyweight title fight Saturday night. Smith used a six-punch combination to send Hopkins through the ropes and on to the floor, effectively ending the 51-year-old's 28-year boxing career.
Joe Smith Jr. Video Interview - Joe Smith Jr. stopped Bernard Hopkins 53 seconds into the eighth round of their WBC international light heavyweight title fight Saturday night.
Bernard Hopkins Interview Video - Joe Smith Jr. stopped Bernard Hopkins 53 seconds into the eighth round of their WBC international light heavyweight title fight Saturday night. Smith used a six-punch combination to send Hopkins through the ropes and on to the floor, effectively ending the 51-year-old's 28-year boxing career.
Former world champion Bernard Hopkins' long and illustrious career ended in a brutal defeat when the 51-year-old light heavyweight was knocked out of the ring in the eighth round of his final fight in Los Angeles on Saturday.
By Francisco Salazar - The Forum, Inglewood, California - 27-year-old Joe Smith Jr. (23-1, 19KOs) knocked out former two division world champion Bernard Hopkins (55-8-2-1, 32KOs), almost 52-years-old and coming off a two-year layoff, in the eight round of action. This was the final fight of Hopkins' career.
Bernard Hopkins vs. Joe Smith Scorecard Live - Former two-division world champion and Future Hall of Famer Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins (55-7 2, 32 KOs) and Joe Smith, Jr. (22-1, 18 KOs) will battle for the WBC International Light Heavyweight Championship on Saturday, December 17 televised live from Inglewood, Calif.'s "Fabulous" Forum on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.