By Dave Sholler

ATLANTIC CITY - Bernard Hopkins was finished. After two consecutive losses in 2005 to Jermain Taylor, the former undisputed middleweight champion was supposed to have nothing left in the tank. Critics said the man known as The Executioner had little chance to pull out a victory against IBO Light Heavyweight Champion Antonio Tarver June 10 in Atlantic City. They said Bernard was too old, while Tarver was too heavy, too big, and too strong to overcome.

It was almost comical to look at those same critics sit ringside as the fight progressed on June 10, looking as defeated as Tarver did, having witnessed the 41-year old Hopkins string together 12 of the best rounds of his career and pummel "The Magic Man" to retire a champion. Just as Tarver's eyes were swollen from the beating he took at the hands of Hopkins, the critics seemed to be suffering similar optical ailments from squinting in disbelief of the Executioner's onslaught.

In what he called his last fight before retirement, Hopkins still appeared to have a full tank. Conversely, it was Tarver who actually looked old, a man who seemed to have lost his "magic" at the age of 37.

"They (the critics) got surprised," Hopkins said. "I could have fought in three different weight classes four or five years ago."

It was another fight and another win for Hopkins, who finished his career 47-4-1 with one no contest. In the same city where he suffered his first professional defeat in 1988, he had sealed a Hall-of-Fame caliber career with a stunning victory nearly 20 years later. For once, the critics in the boxing world fell silent: no excuses, no calls for fraud, and no reasons to criticize Hopkins.

"I've learned (in my career) how to be humble," Hopkins said at a press conference following the Tarver fight, referring to the criticism he has received. "I'm done. There's nothing else to do.

"How many fighters get a chance to go out a champion?"

To watch Hopkins admit that his career was over was like watching a re-run of your favorite childhood television show. As Hopkins stood on the podium surrounded by friends and family, you recalled all the great times, like when he knocked out heavily-favored Felix Trinidad in 2001 to become the unanimous middleweight champion.

But despite all of the fond memories, in lieu of all of the drama, you were sincerely ready to close the book on Hopkins as a boxer, just as you were ready to say goodbye to Screech on Saved by the Bell. You were, like Hopkins, ready to move on.

For a boxer that has given so much to the sport, you didn't want Hopkins to continue fighting in search of things he's already attained. In essence, you didn't want Hopkins to ruin his legacy by fighting for the sake of fighting, like when television executives decided to launch the ill-fated Saved by the Bell: The College Years. When it was all said and done, you didn't need a sequel, because the original was nearly insurmountable.

Hopkins trainer Brother Naazim Richardson said it best after the Tarver fight. He said Hopkins was one of the rare fighters who showed kids "how to get your money, get your belts, and how to get your butt out in one piece."

Tarver seemingly acknowledged Hopkins legend status as well. As he stood at the podium worn and defeated, Tarver did something that many professional fighters rarely do; he admitted that he had been beaten by a better boxer.

"Well sometimes you wake up and its not your day," Tarver said. "I take my hat off to Bernard. He is a tough fighter."

The criticism of one of the sport's rarities will not end now that he has retired. While every Hopkins detractor will say that he will come out of retirement for a big money fight, here's to hoping he doesn't. Here's to hoping that he begins a long, successful career as Golden Boy Promotions East President. Here's to hoping that the only gloves he ever puts on again are mittens to keep his hands warm in the winter. All in all, here's to wishing that Hopkins demonstrates the same class out of the ring as he has for his 18-year career in it.

As he closed his final press conference, Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins glared into the crowd and thanked everyone. He acknowledged members of the boxing media and general public for their support, whether they were critics or boxing purists. His last words were much more like that of someone receiving a lifetime achievement award than a light heavyweight title.

It was a fitting ending because one thing was for sure: Bernard Hopkins was finished.