Bernard Hopkins vs Joe Smith Jr || HIGHLIGHTS

Bernard Hopkins 174 lbs lost to Joe Smith Jr 174 lbs by KO at 0:53 in round 8 of 12
Date: 2016-12-17
Location: Forum, Inglewood, California, USA
Referee: Jack Reiss
Judge: Pat Russell 67-66
Judge: Tim Cheatham 66-67
Judge: Thomas Taylor 64-69
WBC International Light Heavyweight Title (1st defense of Smith Jr.)
An accidental clash of heads between Hopkins and Smith in round two caused a gash to Smith's left eyebrow. Smith's cut man Stitch Duran handled the gash. The gash was not a factor in the bout.
A right-left, right-left combination from Joseph Smith Jr. sent Bernard Hopkins through the ropes backwards to floor. Hopkins stood up fine at the count of 8, and then watched referee Jack Reiss in the ring above him 20 count him out. Hopkins complained he was pushed out of the ring, and said he could walk on his legs but not move well enough to continue. Video replay showed Hopkins was knocked out of ring cleanly by Smith's punches when Bernard was trapped along the ropes and not moving. Video replay revealed Bernard's right shoulder and part of his body were already outside of the ring before Smith's final blow, perhaps providing grounds for an appeal for a No-Contest with the CSAC, or perhaps not. Smith's final blow began its momentum while Bernard was still in the ring.
Smith retained World Boxing Council International Light Heavyweight title by knockout, and moved into WBC rating position for WBC world title shot with Adonis Stevenson in 2017 with this win.