Bernard Hopkins vs. Sergey Kovalev

[ikorolev]

He'd never seen anything like Pascal, Dawson, or Taylor before either? There's really nothing fancy about these guys, so I find it hard to believe that throughout his lengthy career BHOP had never faced anyone with similar attributes. It's true that Pascal is faster than Kovalev, but his workrate is also terrible and that meshes well with Hopkins' style. Kov is more active and has a more diverse range of attack, and to me those qualities should help him land.

Also, Hopkins is favored in a poll on Boxing News's website by nearly 100 votes. He's also favored in this poll and a major media poll.

http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/who-win ... ts-decide/

I wish Hopkins would be favored by bookies. I would put money on Kova then. However, bookies don't believe in all that Alien crap or stupid comparisons of Kovalev and Pavlik.

[IKSRTFO]

Yeah but Pascal is awkward and fast, both of which Kovalev aren't. Kovalev hasn't never faced a fighter like Hopkins but BHop has seen his fair share of Kovalevs.

For example ? Just don't bring that Pavlik poo.

He's beaten "better" punchers. Not so much harder punchers but "better" punchers that hit hard and PROVEN TO LAND ON TOP OPPOSTION which Kovalev hasn't proved up to this point. Say what you want but Jones, Trinidad, Tarver, and Oscar were much better fighters overall than Kovalev. Prime Jones and Tarver would probably beat Kovalev.

And even then, those guys struggled to land on Hopkins so how will Kovalev magically hurt Bhop if he can't even land a flush shot on him? Mark my words, Hopkins will see Kovalev's punches a mile away.

[crusader]

Yeah but Pascal is awkward and fast, both of which Kovalev aren't. Kovalev hasn't never faced a fighter like Hopkins but BHop has seen his fair share of Kovalevs.

For example ? Just don't bring that Pavlik poo.

He's beaten "better" punchers. Not so much harder punchers but "better" punchers that hit hard and PROVEN TO LAND ON TOP OPPOSTION which Kovalev hasn't proved up to this point. Say what you want but Jones, Trinidad, Tarver, and Oscar were much better fighters overall than Kovalev. Prime Jones and Tarver would probably beat Kovalev.

Why should we think that Kovalev won't succeed against top opposition? Just because he hasn't won at that level yet doesn't mean that he won't or can't.

Taylor hadn't fought anyone like Hopkins going into their first bout, but then he beat him twice.

[ikorolev]

Yeah but Pascal is awkward and fast, both of which Kovalev aren't. Kovalev hasn't never faced a fighter like Hopkins but BHop has seen his fair share of Kovalevs.

For example ? Just don't bring that Pavlik poo.

He's beaten "better" punchers. Not so much harder punchers but "better" punchers that hit hard and PROVEN TO LAND ON TOP OPPOSTION which Kovalev hasn't proved up to this point. Say what you want but Jones, Trinidad, Tarver, and Oscar were much better fighters overall than Kovalev. Prime Jones and Tarver would probably beat Kovalev.

And even then, those guys struggled to land on Hopkins so how will Kovalev magically hurt Bhop if he can't even land a flush shot on him? Mark my words, Hopkins will see Kovalev's punches a mile away.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, and current Hopkins is as good as the one who defeated Jones and Traver

... and he didn't seem to have gotten under Kovalev's skin. If somebody looks uptight or down in these pictures, it is Bernard:

http://www.BS.com/photos-hopki ... ry--83995?

[lefty]

Got a weird feeling that Hopkins might knock Kovalev out which is a mad one i know considering he hasnt knocked anyone out for about 200 years.

Not a weird feeling. Just a ridiculously stupid feeling.

Thanks for your input. You can shut up now :)

[JCS]

As many times as some of you have been wrong, it's baffling how you bash the opinions of others on the fight's outcome.

[crusader]

I don't see Hopkins knocking him out given that he hasn't scored at stoppage in 10 years and has never scored a stoppage when fighting above 168 pounds.

Strange shitt can happen though.

[lefty]

I don't see Hopkins knocking him out given that he hasn't scored at stoppage in 10 years and has never scored a stoppage when fighting above 168 pounds.

Strange shitt can happen though.

Its just a feeling ive got. It's not based on logic and anything concrete so i certainly wouldnt bet a lot of money on it lol. It's just a combination of there being a slight question mark around Kovalev's chin and also it wouldnt surprise me if it was one of those freak knockouts. Not a spectactular one by any means but one where Bernard just lands and almost perfectly placed shot which buckles Sergey and then he proceeds to tee off on (even though Kovalev isnt hugely hurt) him until the ref steps in.

[KBB]

Yeah but Pascal is awkward and fast, both of which Kovalev aren't. Kovalev hasn't never faced a fighter like Hopkins but BHop has seen his fair share of Kovalevs.

For example ? Just don't bring that Pavlik poo.

Pavlik, yes he's a prime example. When I say his fair share of Kovalevs then I'm referencing big punchers but one thing is for sure; Kovalev has never seen a boxer like Hopkins.

Sergey's best chance to win is to ambush Hopkins within the first 4-5 rounds, after that Nard will have gauged Kova's timing, reach and reactions to his feints and traps then the schooling will begin. If Kova is going to get it done then he better do it early or it won't happen at all, look for a wide UD by BHop who'll make it look obvious after 4-5 rounds.

[lefty]

Kovalev looked nervous at the stare down I thought https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT6GcLY5CxU

[crusader]

Kovalev looked nervous at the stare down I thought https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT6GcLY5CxU

I thought he looked relaxed and playful, as if he was making light of BHOP's ultra-seriousness.

[lefty]

Kovalev looked nervous at the stare down I thought https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT6GcLY5CxU

I thought he looked relaxed and playful.

He was chewing on that gum pretty quickly and didnt seem comfortable holding eye contact constantly like Bernard did.

[crusader]

Do you know how fast he usually chews his gum? To me it looks like he was just playing.

[magwitch]

B-Hop's gonna gobble this young pup up, I'm afraid. There'll be quite a bit of grabbing in this fight, Kovalev will plough on regardless and try to fight honest but I think Bernard's going to be too savvy for him.
Who is screening this in the UK? Is it S-ky?

[lefty]

Do you know how fast he usually chews his gum? To me it looks like he was just playing.

It looked like faster than standard gum chewing though lol.

[magwitch]

I personally don't put much faith in stare downs. There's some great fighters that just don't go in for that stuff and some lesser fighters that are just good at staring-out competitions.

[lefty]

I personally don't put much faith in stare downs. There's some great fighters that just don't go in for that stuff and some lesser fighters that are just good at staring-out competitions.

Yeah fair point.

[Blodhemn]

Kovalev by decision most likely. As good as a boxer/puncher he is, it's still very hard to stop someone who doesn't really want to engage.

[ikorolev]

Yeah but Pascal is awkward and fast, both of which Kovalev aren't. Kovalev hasn't never faced a fighter like Hopkins but BHop has seen his fair share of Kovalevs.

For example ? Just don't bring that Pavlik poo.

Pavlik, yes he's a prime example. When I say his fair share of Kovalevs then I'm referencing big punchers but one thing is for sure; Kovalev has never seen a boxer like Hopkins.

Sergey's best chance to win is to ambush Hopkins within the first 4-5 rounds, after that Nard will have gauged Kova's timing, reach and reactions to his feints and traps then the schooling will begin. If Kova is going to get it done then he better do it early or it won't happen at all, look for a wide UD by BHop who'll make it look obvious after 4-5 rounds.

OK, Kovalev by stoppage in 4.

[JCS]

I'm expecting an exciting/edgy fight. I think both guys go down.. Kovalev early, Hopkins somewhere mid-to-late. I think Kovalev eats a straight right and Hopkins goes down off balance at some point.. due to Kovalev's jarring power.

No idea who's going to take it. The pedigree of Hopkins is far superior to Kovalev and Kovalev does not have the profile of the prototype fighter that beats Hopkins, but Kovalev is the one on the upward tick.. obviously.

I want to lean toward Hopkins w/ a close decision... and maybe he gets the benefit of the doubt on the cards.

[ikorolev]

I personally don't put much faith in stare downs. There's some great fighters that just don't go in for that stuff and some lesser fighters that are just good at staring-out competitions.

To me, Hopkins looked great physically but not so good emotionally. Of course, I am not a shrink, so we shall see tomorrow. Hope his uncle doesn't suddenly die.

[lefty]

I'm expecting an exciting/edgy fight. I think both guys go down.. Kovalev early, Hopkins somewhere mid-to-late. I think Kovalev eats a straight right and Hopkins goes down off balance at some point.. due to Kovalev's jarring power.

No idea who's going to take it. The pedigree of Hopkins is far superior to Kovalev and Kovalev does not have the profile of the prototype fighter that beats Hopkins, but Kovalev is the one on the upward tick.. obviously.

For me, Hopkins tends to lose to more athletic boxer types rather guys like Kovalev. He had trouble with Dawson and Taylor and more so because of the speed of those guys at the time combined with the fact they have good boxing IQ's like he does. Kovalev whilst not a slugger by any stretch still isnt particularily slick or defensively minded like those two are/were.

[JCS]

Right. Kovalev doesn't fit the mold of a fighter who Hopkins loses closely against... thus far, there is no mold of a fighter that beats Hopkins handily.

Though, that may all go out the window considering Hopkins is almost 50.

[crusader]

there is no mold of a fighter that beats Hopkins handily

The Chad Dawson mold?

[JCS]

there is no mold of a fighter that beats Hopkins handily

The Chad Dawson mold?

IMO, Jones won the widest over Hop. And 8-4 isn't what I would call handily... but considering it was over 20 years ago, I'm not sure it is relevant... plus Jones is an all-time great.

I think I had Dawson winning 7 rounds.. plus it was an MD, so I'd consider that a close loss.