LI’s Joe Smith Jr. victorious over Boxing Legend Bernard Hopkins in Retirement Fight

Photo Credit: USA Today Sports

What a way for not just a fight, but an entire career, to come to an end.

Hand-picked opponent Joe Smith Jr. handed boxing legend Bernard Hopkins his first KO loss in his retirement bout Saturday night at the Forum in Inglewood, California. The card aired live on HBO.

Photo Credit: USA Today Sports

Smith (23-1, 19KOs) landed a series of punches while Hopkins (55-8-2, 32 KOs) was against the ropes, sending him out of the ring and onto the arena floor resulting in an 8th round stoppage. Referee Jack Reiss began the standard 20-count, which a fighter receives once should be end up out of the ring, but due to an ankle injury Hopkins was able to make it back into the ring in time.

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At nearly 52 years old, the dramatic ending to Saturday nights bout marks the end of Hopkins’ nearly 30 year professional career.