Philadelphia light heavyweight Jesse “Hollywood” Hart has turned Saturday’s ESPN-televised fight in Atlantic City against Long Island’s Joe Smith Jr. into a “personal” vendetta because Smith knocked Hart’s mentor Bernard Hopkins out of the ring and into retirement back in 2016.
For Smith, however, only business lies ahead. “If that’s what he feels he’s fighting for, good for him. I mean, but me, I’m fighting to become a world champion…I want people to talk about me the way Jesse Hart talks about Bernard Hopkins!
“It looks like I am going to have to let Philly down one more time.”
Smith seemed to have trouble getting to the couple of very skilled guys that he’s been in with. (forget Hopkins, he might as well have been 76yrs old) could be a tough night against the taller Hart
One thing I will point out that is very valid. Smith got KO of the year I (in my opinion) when he busted Bernard Hopkins out of the ring. That KO left such an impression on me, that every time I hear Hopkin’s name, I think of that KO first associated with his name instead of his accolades in boxing. After listening to Hopkins trash talk for years, it was a hoot to see him get busted in his last fight of his career. What a way to go out; on your back. Sorry for being so brash, but Hopkins got very annoying in the last few years of his career.
Thats the way you choose to remember him. I remember a fine, long time avoided, and respected champion, and one of Boxing’s best ambassador, that gave so much to the sport. He went out the same way that the Boxing fans claim they want the champ to go out; Out on his back/shield. Damned if you do…
Make no mistake, Hopkins had a good career and was an exceptional fighter. However, that was one heck of a knockout.
No problem here.
Smith tough. Hart Not so good
Off here. No problem
Smith tough. Hart not so good
I really hope Smith knocks out Hart. This guy simply can’t stop talking shit he did it twice with Ramirez and it didn’t work. Now he’s claiming he’s getting even for Hopkins? GTFOH, Bernard is the type of scum cheapskate who wouldn’t give a starving homeless man leftovers to a meal that’s who he is I’m glad Smith put an end to that ingrate punk. It’s not going to be easy but I hope he can find a way to shut this clowns mouth too.
Smith has a glass jaw and it’s been broken a least twice.
Now it’s titanium…
Trash talk is always a part of sports, especially boxing. If you watch fights to root against trash talkers and root for nice quiet guys then you’re unrealistic… and immature.
Trash talking is found in nearly all full contact sports and is par for the course. However, if someone roots for the trash talkers or the quiet guys it really does not matter. Why? Simply watching the matches are a show of support and the livelihood to the longevity of the sport. Everyone has a choice to root for whoever. Makes it all fun, right? Immaturity can be rated on so many levels. I think all of us have some level of immaturity that flows thru our veins. I know I do… Life would be boring if I did not have some degree of immaturity with goofy creativity.
Joe Smith definitely has the power and chin to do it, but needs to be careful. This could be an incredibly entertaining fight but I somehow see Hart trying to out box Joe rather to engage in a Mano a Mano fight.