Joe Smith Jr: I’m looking forward to retiring Hopkins

Six months ago, nobody knew who Joe Smith Jr was, and he was dismissed and even laughed off when signed up as an opponent to face Andrzej Fonfara in a PBC on NBC main event.

Four months ago, he knocked Fonfara out in the first round, marching into the Polish star’s backyard in Chicago and finishing things in two minutes and 32 seconds.

Today, it’s official: he’ll face 51-year-old living legend Bernard Hopkins, in what is to be Hopkins’ final fight. The two will meet on December 17 on HBO, from The Forum in Inglewood, California.

“I’m very excited about fighting on HBO,” Smith said in a press release. “I know now all my hard work and dedication has paid off. I am looking forward to retiring a boxing legend.”

His promoter, Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing, is just as happy about the bout.

“I’m thrilled that we have put together this exciting fight,” said DeGuardia. “What a great opportunity for Joe Smith Jr to follow up on his sensational victory on national TV with a fight against a legend like Bernard Hopkins on HBO.”

Smith (22-1, 18 KO) is 24 years Hopkins’ junior at 27, and even though Hopkins is 51 and won’t have fought in 25 months once he steps into the ring in December, it’s a chance to send a true legend out with a loss, something that would seriously boost Smith’s profile even further.

But Hopkins won’t make it easy for him, and he also has a big chance here, to go out once again beating a younger contender.