I can not wait for Kovalev-Hopkins

[hulkmaniac]

I can't contain myself, the anticipation is killing me. SO close, yet so far away.

[Like a Boss]

Should be a very interesting fight. The biggest question no doubt being can BHop keep defying his age.

[keirw]

It is an intriguing fight to say the least, but I am really worried for B Hop, I have a feeling the Crusher will give him a savage beating and put an end to B Hop's illustrious career.
It will be sad to see a hall of fame great go out like that.
But at the same time, B Hop has surprised us all before

[Like a Boss]

It is an intriguing fight to say the least, but I am really worried for B Hop, I have a feeling the Crusher will give him a savage beating and put an end to B Hop's illustrious career.
It will be sad to see a hall of fame great go out like that.
But at the same time, B Hop has surprised us all before

Logical. But BHop continues to defy logic.

Well he has until now anyway.

[ikorolev]

I am still expecting Hopkins to get injured before the fight and pull off. He is smart enough to not get in the ring with Kovalev.

[diddy]

By far the most intriguing fight of the year. A must watch.

[Badhusker]

I'm not too worried for B-Hop. He knows exactly what he is getting into, and without a doubt sees something in Kovalev's style he will exploit. Remember B-Hop is hard to land clean on, and lands plenty of good shots himself. Kovalev has pretty much had guys stand right in front of him and of course has big enough punch to KO most of them. I think the fight will be closer than many think.

[diddy]

I'm not too worried for B-Hop. He knows exactly what he is getting into, and without a doubt sees something in Kovalev's style he will exploit. Remember B-Hop is hard to land clean on, and lands plenty of good shots himself. Kovalev has pretty much had guys stand right in front of him and of course has big enough punch to KO most of them. I think the fight will be closer than many think.

Sillahk is no Hopkins but had shown to be a pretty slick boxer and a good mover before Kovalev got a hold of him in the second round. I was very impressed with Kovalev's ability to cut Sillahk off very early in that fight. He won't hit Bernard with the same types of shots but he cuts off the ring exceptionally well. Did the same in short order vs Campillo. Something no one else ever did to him.

[diddy]

Kovalev needs to approach this fight as if he's boxing against a punching bag with legs. If he doesn't concern himself at all with any punch Hopkins may throw, he will win. And let's be real. Hopkins has very little punching power at this stage and his work rate is quite low. If he is mysteriously locked up by Hopkins' movements and feints like so many other guys - he could lose a decision. This fight lies in the hands of Kovalev. He will control what happens. If he fights Hopkins like he doesn't respect him - he will win. If he gives him too much respect - he will lose. It's up to him.

[crusader]

I agree with diddy that it's crucial for Kovalev to be aggressive. As someone who wants him to win I'll be worried if he comes out and starts feinting and exchanging single shots with Hopkins rather than attacking with a fairly high workate. I believe that pre-bout factors such as being intimidated by Hopkins' reputation as a masterful boxer play a role in explaining why many opponents fight tentatively against him, so I believe that it's important for Kovalev to enter the ring quite confident. I've seen interviews with John David Jackson in which the latter says that Kovalev must be aggressive, treat Hopkins like an old man, and rough him up, and in my view that's the most likely path to victory.

Incidentally, I thought Karo Murat, someone pounded by the oft-criticized Nathan Cleverly, fought his fight against Hopkins and despite losing by harshly wide scores I believe that he deserved to win four rounds. He didn't seem to show Hopkins the respect that most opponents do, and I think that helped him during the bout. Shumenov is of a similar caliber to Murat in my opinion, yet Hopkins seemed to get in his head and I believe that he was therefore significantly less successful than Murat despite the generous cards.

[Bard of Boxrec]

I am still expecting Hopkins to get injured before the fight and pull off. He is smart enough to not get in the ring with Kovalev.

I agree with this. I can't wait for the fight but even at this stage I just don't expect it to happen. If it does, Kovalev is going to Krush Hopkins. He won't be tentative, he'll just do what he do. He'll hit arms, shoulders, everything, but all of it will weaken Hopkins until Bernard starts taking shots to the chin, at which point it will be over.

[BAD INTENTIONS]

First of all, Hopkins doesn't avoid anyone. So cut all the "Hopkins sees something" talk. Kovalev was the best fight financially so Hopkins took it. That's what he's always done.

Secondly, what if Hopkins makes Kovalev look like Kelly Pavlik, a fighter who never looked bad until Hopkins exposed him.

This is a great fight. Leave it to the 50 year old to make dangerous fights we want to see.

[Chepppaaa]

if x pules that off...it would be historicly...

if kovalev kos x...i mean never ever did someone this to b-hop

damn, i am also pumped for this one

[Bard of Boxrec]

He didn't seem to show Hopkins the respect that most opponents do.

I think it was more Hopkins not respecting Murat. Hopkins chose to go toe to toe with him because he knew the guy didn't bring anything. Murat was offensive-minded because Bernard allowed him to be.

[ikorolev]

He didn't seem to show Hopkins the respect that most opponents do.

I think it was more Hopkins not respecting Murat. Hopkins chose to go toe to toe with him because he knew the guy didn't bring anything. Murat was offensive-minded because Bernard allowed him to be.

I agree. It was Hopkins who decided to show more entertaining fight, as he didn't consider Murat to be dangerous.

[SenorPipino]

Hopkins won't withdraw. He's not shaking in his undies at the thought of taking on some over-hyped Russian amateur.
He's seen it all in his 25 year + pro career.
Kovey won't bring anything new. Just the latest Flavor of the Month. A big puncher? Big deal. Just the kind of guy that an icon and master strategist like Hopkins will chew up. spit out and stomp on.
Hopkins has forgotten more about boxing than Kovalev will ever learn.
That will be quickly apparent Nov. 8.

[ikorolev]

Hopkins won't withdraw. He's not shaking in his undies at the thought of taking on some over-hyped Russian amateur.
He's seen it all in his 25 year + pro career.
Kovey won't bring anything new. Just the latest Flavor of the Month. A big puncher? Big deal. Just the kind of guy that an icon and master strategist like Hopkins will chew up. spit out and stomp on.
Hopkins has forgotten more about boxing than Kovalev will ever learn.
That will be quickly apparent Nov. 8.

Will you hate Russians even more after Hopkins retires on his chair or ends up face down on canvas ?

[ikorolev]

I am still expecting Hopkins to get injured before the fight and pull off. He is smart enough to not get in the ring with Kovalev.

I agree with this. I can't wait for the fight but even at this stage I just don't expect it to happen. If it does, Kovalev is going to Krush Hopkins. He won't be tentative, he'll just do what he do. He'll hit arms, shoulders, everything, but all of it will weaken Hopkins until Bernard starts taking shots to the chin, at which point it will be over.

If Hopkins withdraws from this fight then this is likely to result in Main Events reinstating their lawsuit against Golden Boy, Al Haymon, Showtime et al.

As a shareholder and a responsible business partner in Golden Boy, then this will affect Hopkins if Kathy Duva’s lawsuit is successful.

Therefore, I don’t expect Hopkins to withdraw from this fight, because of all the other people that could be adversely affected by his actions.

This is a valid point unless Hopkins used the time to sell his share in GB or to find another solution to avoid the lawsuit.

[SenorPipino]

Hopkins won't withdraw. He's not shaking in his undies at the thought of taking on some over-hyped Russian amateur.
He's seen it all in his 25 year + pro career.
Kovey won't bring anything new. Just the latest Flavor of the Month. A big puncher? Big deal. Just the kind of guy that an icon and master strategist like Hopkins will chew up. spit out and stomp on.
Hopkins has forgotten more about boxing than Kovalev will ever learn.
That will be quickly apparent Nov. 8.

Will you hate Russians even more after Hopkins retires on his chair or ends up face down on canvas ?

You'll have to explain to me what you've read which makes you conclude I "hate" Russians.
Just because I may prognosticate against them hardly indicates hatred.
If we go by your rationalization, I would assume that you hate Americans because you're picking against them.
Why am I singled out but your attitude is virtuous?

[ikorolev]

Hopkins won't withdraw. He's not shaking in his undies at the thought of taking on some over-hyped Russian amateur.
He's seen it all in his 25 year + pro career.
Kovey won't bring anything new. Just the latest Flavor of the Month. A big puncher? Big deal. Just the kind of guy that an icon and master strategist like Hopkins will chew up. spit out and stomp on.
Hopkins has forgotten more about boxing than Kovalev will ever learn.
That will be quickly apparent Nov. 8.

Will you hate Russians even more after Hopkins retires on his chair or ends up face down on canvas ?

You'll have to explain to me what you've read which makes you conclude I "hate" Russians.
Just because I may prognosticate against them hardly indicates hatred.
If we go by your rationalization, I would assume that you hate Americans because you're picking against them.
Why am I singled out but your attitude is virtuous?

You did not write anything bad in this thread, but you have written enough before treating them collectively as Russians or Eastern Europeans. Your ridiculous prognosis is likely based on your hate.

[Ricky_]

I wouldn't bank on a Hopkins fight being entertaining. He may have enough craft to do his thing, in which case most fans will be tuning in to something else by the 5th round, but ofcourse, giving BHop his necessary praise for stinking the joint out despite being a pensioner.

The likely hood is this will be his first loss by stoppage however.

[crusader]

He didn't seem to show Hopkins the respect that most opponents do.

I think it was more Hopkins not respecting Murat. Hopkins chose to go toe to toe with him because he knew the guy didn't bring anything. Murat was offensive-minded because Bernard allowed him to be.

I disagree. I didn't think that Hopkins traded until later in the fight, yet I thought Murat was clearly ahead after three rounds and was doing better than expected even accounting for Hopkins tendency to start slow; he was coming forward and simply moving his hands regularly, which many opponents don't do against Hopkins. The latter only consistently traded latter in the fight when Murat was gassed from his earlier high output.

[lefty]

I'm not too worried for B-Hop. He knows exactly what he is getting into, and without a doubt sees something in Kovalev's style he will exploit. Remember B-Hop is hard to land clean on, and lands plenty of good shots himself. Kovalev has pretty much had guys stand right in front of him and of course has big enough punch to KO most of them. I think the fight will be closer than many think.

Sillahk is no Hopkins but had shown to be a pretty slick boxer and a good mover before Kovalev got a hold of him in the second round. I was very impressed with Kovalev's ability to cut Sillahk off very early in that fight. He won't hit Bernard with the same types of shots but he cuts off the ring exceptionally well. Did the same in short order vs Campillo. Something no one else ever did to him.

I agree regarding Sillahk and his ability. The issue there was though that Sillahk also has one of the worst chins in that division I think and the first meaningful punch that landed had him on queer street. Also in regards to Campillo he has been hurt early in fights (cloud comes to mind) but Kovalev just closed the show.

[diddy]

Hopkins won't withdraw. He's not shaking in his undies at the thought of taking on some over-hyped Russian amateur.
He's seen it all in his 25 year + pro career.
Kovey won't bring anything new. Just the latest Flavor of the Month. A big puncher? Big deal. Just the kind of guy that an icon and master strategist like Hopkins will chew up. spit out and stomp on.
Hopkins has forgotten more about boxing than Kovalev will ever learn.
That will be quickly apparent Nov. 8.

So you're all over the +210 odds then?

[Bard of Boxrec]

Hopkins won't withdraw. He's not shaking in his undies at the thought of taking on some over-hyped Russian amateur.
He's seen it all in his 25 year + pro career.
Kovey won't bring anything new. Just the latest Flavor of the Month. A big puncher? Big deal. Just the kind of guy that an icon and master strategist like Hopkins will chew up. spit out and stomp on.
Hopkins has forgotten more about boxing than Kovalev will ever learn.
That will be quickly apparent Nov. 8.

Will you admit you were wrong after the fight?