Joe Smith Jr ended the legendary career of Bernard Hopkins when he knocked Hopkins out of the ring in the 8th of their scheduled 12-round light heavyweight bout at the Forum in Inglewood, California.
In round one, Smith wobbled Hopkins with a right to the top of head. In round two, Smith was cut inside his left eyebrow from an accidental headbutt. Hopkins fought his way back into the fight as he occasionally landed his trademark right hand and some nice uppercuts on the inside.
Smith was bombing away with his right hand and startled but never had Hopkins in much trouble. That changed in the 8th round, when Smith rocked Hopkins with a right hand. A follow up combination drilled Hopkins out of the ring. Hopkins fell on the back of his head, and could not beat the 20 count of referee Jack Reiss and Hopkins was stopped for the 1st time in his illustrious 28 year career.
Smith 174 lbs of Long Island, NY is now 23-1 with 19 knockouts. Hopkins, 174 lbs of Philadelphia will wind up his career with a record of 55-8-2.
“It feels great, it’s the best feeling in the world to accomplish something I set out for and wanted to do,” said Joe Smith, Jr. “I had seen him every time I threw the right hand, he was throwing the left. I had seen him fall, and I kept hitting him until I saw him go out, and I landed that left hook until he went out. I knew he had time to go out, but I hit him with four or five clean shots and they were good shots on the button. I knew he was a true champion, and if he didn’t get injured he’d be back here. I came here to do my job, and this is my coming out party too. I had to finish him, it was either my career was going to end and his was going to end, but I needed mine to continue. I’m going to get back in the gym and train hard for my next opponent. I’m up for anything. I have lots of respect for Bernard. He is a true champion. Lots of people love Bernard and still will because he’s a true champion.”
“I was throwing the right hand and a combination and then using the rope as an offensive as I’m known for, and making a mess,” said Bernard Hopkins. “He got frustrated, and I might have gotten glazed with a left hook and next thing I know he was throwing me out of the ring. I injured myself and hit my head first and hurt my ankle. I knew of the twenty seconds, but couldn’t stand up on my feet because my ankle was injured, I said I could walk but I couldn’t box. I had a choice to make, but I guess the referee made it for me. I know if I hadn’t made a mess and gotten knocked out of the ring, I would’ve come back like I’m known for and would’ve had my chin. The reason I said I’m upset they are giving Smith the TKO is because the momentum threw the ropes, I didn’t dive through the ropes. This is my last fight, I promised it would be and you come to that point in life where it is final and I’m happy with my retirement. I know the fans will know I went out as a solider, fighting the toughest, baddest opponents. I’m not saying I agree, I’m not in denial-Joe was a tough, heavy hitting fighter.”
Joseph Diaz, Jr. remained perfect by winning a 10-round unanimous decision over Horacio Garcia in a featherweight contest.
Diaz used superior handspeed and body work to control the action and outland Garcia by a 266-116 mark.
Diaz, 126 lbs of South El Monte, CA won by scores of 100-90 on all cards, and is now 23-0. Garcia, 125.8 lbs of Guadalajara, MX is 30-2-1.
“I knew I was facing a tough, experienced opponent, so my plan was to go in there and get him using my jabs, angles and everything I worked on in my training camp,” said Joseph Diaz, Jr. “I came in and got what I wanted and I’m very happy with the outcome.”
“It was a power versus speed fight,” said Horacio Garcia. “For every power punch I would throw, he would throw two. I agree with the judge’s decision, and we’ll hit the gym to make the adjustments.”
Oleksandr Usyk retained the WBO Cruiserweight title with a 9th round stoppage over Thabiso Mchunu
Usyk started to open up in round five and in round six, dropped Mchunu with a hard combination. Usyk continued to build his lead and then in round nine, he landed a hard straight left that sent Mchunu to the canvas. Mchunu was able to continue, but not for much longer as a left to the top of the head put Mchunu down for a 3rd and final time. Referee Lou Moret stopped the bout at 1:53.
Usyk, 199.6 lbs of Kiev, UKR is now 11-0 with 10 knockouts. Mchunu, 198.6 lbs of Cato Ridge, SA is 17-3.
“I’m very happy with my performance, he was awkward but I’m glad I was able to win by knockout,” said Oleksander Usyk. “Once I was able to find my range and throw combinations my power was too much for him.”
“He got the better of me, and he used it against me,” said Thabiso Mchunu. “All I can say now is that we have to go back to square one.”
Jason Quigley remained undefeated by stopping Jorge Melendez in the 1st round of their scheduled 10-middleweight bout.
Quigley dropped Melendez with a short right in the 1st round. Quigley dropped Melendez a short time later with a five punch combination. Melendez went down for a 3rd time in the round from a right. Melendez was able to continue, but just for a brief time as he landed a big flurry that forced the corner to stop the fight at 2:42.
Quigley, 159.6 lbs of Donegal, IRE is 12-0 with 10 knockouts. Melendez, 158.6 lbs of Manati, PR is 28-8-1.
“Me and Manny Robles were ready to go all ten rounds if necessary,” said Jason Quigley. “He wanted the knock out more than I did – he was coming forward and risking heavy punches to his own detriment. We are 110 percent ready for anything that is coming in the future.”
Ryan Garcia remained undefeated by scoring a 2nd round stoppage over Antonio Martinez in a scheduled 6-round lightweight bout.
Martinez was cut over his left eye in the 1st round from a huge flurry of punches by Garcia. Garcia scored a knockdown at the end of the round from a right hand. In round two, Garcia dropped Martinez with a left hand. Garcia continued the onslaught and landed a bug right hand that forced the referee to stop the bout at 2:00
Garcia, 131.4 lbs of Victorville, CA is 7-0 with 6 knockouts. Martinez, 131.4 lbs of Durango, MX is 6-8.
“I was a little nervous since this was my first timer as a Golden Boy Fighter,” said Ryan Garcia. “I set him up perfectly for me to utilize my straight jab, and found a way to maneuver his awkward style. I’m going to look back at the tape and just keep on improving and taking off my Golden Boy career.”
