LOS ANGELES (AP) Bernard Hopkins plans to end his three-decade boxing career on Dec. 17 with a light heavyweight bout against Joe Smith Jr.
The 51-year-old Hopkins announced his plan Monday for a final fight at the Forum in Inglewood, California.
Hopkins (55-7-2, 32 KOs) hasn't fought since November 2014, when Sergey Kovalev took his two light heavyweight title belts with a one-sided decision.
Hopkins is a defense-minded fighter who has extended his career far past even his own expectations. The Philadelphia native famously made a record 20 defenses of his middleweight titles over a 10-year stretch before moving up in weight and winning more titles deep into his 40s.
Smith (21-1, 18 KOs) is a little-known light heavyweight contender coming off an impressive first-round stoppage victory over Andrzej Fonfara.
