Bernard Hopkins vs. Joe Smith: Fight Date Announced, Comments and Reaction

Bernard Hopkins will participate in his farewell fight when he takes on Joe Smith in a 12-round light heavyweight showdown. The bout will take place at The Forum in Inglewood, California, on Saturday, December 17, promoter Oscar De La Hoya told ESPN.com's Dan Rafael.

De La Hoya, in his capacity as promoter for Golden Boy, revealed to Rafael that a "deal is agreed to but yet signed." Still, it looks as if only the finishing touches are pending.

It means the 51-year-old Hopkins will step through the ropes one more time, hoping to cap a career that's included world title reigns in both the light heavyweight and middleweight divisions the right way.

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De La Hoya is already talking it up as an appropriate sendoff for one of the fight game's most charismatic combatants, per Rafael: "We want to make this Bernard Hopkins' retirement party. It will be a whole week of festivities and celebration of his great career."

However, the promoter made it clear the fight will be more than just a celebration of a lengthy and distinctive career. He also talked up Smith's ability to make it a sad farewell for Hopkins: "Joe Smith is a big knockout puncher and he is coming off a great win over Fonfara, who had knocked out (Julio Cesar) Chavez Jr. He will bring the fight to Hopkins. He is aggressive. It's a legitimate fight."

At least one member of Smith's camp is confident about the 27-year-old slugger's chances. Smith's co-trainer, Tommy Gallagher, is already predicting an emphatic win, according to Michael Woods of Everlast.com: “The fight is signed. And do I like my guy’s chances? He kills this guy. If he doesn’t kill him…Man, I’m betting everything I have on Joe.”

It's bold talk, especially against a fighter with the experience and defensive nous Hopkins boasts. The latter will also have the extra motivation of wanting to make up for his devastating loss to Sergey Kovalev in November 2014.

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As if sensing the occasion, Hopkins will also "ditch 'The Alien' moniker and return to his alias as 'The Executioner' for the sendoff," per Mike Coppinger of Boxing Junkie.

The occasion fits Hopkins, whose guile and sense of showmanship will likely prove too much, even for Smith's power.