Thread: Sergey Kovalev vs. Bernard Hopkins: who wins?

What's your prediction?

I think its going to be a close fight but if B hop can take Kovalevs power I don't see why he cant win this on points. Kovalev hasn't fought anybody on the level of Hopkins and Hopkins is a lot more experienced especially fighting championship level fights. Kovalev is use to blasting everybody out in the ring but when has B hop been close to being stopped? I cant remember off the top of my head that ever happening. Im pretty sure Kovalev hasn't even been past 10 rounds before?? Whos to say that hes going to be as good as he is at the start of the fight at the end? We don't know this at all and that's a fact because hes never seen the later rounds.

There is always the risk that Kovalev could blast Hopkins out like he has been doing to all of his fighters but I think B hop will be too clever to let that happen and could this frustrate Kovalev? Kovalev is a good boxer though, hes patient and the knockout happens from his heavy hands and he sets up his work nicely, hat's why I expect this to be a close fight. But B hop will need to do everything to take away Kovalevs danger punches and try and outbox
Kovalev.

Im picking B hop in a close fight but his experience will be the deciding factor.

Prediction:

Hopkins with his designer PEDS survives the 12 rounds with the help of his friend Steve Smoger. Then the judges rob Kovalev.

or:

Hopkins puts on an act and Smoger gives him a DQ win.

I'm betting on Hop. I think you could tell from their interviews and demeanor that Kov will show too much respect and doubt himself. He has already said that even if he loses he will improve because he will learn in that fight. At the elite level, doubt like that is usually REALLY bad for your prospect of winning. I look for Hop to constantly move and win a decision. He is going to catch Kov at some point early and make him think too much, which will allow Hop to set the pace, avoid the big shots, and get the decision. Worst fight for Kov to take, as I think he destroys Adonis...

Keep Steve Smogger out of the building. I think he has a thang for Hopkins.
What I don't want to see is Hopkins patting another fighter on the back after he just made a fool out of them.
Hoping for a good, clean, hard fought match. What more can you ask for.

Kovalev vs. Caparello Highlights: HBO Boxing After Dark - YouTube

I think Kovalev will win but I would be supporting Hopkins.

Well, I've predicted a points win for Hopkins, but I could easily wake up tomorrow and think he's gonna get KO'd! He always tends to get a ref that lets him hold and stop an opponents tempo. To be fair, who wouldn't in his shoes. I've criticised him in the past, but the minute he gets through the ropes for this fight, he has my total respect, win , lose or draw!

Originally Posted by Tam Seddon

I think its going to be a close fight but if B hop can take Kovalevs power I don't see why he cant win this on points. Kovalev hasn't fought anybody on the level of Hopkins and Hopkins is a lot more experienced especially fighting championship level fights. Kovalev is use to blasting everybody out in the ring but when has B hop been close to being stopped? I cant remember off the top of my head that ever happening. Im pretty sure Kovalev hasn't even been past 10 rounds before?? Whos to say that hes going to be as good as he is at the start of the fight at the end? We don't know this at all and that's a fact because hes never seen the later rounds.

There is always the risk that Kovalev could blast Hopkins out like he has been doing to all of his fighters but I think B hop will be too clever to let that happen and could this frustrate Kovalev? Kovalev is a good boxer though, hes patient and the knockout happens from his heavy hands and he sets up his work nicely, hat's why I expect this to be a close fight. But B hop will need to do everything to take away Kovalevs danger punches and try and outbox
Kovalev.

Im picking B hop in a close fight but his experience will be the deciding factor.

Not since Pascal 1 have I seen Hopkins in real danger. He came back and won that fight tho in my book.

One thing I find worrisome for Hopkins is John David Jackson in the other corner. Those two know each other very well and have a long history working together. Also, hop stopped Jackson and credits him with teaching how tonight southpaws. Interesting fight the more I look at it.

Originally Posted by mikeeod

One thing I find worrisome for Hopkins is John David Jackson in the other corner. Those two know each other very well and have a long history working together. Also, hop stopped Jackson and credits him with teaching how tonight southpaws. Interesting fight the more I look at it.

Very good point. I'd never thought of that. Surely JDJ knows a lot about how Hopkins fights and thinks.

I gave up on picking against Hopkins a long time ago Go The Alien

I Got B Hop in this one. Kovalev is too much of a straight forward fighter, I fully expect Bernard to frustrate him and have him chasing him around the ring. Kovalev will chase and Bernard will stick n move, kovalev chases and bernard pops him with the one two and clinches. I truly believe that will be the story of the fight

Every time I've tipped against Hopkins he's cost me money - Trinidad, Tarver, Pavlik. But I just can't see how anyone at 49 can handle Kovalev's power. Brave man to take him on.

It's one of two things. Hopkins sees something in Kovalev that he is confident he can exploit or he was forced to make the decision rather than vacate a title to accommodate Haymon. I have to think it's the former. I like Hopkins in this fight on the cards.