At age 51, Bernard “The Alien” aka “The Executioner” aka “B-Hop” Hopkins enters the ring on December 17th for the final time in his professional career against Joe Smith Jr.
With The Forum in Inglewood, CA serving as the backdrop for Monday’s official press conference, the former undisputed champion reflected on his years in the ring by sharing a story of how he almost didn’t box at all because his parole officer told him to stay out trouble and don’t go down to Joe Frazier’s Gym.
“It only one little bit of dream killers or situations or someone talk you out of it. I was told by my parole man to stay out of trouble and don’t go to Joe Fraziers.
I’ll Never forget that. How do you tell a guy that’s 25 years old that?
Hopkins has long been considered a phenom in the sport after spending the majority of his youth and young adult years in the Philadelphia prison system. December 17th will likely be an emotional night for boxing fans, and sports aficionados as a whole as the great one hangs up his gloves for the final time and lets the Hall-of-fame clock start running.
