Hopkins' last fight this Saturday - big defeat!

[banjo]

Hopkins has something a lot of boxers don't - a cunning mind, I don't expect Hopkins to win(although I'd love it if he did) but he'll do his best to make sure Kovalev has the most awkward night of his career so far.

[Coco]

Big punchers tend to spectacularly come apart when hit back.

[jaymitch81]

Apologies if already posted as not scanned through all the posts but does anyone have the full card details? Can't seem to find it on net.

Cheers

[the patriot]

Apologies if already posted as not scanned through all the posts but does anyone have the full card details? Can't seem to find it on net.

Cheers

I would mine the ring walk time of the main event.. east coast so will it be earlier than the Vegas fights??

[Tuan_Jim]

Hopkins has shocked me so many times, first Tito, then Tarver, then Pavlik, and then a number of his recent wins. Krusher does however seen to possess superhuman strength and I can see him breaking that 50 year old body long before the last bell.

B-hop to get bopped!

[Boxerbeetle]

Approx ring walk times would indeed be good, I'm really tempted to stay up for this one but as the B o x nation coverage doesn't even begin til 2am, I'm guessing it'll be a very late one. And didn't the clocks go back last week in the US?

[The Insider]

I have been told that the fight starts a little after 4am UK time. I think Hopkins will desperately try and keep Kov off using every trick in he book to do so but Sergei will catch up with him and stop with a relentless Hagler type performance.

[palooka]

Big punchers tend to spectacularly come apart when hit back.

Yes they do Coco, I'm not sure Hopkins has the punch to drop Kovalev but I don't think Kov can just ignore Hopkins shots. If Bernard can outbox this man it is a real achievement.

[ShadrachSimmo]

I still can't split them.

Hopkins could maul and hold his way to a win but could he take the hard shots of Kovalev if he lands clean. I've a feeling Hopkins may pull it off here.

[handsofstone]

Im still going for the Kovalev wide points decision,Hopkins could be stopped for first time and if he was,after the dust settles,we probably wouldnt be shocked when we look at the facts

Bernard is a one off though and should have enough savvy to go the distance but will drop round after round doing so i think,even as a home fighter Kovalev's aggression should be so evident that even the judges wont give Hopkins many rounds

[banjo]

I'm still skeptical over Kovalevs opposition, impressive nature of victory yes, none as good as Hopkins though.

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

I'm still skeptical over Kovalevs opposition, impressive nature of victory yes, none as good as Hopkins though.

Massively agreed, I think people are looking at the way he dispatched Clev, well - that is like thinking Man Utd are going to dispatch Real Madrid because they turned over Swindon Town in the Milk Cup (Or whatever it is called these days). Hopkins is the best fighter Kovalev has ever fought by a mile.

[crusader]

Hopkins has beaten far better opponents than Kovalev has, but that is largely due to wins that occurred years ago, most of which happened at different weights. Their recent opposition has been similar, and I think Kovalev has won more convincingly than Hopkins has. I understand that Kovalev hasn't fought an elite LHW yet, but then again in the last 4 years Hopkins won only 1 of his 4 bouts against that tier of opponent, and he was down and hurt multiple times in doing so.

Kovalev is by far the less proven man, and perhaps he'll be found out by Hopkins, but plenty of fighters have beaten opponents who were far more proven, including Hopkins-conqueror Jermain Taylor. Regardless, the fight is only a few hours away and I'm very excited to see what happens 8)

[lefty]

Hopkins has beaten far better opponents than Kovalev has, but that is largely due to wins that occurred years ago, most of which happened at different weights. Their recent opposition has been similar, and I think Kovalev has won more convincingly than Hopkins has. I understand that Kovalev hasn't fought an elite LHW yet, but then again in the last 4 years Hopkins won only 1 of his 4 bouts against that tier of opponent, and he was down and hurt multiple times in doing so.

Kovalev is by far the less proven man, and perhaps he'll be found out by Hopkins, but plenty of fighters have beaten opponents who were far more proven, including Hopkins-conqueror Jermain Taylor. Regardless, the fight is only a few hours away and I'm very excited to see what happens 8)

Do you think Kovalev has won more convincingly because he's been knocking his opponents out though versus the points decisions Hopkins has been delivering? That can trick you (not literally you) a little I think. It's easy to be impressed with a knockout artist.

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

Hopkins has beaten far better opponents than Kovalev has, but that is largely due to wins that occurred years ago, most of which happened at different weights. Their recent opposition has been similar, and I think Kovalev has won more convincingly than Hopkins has. I understand that Kovalev hasn't fought an elite LHW yet, but then again in the last 4 years Hopkins won only 1 of his 4 bouts against that tier of opponent, and he was down and hurt multiple times in doing so.

Kovalev is by far the less proven man, and perhaps he'll be found out by Hopkins, but plenty of fighters have beaten opponents who were far more proven, including Hopkins-conqueror Jermain Taylor. Regardless, the fight is only a few hours away and I'm very excited to see what happens 8)

That is all true, cannot argue with that.

[deadpan]

Can anyone PM me a stream? I have allegedly but am working away. Cheers.

[crusader]

Hopkins has beaten far better opponents than Kovalev has, but that is largely due to wins that occurred years ago, most of which happened at different weights. Their recent opposition has been similar, and I think Kovalev has won more convincingly than Hopkins has. I understand that Kovalev hasn't fought an elite LHW yet, but then again in the last 4 years Hopkins won only 1 of his 4 bouts against that tier of opponent, and he was down and hurt multiple times in doing so.

Kovalev is by far the less proven man, and perhaps he'll be found out by Hopkins, but plenty of fighters have beaten opponents who were far more proven, including Hopkins-conqueror Jermain Taylor. Regardless, the fight is only a few hours away and I'm very excited to see what happens 8)

Do you think Kovalev has won more convincingly because he's been knocking his opponents out though versus the points decisions Hopkins has been delivering? That can trick you (not literally you) a little I think. It's easy to be impressed with a knockout artist.

Knockouts aren't necessarily more impressive or convincing than decisions, but I think Kovalev displayed a greater disparity between him and his opponents than Hopkins did. While the latter has clearly won all his bouts back to the Pascal rematch, I think he's given away numerous rounds to people like Murat (4) and Cloud (3-4), whereas arguably better fighters in Campillo and Clev showed virtually no signs of being competitive with Kov. I don't give much weight to Caparello dropping Kovalev due to the latter's foot being stepped on, which to me doesn't make the KD a case of Kovalev having trouble with his opponent's abilities, so the only time I've over the last several years that I thought Kovalev was second best due to shortcomings of his was the first round of the Sillakh fight.

[lefty]

Hopkins has beaten far better opponents than Kovalev has, but that is largely due to wins that occurred years ago, most of which happened at different weights. Their recent opposition has been similar, and I think Kovalev has won more convincingly than Hopkins has. I understand that Kovalev hasn't fought an elite LHW yet, but then again in the last 4 years Hopkins won only 1 of his 4 bouts against that tier of opponent, and he was down and hurt multiple times in doing so.

Kovalev is by far the less proven man, and perhaps he'll be found out by Hopkins, but plenty of fighters have beaten opponents who were far more proven, including Hopkins-conqueror Jermain Taylor. Regardless, the fight is only a few hours away and I'm very excited to see what happens 8)

Do you think Kovalev has won more convincingly because he's been knocking his opponents out though versus the points decisions Hopkins has been delivering? That can trick you (not literally you) a little I think. It's easy to be impressed with a knockout artist.

Knockouts aren't necessarily more impressive or convincing than decisions, but I think Kovalev displayed a greater disparity between him and his opponents than Hopkins did. While the latter has clearly won all his bouts back to the Pascal rematch, I think he's given away numerous rounds to people like Murat (4) and Cloud (3-4), whereas arguably better fighters in Campillo and Clev showed virtually no signs of being competitive with Kov. I don't give much weight to Caparello dropping Kovalev due to the latter's foot being stepped on, which to me doesn't make the KD a case of Kovalev having trouble with his opponent's abilities, so the only time I've over the last several years that I thought Kovalev was second best due to shortcomings of his was the first round of the Sillakh fight.

In all honesty I find Kovalev quite hard to rate. He was coming off second best somewhat (although not by a huge margin by any stretch) against Sillakh but he showed some intelligence in working the openings in that fight. Sillakh's chin/punch resistance is so dire though it's hard to gauge it. I also find the Campillo victory somewhat hard to gauge because Campillo was also dropped heavily against Cloud early on and whilst he should of been given the nod in that fight, it did show he can be hurt early on. Kovalev is just a better finisher than Cloud is and a bigger puncher aswell. What i'm getting at is I dont know if Campillo was completely warmed up in that fight and wasnt allowed to get going almost. The Cleverly victory was a decent one but Cleverly hadnt really fought anyone bar Bellew (aside from Murat) and that was a very close fight in itself.

[stevedoc]

this will be a be making of a great ,that could krusher or hopkins... if kovalev wins by any way other than a KO then it's not great for him . if hopkins wins then we are talking about an amazing victory

[crusader]

In all honesty I find Kovalev quite hard to rate. He was coming off second best somewhat (although not by a huge margin by any stretch) against Sillakh but he showed some intelligence in working the openings in that fight. Sillakh's chin/punch resistance is so dire though it's hard to gauge it. I also find the Campillo victory somewhat hard to gauge because Campillo was also dropped heavily against Cloud early on and whilst he should of been given the nod in that fight, it did show he can be hurt early on. Kovalev is just a better finisher than Cloud is and a bigger puncher aswell. What i'm getting at is I dont know if Campillo was completely warmed up in that fight and wasnt allowed to get going almost. The Cleverly victory was a decent one but Cleverly hadnt really fought anyone bar Bellew (aside from Murat) and that was a very close fight in itself.

Campillo tends to noticeably pick up during the second round as he did against Shumenov and Cloud, and I saw none of that against Kovalev. So while he can start slow, I've never seen anyone else dominate him across several rounds as Kovalev did, and Kovalev being able to close the show is also an indicator of good finishing ability.

Sillakh is chinny, but he's also fast with his hands and very fast with his feet, and I think it reflected well on Kovalev that he was able to time him with a heavy shot so quickly. Other fighters may not have been as seriously hurt as Sillakh was, but it was still an accurately placed shot that landed on a vulnerable spot and I think it would've at least buzzed most fighters.

Clev has his limitations too, but I think he's generally displayed a good chin and I found it impressive that Kovalev was able to hurt him so easily. Murat and Bellew challenged for titles after Clev beat them, and in Murat's case I thought he was more competitive with Hopkins than he was with Clev even though it seems like Hopkins received far more praise for his win. Clev didn't belong in the top-tier of LHWs, but he fairly beat other contenders and I think he was at least as good as Cloud and better than Shumenov.

Tonight Kovalev is admittedly facing someone who is more durable than Sillakh and Campillo, and significantly more proven and skilled than Clev, so let's see how he fares.

[lefty]

In all honesty I find Kovalev quite hard to rate. He was coming off second best somewhat (although not by a huge margin by any stretch) against Sillakh but he showed some intelligence in working the openings in that fight. Sillakh's chin/punch resistance is so dire though it's hard to gauge it. I also find the Campillo victory somewhat hard to gauge because Campillo was also dropped heavily against Cloud early on and whilst he should of been given the nod in that fight, it did show he can be hurt early on. Kovalev is just a better finisher than Cloud is and a bigger puncher aswell. What i'm getting at is I dont know if Campillo was completely warmed up in that fight and wasnt allowed to get going almost. The Cleverly victory was a decent one but Cleverly hadnt really fought anyone bar Bellew (aside from Murat) and that was a very close fight in itself.

Campillo tends to noticeably pick up during the second round as he did against Shumenov and Cloud, and I saw none of that against Kovalev. So while he can start slow, I've never seen anyone else dominate him across several rounds as Kovalev did, and Kovalev being able to close the show is also an indicator of good finishing ability.

Sillakh is chinny, but he's also fast with his hands and very fast with his feet, and I think it reflected well on Kovalev that he was able to time him with a heavy shot so quickly. Other fighters may not have been as seriously hurt as Sillakh was, but it was still an accurately placed shot that landed on a vulnerable spot and I think it would've at least buzzed most fighters.

Clev has his limitations too, but I think he's generally displayed a good chin and I found it impressive that Kovalev was able to hurt him so easily. Murat and Bellew challenged for titles after Clev beat them, and in Murat's case I thought he was more competitive with Hopkins than he was with Clev even though it seems like Hopkins received far more praise for his win. Clev didn't belong in the top-tier of LHWs, but he fairly beat other contenders and I think he was at least as good as Cloud and better than Shumenov.

Tonight Kovalev is facing someone who is more durable than Sillakh and Campillo, and far more proven and skilled than Clev, so let's see how he fares against someone who has regularly upset less tested opponents.

Yeah im very intrigued by this fight. I'd have to favour Kovalev even though im still somewhat unsure of him but it's definietly an interesting one.

[handsofstone]

Say what you want about Buncey and Co they know how to fill a show when there's no boxing,and with Bunceys enthusiastic voice, you don't get bored,Sky and Ch5 are more polished but could you imagine trying to listen to their fillers when you are as pissed as I am now at half 3 in the morning

[Glass Joe]

Tempted to put money on Hopkins cause of the odds and who he is. but not having much luck so staying away. It will be one of them fights you know who's going to win after 2 rounds

[Glass Joe]

All to the Russian (Hopkins down in the first). Wonder how long Hopkins is willing to be in there before his corner pull him out.

[crusader]

70-62 Kov