“Fighters don’t retire from the ring. The ring retires fighters.”
~ Bernard Hopkins
When Bernard Hopkins made that statement in 2003 he was 38 years old.
For professional athletes, 38 is considered advanced for competition but for boxing it’s nearly ancient. Despite being a latecomer to the sport, beginning his professional career at 23, the man who would be called ‘The Executioner’ reigned supreme as the undisputed middleweight champion of the world defending his title 19 times over the course of 2 years. Not to mention becoming champion again in 2010 as a light heavyweight.
Fast forward to 2016.
Last Saturday Father Time arrived in grand style to usher him into retirement. Watching the ejection through the ropes from ringside, by way of a Joe Smith Jr.’s two-piece (which Hopkins called a frustration driven shove in the post-fight interview) was as heartbreaking as it was awe-inspiring. An explosive ending to fit a boxing anomaly who managed to stay vertical despite Sergey Kovalev’s best power punching efforts 2 years prior.
Hopkins, as he’s said many times in the latter part of his career, is not the norm. An alien who defied odds by starting his career later than most but remained focused and committed to last until 51. Instead of asking why he waited so long to go Hopkins should be applauded setting the timer and sticking to the plan. Not taking the opportunity to use the off-script ending as an opportunity to wear out his welcome, like some, and continue to compete in the pugilistic twilight years.
Why aren’t these fighters Hopkins-esque in their knowing when to retire? The KO loss was just icing on the proverbial cake. Detractors will say Hopkins had long expired but in all fairness, he continued to win whether it was pretty or gritty to watch.
Remaining competitive until the end, Hopkins reiterated his retirement decision no matter the outcome of the Smith fight and I believe him but I don’t believe others when they say it.
Only in boxing do athletes continue to compete until they are forced out. Kobe Bryant scores 61 points and he’s done. Peyton Manning picks up a super bowl win and glides into the sunset. Boxers get knocked out, taken out on a stretcher and announce their next fight within 6-8 months. Ignoring clear signs of distress caused by years of head punches, cross training and roadwork and instead letting their egos talk them into forging ahead in the hopes of a few more minutes of daylight.
It’s painful to see these warriors continue past the expiration date (like Roy Jones Jr.), fighting under dangerous conditions (like James Toney), in shameless pursuit of one more big opportunity (like Shannon Briggs). But a fighter and his relationship with the ring aren’t much different than one’s relationship with a higher power. The revelation will only come when you are ready to receive it.
The Executioner donned his hood for the final time Saturday night and a number of his peers have not. As one of boxing’s longest running advocates for reform, maybe his next calling is to educate them on how to listen to the ring as a whole and not just the canvas.