Wednesday 14 December 2016 09:02, UK
Bernard Hopkins says he will have no regrets when he finally bows out of boxing after his fight with Joe Smith Jr on Saturday night.
The history-making two-weight world champion will be making his 66th professional appearance against a fighter who was not even born when 'The Executioner' made his debut.
Hopkins (55-7-2-KO32) made history when he won the IBF and WBA 'Super' titles at the age of 49 back in 2014 and has not boxed since losing to Sergey Kovalev 25 months ago.
We as humans put limitations on ourselves. When all is said and done, I don't want to regret what I didn't do
But the 51-year-old is headlining at The Forum, Inglewood, California, wants to go out in style and is satisfied at his stellar career.
He said: "I want the book to be written good. The last thing you remember about a good book is not the beginning, it's the ending. I look at this as the final icing on the cake or that exclamation point. This is it. You know this is history.
"I achieved my first goal of success in the first part of my life. That was rougher than boxing. If you know anything about Bernard Hopkins' history, if you go into details about the inner city Philadelphia guy, who was in the penitentiary from age 17 to 25, and survived, you'd realize I became champion a long time ago."
"We as humans put limitations on ourselves. When all is said and done, I don't want to regret what I didn't do."
Smith Jr (22-1-KO18) admits he is delighted to be part of Hopkins' farewell party but made it clear his aim is to make the future Hall of Famer go out with a loss - 28 years since he lost his opening bout.
Smith Jr said: "It's a privilege to be on this card. To take on a legend like Bernard is an opportunity I would have never expected.
"That said, come fight night, that won't matter because it'll just be me and him in the ring.
"My team and I have been training to take on any of the styles Bernard may bring. I'm excited for the night to come, and I'm ready to put on a great show."
