Tragic Hopkins, 51, still the big story
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 20 Dec 2016
BERNARD Hopkins crashed out of boxing in tragic fashion. The Executioner was slaughtered, knocked out from the ring by a killer barrage in the neutral corner. He landed on his head against the concrete floor.
It was a dismal ending.
A disgrace, a head-on fall into the dustbin of boxing?
Not too fast, please.
**
The big story here does not belong to Joe Smith, the winner and still WBA International light heavyweight champion.
The true big sports story was authored by Hopkins, 51, who suffered the first stoppage in his career.
Rang Smith, young enough to be Hopkins? son, in fitting homage: ?He was a true champion and if he didn?t get injured, he?d be back here. I had to finish him.?
**
Hopkins, a month short of his 52nd birthday, was visibly diminished. Still, the fight could?ve gone either way. Hopkins was fully competitive when the unexpected ending came in the 8th round.
Hopkins, who had fought the toughest, the finest, the baddest, got smashed with a right, ducked but failed to raise his right to cover his head. He got chopped by a thunderous left, followed by a barrage that sent him sailing out of the ring like a wet piece of laundry.
He had 20 seconds to get back into the ring, was up at the count of 13, but chose to stay out claiming a ripping pain in the ankle stalled him.
**
Of course, the hardboiled warrior, one of a kind, did not surrender.
He took defeat humbly, standing erect.
?I went out as a soldier. This is my last fight, I?ve come to that point in my life when it?s final,? he said.
**
He broke the record for middleweight title defenses at 37, became a light heavyweight champion at 46. He continued to be a world class fighter into his 6th decade. His final record: 55-8-2, with 32 KOs.
Hopkins was a statue of heroic dignity in farewell.
?I?m happy with my life and retirement,? he declared.
Tributes poured:
?He?s a man who tried what men shouldn?t and did what others couldn?t,? wrote David P. Greisman of BoxingScene. ?He defied expectations, he defied odds, and all that defined him.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Tapales bags WBC International Silver super bantamweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Boston, NY and Minnesota One Win Away; Push Orlando, Detroit and LAL on Brink
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Sasaki Guns for Japan's First World Welterweight Title, Honor as Asia's Best Asian Boxing Nation
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Raga beats Bañares in SBA Philippine Open, pockets ₱400,000 cash prize
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 28 Apr 2025OK-C You Next Season, Memphis
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Eubank Jr. Edges Benn in Thrilling Grudge Match for the Ages
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Due to Illness, H2O Syve Withdraws from Tonight’s Bout
Sun, 27 Apr 2025Filipino FM Ivan Travis Cu runner-up in Budapest First Saturday Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Home Teams Rule the Day
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 26 Apr 2025Marlon Tapales Makes Weight for WBC International Title Fight in Gensan
Sat, 26 Apr 2025WELTERWEIGHT ERIC TUDOR TAKES UNANIMOUS DECISION OVER KEVIN JOHSON IN MAIN EVENT OF ‘LA FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS’ FROM THUNDER STUDIOS AND LIVE ON DAZN
Sat, 26 Apr 2025Eubank vs Benn: Like Father Like Son
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 26 Apr 2025Eubank Jr. Misses Weight Ahead of Highly Anticipated Benn Clash
Sat, 26 Apr 2025Rafael Espinoza: “I’m Going To Steal The Show On May 4!”
Sat, 26 Apr 2025CO-PROMOTER OF TONIGHT'S ‘LA FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS’ SAYS FIRST EVENT IS ONLY THE BEGINNING
Sat, 26 Apr 2025