THE LAST STAND: BERNARD HOPKINS VOWS THAT THE EXECUTIONER WILL BE ON DISPLAY AGAINST JOE SMITH JR.

[patscorpio]

Joseph Diaz vs. Horacio Garcia as Co-Main on Hopkins-Smith

By Francisco Salazar

Featherweight contender Joseph Diaz, Jr. will face fringe junior featherweight contender Horacio Garcia on Dec. 17 at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., Golden Boy Promotions matchmaker Robert Diaz confirmed to BoxingScene.com on Monday.

Joseph Diaz made the announcement of his return to the ring on his social media accounts on Friday.

"JoJo will fight Garcia in a 10 round bout," said Robert Diaz.

The clash between Diaz and Garcia will be part of a three-bout HBO broadcast. Headlining the broadcast will be the 12 round light heavyweight bout between Bernard Hopkins (55-7-2 1 NC, 32 KOs) and Joe Smith (22-1, 18 KOs).

In his last bout on Sept. 17 in Arlington, Tex., Joseph Diaz (22-0, 13 KOs) broke down Andrew Cancio over eight-plus rounds before stopping him in round nine.

The Dec. 17 bout will be Diaz's fourth of 2016.

The 2012 U.S. Olympian, who is from the Los Angeles suburb of South El Monte and has a solid following in Southern California, is ranked amongst the top 10 in three of boxing's major sanctioning bodies.

"A world title has always been my goal,” said Diaz in a release. “Dec. 17 will be an incredible experience as I continue to pursue my dream of being a featherweight champion. Garcia is an extremely tough guy, but I am hitting my peak right now, and there's nothing that's going to stop me."

"I have had a front-row seat to watch Joseph develop from an Olympian to a world-class professional fighter," said Golden Boy Promotions CEO and Chairman Oscar De La Hoya. "Diaz is getting better each and every day. While ‘JoJo’ will face one of his toughest challenges his in Garcia, I am confident he comes out victorious and earns a world title shot in 2017."

Garcia (30-1-1, 22 KOs) has not fought since May 6 when he fought to a split-decision draw against Erik Ruiz in Las Vegas. Garcia built an early lead in the fight before Ruiz rallied in the second half of the fight.

Garcia’s most notable bout occurred in May of last year against former WBC featherweight titleholder Hozumi Hasegawa. In that bout, Garcia lost a 10 round decision to Hasegawa.

this card is going to be a televised tripleheader? i wonder what the 3rd fight will be?

 

[patscorpio]

this is shaping up to be an interesting tripleheader

Usyk Vows To Make a Statement To HBO Fans With Mchunu

Newly crowned World Boxing Organization Cruiserweight Champion, Oleksandr Usyk, (10-0, 9 KOs) of Kiev, Ukraine will make his highly anticipated United States debut in his first title defense against world ranked contender Thabiso “The Rock” Mchunu, (17-2, 11 KOs) of South Africa on Saturday, December 17 at the “Fabulous” Forum in Inglewood, CA and televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

The Usyk-Mchunu 12-round clash is presented by K2 Promotions in association with Main Events and will open the HBO telecast headlined by the light heavyweight clash between Two-Division World Champion and Future Hall-of-Famer Bernard Hopkins, (55-7-2, 32 KOs) and hard-hitting contender Joe Smith Jr., (21-1 18 KOs) and a 10-round co-main event between Joseph Diaz Jr. and Horacio Garcia who will clash for the NABF Featherweight Title.

“This is a great opportunity, I’m very excited to fight for the first time in the United States and on HBO,” said Usyk. “After winning the world title in September, fighting in America was the next goal and I promise the fans in Los Angeles and those watching on HBO a great performance,” said Usyk, known for his world class performances, heavy hands and his memorable victory dances.

“Against good opposition, I ‘The Rock’ always rise to the occasion, “said Mchunu. “I’m eagerly focused on the throne!”

“Oleksandr is very anxious to fight in the United States, he wants to be known as a true world champion, the same status the Gold Medal provided him as an amateur,” said Alexander Krassyuk of K2 Promotions Ukraine. “We’re very thankful to HBO for this opportunity and see this as just the first step towards Oleksandr becoming a superstar in the United States.”

Said Tom Loeffler, Managing Director of K2 Promotions, “We’re very happy to bring Oleksandr to the United States. He has drawn large crowds to his fights in Ukraine and there is much anticipation for him coming to America and to become the next boxing superstar. His entertaining, all-action style will be a thrill for fight fans at the Fabulous Forum and those watching on HBO. Having seen the Los Angeles fans’ reaction to both Gennady Golovkin and Roman Gonzalez’s fights at The Fabulous Forum with its rich boxing and entertainment history, this venue is a special place for star making performances.”

Stated Kathy Duva of Main Events, “Thabiso jumped at this opportunity the moment the offer was conveyed without hesitation. He is coming to win and it will be a great fight. I would also give all the credit in the world to Usyk for taking on such a tough challenge in his first defense of the title.”

The 29-year-old Usyk capped an extraordinary amateur career winning Olympic Gold at the London Games in 2012. Signing with K2 Promotions, Usyk scored knockouts in his first nine bouts in front of huge crowds in Ukraine and Germany. On September 17, 2016, Usyk won the WBO Cruiserweight World Title from champion Krzysztof Glowacki, brilliantly dominating the action over 12 rounds in Gdansk, Poland. The unanimous decision championship victory in Usyk’s tenth professional bout broke the previous record of twelve fights held by Future Hall-of-Famer Evander Holyfield. Usyk is currently world ranked in the cruiserweight division, #2 by ESPN and USA Today and #3 by Ring Magazine.

The 28-year-old Mchunu is world ranked #9 by the WBC, #13 by the WBO and #14 by the IBF. Although based in South Africa, he has fought and been victorious on three previous occasions in the United States. Making his U.S. debut on August 3, 2013, Mchunu won a 10-round decision over former world title challenger Eddie Chambers. In 2014, the southpaw also won 10-round decisions over Garrett Wilson and Olanrewaju Durodola. Most recently Mchunu knocked out Boniface Kabore in the second round on May 20, 2016 in South Africa.

Hopkins vs. Smith is a 12-round light heavyweight battle presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Star Boxing. Diaz vs. Garcia is a 10-round NABF featherweight title match up presented by Golden Boy Promotions. Usyk vs. Mchunu is a 12-round WBO Cruiserweight World Title battle presented by K2 Promotions in association with Main Events. The event is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, BORN BOLD and Casa Mexico Tequila. The event will be televised live on Saturday December 17, 2016 from Inglewood California's "Fabulous" Forum on HBO's flagship series beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

 

[mr. smoke weed]

50+ years old and still pretty much the only way you're gonna beat him is by having distinct physical advantages over him, and by fighting on the outside.

Remember on Ali weekend when RJJ was talking about "Ali asked if he could get in the ring with me, and before I knew it he took my jab away"

Take care of your temple and drink water warm and you can box forever. Unfortunately I think B-Hop is too far past it now, and is going to get hit with a lot of chopping rights.

 

[mr. smoke weed]

this card is going to be a televised tripleheader? i wonder what the 3rd fight will be?

Damn B-Hop, Usyk, and JoJo Diaz on the same card?

 

[JDee323]

Remember on Ali weekend when RJJ was talking about "Ali asked if he could get in the ring with me, and before I knew it he took my jab away"

Take care of your temple and drink water warm and you can box forever. Unfortunately I think B-Hop is too far past it now, and is going to get hit with a lot of chopping rights.

I hope you're wrong breh. I hope the kkkov loss was just due to kkkov's length and the fact that he fought the right kind of fight.

 

[patscorpio]

I hope you're wrong breh. I hope the kkkov loss was just due to kkkov's length and the fact that he fought the right kind of fight.

father time is undefeated...you can stave it off but no one beats it..bhop is 51 years old and hasn't fought in 2 years..he's not facing a cherry in the ring unfortunately..hes going to need his ring smarts

 

[nairdas]

No not my goat BHop. Sit down somewhere nikka

 

[patscorpio]

 

[julesocean]

The odds still heavily favor B-Hop, you can actually double your money betting on Smith if you feel froggy about this matchup.

 

[desjardins]

So naazim richardson is not training Bernard for this one
On some interview I saw Bernard said Naazim was wearing diapers after he had a stroke
Why even reveal that shyt?
Seem like Bhop on some petty shyt

 

[ℒℴѵℯJay ELECTUA]

The odds still heavily favor B-Hop, you can actually double your money betting on Smith if you feel froggy about this matchup.

i might just do that..

 

[patscorpio]

 

[patscorpio]

Hopkins, Smith Weigh 174; Smith: This ‘Common Man’ Beats His Ass

By Keith Idec

Joe Smith’s message after he and Bernard Hopkins weighed in at 174 pounds apiece Friday was simple.

“I’m just gonna show that I am common,” said Smith (22-1, 18 KOs), who works as a laborer on Long Island when he’s not training for fights. “But I’m gonna put on a great show, and this common man’s gonna beat his ass.”

Philadelphia’s Hopkins (55-7-2, 32 KOs, 2 NC), a former undisputed middleweight and light heavyweight champion, promised the same thing a day before their 12-round light-heavyweight main event at The Forum in Inglewood, California (HBO). Hopkins, 51, also has promised that this farewell fight will be the last of a 28-year pro career that began in October 1988 and eventually will secure his place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

“I’m gonna be able to give a guy, Joe Smith, his final ass whuppin’,” Hopkins said, playing on the promotional moniker for their fight, “The Final One.”

Before Hopkins and Smith weighed in, undefeated featherweight contender Joseph Diaz Jr. (22-0, 13 KOs), of Downey, California, weighed in at the limit of 126 pounds for his 10-round featherweight fight against Mexico’s Horacio Garcia (30-1-1, 22 KOs). Garcia weighed in at 125.8 pounds.

Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk (10-0, 9 KOs) weighed 199.6 pounds for the third fight HBO will televise Saturday night, a 12-round defense of Usyk’s WBO world cruiserweight title. Usyk’s opponent, South Africa’s Thabiso Mchunu (17-2, 11 KOs), weighed 198.6 pounds.

 

[ℒℴѵℯJay ELECTUA]

 

[ℒℴѵℯJay ELECTUA]

this year is looking like the shape of bad feeling and shyt outcomes..

so expect Hopkins to get whooped up..

#