Bernard Hopkins vs. Sergey Kovalev

GilFilmore · Post by **GilFilmore** » 04 Nov 2014, 14:47

It's fight week!!! Let's get some predictions in here.

SenorPipino · Post by **SenorPipino** » 04 Nov 2014, 17:11

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Rumble in the Jungle, the icon Bernard Hopkins will befuddle, out-think and outpunch the overhyped, unproven Russian on the way to a 8th round KO.
History repeats in 3 days.

handsofstone · Post by **handsofstone** » 04 Nov 2014, 17:20

SenorPipino wrote:To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Rumble in the Jungle, the icon Bernard Hopkins will befuddle, out-think and outpunch the overhyped, unproven Russian on the way to a 8th round KO.
History repeats in 3 days.

Now that would be something

Kovalev wins a wide decision IMO,I dont think Sergey's mentally weak enough to fall for any traps and Bernard will find this out as soon as the bell rings and go into survival mode,occasionally trying to foul and disrupt Kovalev's rythym,if Hopkins was to open up for any length of time then Kovalev should KO him,Hopkins has a great chin obviously and Kovalev's no Pernell Whittaker but i just think he's far too sharp for Hopkins,and as astounding Bernard's career is,i just cant see a nigh on 50 year old being able to stand up from a flush combination from a puncher like Kovalev

Part of me want Hopkins to keep defying belief,the other part wants the big Russian to KO the racist twat

Ian1973 · Post by **Ian1973** » 04 Nov 2014, 17:43

Kovalev KO.

PsychoGamerTwo · Post by **PsychoGamerTwo** » 04 Nov 2014, 18:23

Could Hopkins beat him? Yes. Will he? No. He's too old, and lost against lesser fighters. He didn't look good against Murat, and Shumenov was a damn joke. If Kovalev doesn't KO him, he will win a decision. Can Hopkins make it difficult? Sure. Will he? We will see.

lefty · Post by **lefty** » 04 Nov 2014, 19:36

PsychoGamerTwo wrote:Could Hopkins beat him? Yes. Will he? No. He's too old, and lost against lesser fighters. He didn't look good against Murat, and Shumenov was a damn joke. If Kovalev doesn't KO him, he will win a decision. Can Hopkins make it difficult? Sure. Will he? We will see.

Who are the lesser fighters you're talking about that he lost to?

crusader · Post by **crusader** » 04 Nov 2014, 19:49

Doug Fischer wrote this and it resonated with me:

We were all so awed by Hopkins’ performances against Cloud and Murat – as we should have – that many of us forgot that those fights were competitive, at least in spots, and that both put hands on him. I embedded highlights of the Murat fight above your email as a reminder of the many times Hopkins was hit (or partially hit) during his exchanges with the lower-top 10 contender. After six rounds, the Showtime broadcast booth of Paulie Malignaggi, Al Bernstein and Steve Farhood all had the fight even, 57-57. That was against Murat, a guy whose best performances are a majority decision and draw against Gabriel Campillo in Germany; a guy who was stopped in 10 rounds by Nathan Cleverly. I don’t have to remind you what Kovalev did to “Campy” and “The Clev.”

Hopkins took over the Murat fight in the second half (as he usually does) and won a wide unanimous decision, but if he gets hit that often against Kovalev in the first six rounds will he be able to mount any second-half rally? Will he even be conscious? That’s a legit question.

diddy · Post by **diddy** » 04 Nov 2014, 20:29

Hop by KO? Haha that's funny.

Badhusker · Post by **Badhusker** » 04 Nov 2014, 21:32

I picked Kovalev by KO, but won't be surprised if B-Hop somehow stinks it out for a decision. Having said that, I will give B-Hop full credit if he does win. Got to admire the boys and skills of the old guy.

Freedom2013 · Post by **Freedom2013** » 05 Nov 2014, 01:24

B-Hop by technical decision robbery in an ugly fight with Kovalev being badly cut over both eyes by Hopkins head butts.

Syntax Error · Post by **Syntax Error** » 05 Nov 2014, 05:52

I'm not wholly confident, but I'm picking Kovalev on points.

Hopkins is going to make it difficult & ugly & Sergey will have to work like he has never done before, but I think his youth will help him to prevail.

pound per pound · Post by **pound per pound** » 05 Nov 2014, 06:38

Although it's over looked, Kovalev is murder to the body and Hopkins has some issues taking this punch.

I think Kovalev knocks Hopkins down early and punishes him with heavy shots to the head and body.

It will be over before the 8th round.

Kovalev via Tko.

Ps I really hope Hopkins keeps it clean.

Ezzard · Post by **Ezzard** » 05 Nov 2014, 07:24

Hopkins on pts

crusader · Post by **crusader** » 05 Nov 2014, 08:03

Close poll, with nearly 50 percent choosing Hopkins at this time. I've also seen him favored in a media poll and by loads of posters on other forums.

Given this I don't think it will be a major upset if he wins, though if that happens I won't be surprised if the narrative changes to Hopkins 'shocking' the world again.

Clint Magnum · Post by **Clint Magnum** » 05 Nov 2014, 08:14

handsofstone wrote:
SenorPipino wrote:To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Rumble in the Jungle, the icon Bernard Hopkins will befuddle, out-think and outpunch the overhyped, unproven Russian on the way to a 8th round KO.
History repeats in 3 days.
Now that would be something

Kovalev wins a wide decision IMO,I dont think Sergey's mentally weak enough to fall for any traps and Bernard will find this out as soon as the bell rings and go into survival mode,occasionally trying to foul and disrupt Kovalev's rythym,if Hopkins was to open up for any length of time then Kovalev should KO him,Hopkins has a great chin obviously and Kovalev's no Pernell Whittaker but i just think he's far too sharp for Hopkins,and as astounding Bernard's career is,i just cant see a nigh on 50 year old being able to stand up from a flush combination from a puncher like Kovalev

Part of me want Hopkins to keep defying belief,the other part wants the big Russian to KO the racist twat

Perseus · Post by **Perseus** » 05 Nov 2014, 09:29

Surprised to see predictions divided so evenly.

Once again it's all about age will THIS fight finally be one where Father Time shows up to claim Hopkins?

Just remember if being old means one guy gets more credit for a victory it also has to mean the younger gets gets less credit for victory if he wins.
If Hopkins' age matters when he wins it matters when he loses too.

I still think it's kind of funny that this fight is happening mainly because Hopkins needed a way to dodge his IBF mandatory.
Boxers discard their belts all the time for a number of reasons but the old man has never just given away a belt and is still willing to fight anybody to avoid being stripped.
In the world Bernard Hopkins occupies having his belts taken by another boxer is more acceptable than letting sanctioning body politics take them away.

SteveDow · Post by **SteveDow** » 05 Nov 2014, 09:36

The most likely 3 scenarios for me are:

1. Kovalev is just way too powerful and bombs Hopkins out early. Hopkins is a notoriously slow starter and if he is ever going to be stopped it would be early in my view before he has had chance to get into a rhythm. The most obvious example of him being a slow starter in the first Pascal fight but there are plenty of other less obvious examples as well.

2. Hopkins figures Kovalev out after a couple of rounds and makes him look foolish and cruises to a wide points win. I think this is actually the most likely scenario.

3. Kovalev gives up on trying to get the knock out after 5 or 6 rounds and instead concentrates on trying to outwork Hopkins and then either wins or loses a narrow points decision.

I don't see either a Hopkins stoppage or a late Kovalev stoppage.

crusader · Post by **crusader** » 05 Nov 2014, 09:36

Hopkins is the poll favorite now: 52-46-2

Bard of Boxrec · Post by **Bard of Boxrec** » 05 Nov 2014, 09:46

Freedom2013 wrote:B-Hop by technical decision robbery in an ugly fight with Kovalev being badly cut over both eyes by Hopkins head butts.

JDJ has thought of it. Team Kovalev are coming into this with a plan to combat Hopkins' roughousing. The plan will be, don't even give him the chance to get in range. Kovalev gets his punishing shots off from mid range and stops Hopkins before the eighth round.

It's going to be interesting to see if Bernard gives the guy credit afterwards. He's always struck me as a pretty bad loser

MachoTime · Post by **MachoTime** » 05 Nov 2014, 10:39

Kovalev. I'm not so certain of a KO since I've never seen Hopkins KO'd. But there is a good chance of some type of stoppage by Kovalev. Don't know what it might be but I'm picking Kovalev to win.

Taansend · Post by **Taansend** » 05 Nov 2014, 10:45

The more boring & ugly the fight is, the more chance Hopkins has of winning. I think he'll win on points but a late stoppage or disqualification wouldn't surprise me.

Kovalev needs to jump on him while the first bell is still ringing to have a chance.

ikorolev · Post by **ikorolev** » 05 Nov 2014, 11:22

diddy wrote:Hop by KO? Haha that's funny.

There is a small chance of that taking into account Kovalev's suspect chin (was KO'ed in amateurs). I actually think that Bernard's chances to outpoint Kovalev are slim unless he manages to shake Sergey early.

Baby Face Finster · Post by **Baby Face Finster** » 05 Nov 2014, 11:42

The most likely scenario for me is Hopkins gets DQ'd for repeated fouls or fakes getting fouled and insists he can't go on. I envision something along the lines of Hopkins-Dawson I. Hopkins will have an exit strategy if he finds that Kovalev can hurt him badly.

Tarkus · Post by **Tarkus** » 05 Nov 2014, 12:37

Hopkins KO - 5% Only if Hopkins survive onslaught and Kovalev punches himself out.

Hopkins PTS - 15% Hopkins survives early. Upsets Kovalev with his speed movement and clinching.

Kovalev PTS - 25% Kovalev out works, hurts and drops Hopkins but can not KO him.

Kovalev KO - 50% Kovalev badly hurts Hopkins. Hopkins can not continue.

No Contest - 5% Head butts, wrestling or jumping through the ropes.

IKSRTFO · Post by **IKSRTFO** » 05 Nov 2014, 12:41

Riddick Blowe wrote:
Freedom2013 wrote:B-Hop by technical decision robbery in an ugly fight with Kovalev being badly cut over both eyes by Hopkins head butts.
JDJ has thought of it. Team Kovalev are coming into this with a plan to combat Hopkins' roughousing. The plan will be, don't even give him the chance to get in range. Kovalev gets his punishing shots off from mid range and stops Hopkins before the eighth round.

It's going to be interesting to see if Bernard gives the guy credit afterwards. He's always struck me as a pretty bad loser

Letting Hopkins stay on the outside would be equally bad as Kovalev would then have to be forced to close the distance on taller and longer Hopkins giving Hopkins too much time to think. Kovalev isn't fast of feet.