Anyone watch that Hopkins fight last night?

[clutch5150]

So glad he decided to retire. He had no business in that ring at 51 years old. I give him credit though, he can still take a  punch even though he literally got punched outta the ring last night!

[David88]

I saw it. Not the way for anyone to finish their career, particularly someone like Hopkins. He can feel as upset as he likes but in my opinion he wasn't pushed out of the ring and I can't see how his ankle was hurt as he fell on his head. Perhaps he was just trying to hold onto some pride

[cigaraholic]

Knocked out of the ring......one fight too many

[wabashcr]

Everyone is saying Hopkins shouldn't have been fighting at 51 (52 in a month), and that may be true.  But I think ring rust had as much to do with his performance Saturday as age.  It had been more than a year since he'd last fought, which I believe was the longest layoff in his career.  In his previous fight, against Kovalev, he didn't look anywhere near as bad as he did Saturday.  And Kovalev is a much more dangerous fighter than Smith.  A year off can be fatal for a fighter.  I can only imagine that effect is magnified significantly for an older fighter.

I've always had a soft spot for Hopkins, despite the fact he became a dirty, boring fighter later in his career at light heavyweight.  He had a truly remarkable run as the lineal middleweight champ, and he was always entertaining to watch.  The lead up to the Trinidad fight, and then how he dominated and ultimately knocked out Trinidad, was incredible.  The body shot KO against De La Hoya is still one of the most vicious body shots I've ever seen.  Probably did more damage to Oscar's liver than all the drinking and partying ever could have.  Thought he won the first fight with Jermain Taylor, although the loss in the rematch was probably right.  

The move to light heavyweight was interesting at first considering the caliber of opponents he was facing.  He dominated Tarver, Winky Wright, Kelly Pavlik, but then it all started going downhill in the Calzaghe fight.  Most of his fights from that point forward were marred by illegal blows, cheap shots, and just all-around dirty tactics.  You even saw it on Saturday when he came in and head butted Smith right on the eyebrow.  To some people it's crafty or gamesmanship.  I got tired of it pretty quickly.  Even still, the fact that he was competing with the best in the world up through his late 40s is quite an achievement.  Having followed his career for more than 20 years, it's fun to look back and reflect on how great he was.  Boxing won't quite be the same without him.

[brutusthebuckeye]

I watched it..glad he got his old ass knocked out of the ring..

These guys trying to fight in there 50's is a joke..

Like stated above..the dirty tactics later in his career was just ridiculous..

[Mattb82]

Loved how he said he was pushed. I guess in essence he was, he was hit  so hard it pushed him out of the ring. 

[Sean3]

Haven't watched much boxing since the first Lennox Lewis/Evander Holyfield fight...one too many crooked decisions, it was the proverbial straw.  I had no idea Hopkins was still fighting at his age, sounds like Father Time finally caught up with him.

[Dozerhead]

He looked terrible. His punches had no sting and he couldn't keep Smith off him. He kept backing up all night. He certainly wasn't pushed, just got nailed by several good punches consecutively. He's lucky he didn't do any spinal damage landing on his head/neck like that. What an embarrassing way to end a long, distinguished career. It was like watching Roy Jones, Jr. suffering devastating knockouts in some of his recent fights.

 

 

 

 

 

[wabashcr]

7 hours ago, Dozerhead said:

He looked terrible. His punches had no sting and he couldn't keep Smith off him. He kept backing up all night. He certainly wasn't pushed, just got nailed by several good punches consecutively. He's lucky he didn't do any spinal damage landing on his head/neck like that. What an embarrassing way to end a long, distinguished career. It was like watching Roy Jones, Jr. suffering devastating knockouts in some of his recent fights.

 

 

 

 

 

At least Hopkins was headlining a card on a premium cable network, against an opponent who is bordering on being relevant.  Roy is fighting in clubs, and for the most part you can't even find a stream of his fights.  It was downright scary last year when he went over to Russia and got KTFO.  I can't imagine he's making much off of these fights, considering where most of them are taking place.  He has a good job with HBO.  I know he had some tax trouble and worked out some deal with Russians to pay it off.  He's fighting some bare knuckle champion in February for some bogus belt.  I'm not quite old enough to have appreciated Leonard, Hagler, Hearns or Duran in their primes.  But Roy was the best fighter since that era.  I'd take him over Mayweather, Pacquiao, Whitaker, Hopkins, Chavez, or anyone else of this era.  It's incredibly sad to see now.  This must be what it was like to see Willie Mays playing for the Mets.

[clutch5150]

16 hours ago, Sean3 said:

Haven't watched much boxing since the first Lennox Lewis/Evander Holyfield fight...one too many crooked decisions, it was the proverbial straw.  I had no idea Hopkins was still fighting at his age, sounds like Father Time finally caught up with him.

Yea and I think at the time of him getting knocked outta the ring, one of the judges scorecards had him UP by 1 and only DOWN by 1 on the other 2!    Nothing changes at times in the world of boxing!  It really drives the fans away, I get it but I keep coming back. Been involved with boxing most of my life in some way or another.