Hopkins v. Kovalev in Atlantic City if Kovalev Wins this Weekend

This is a great fight at light heavyweight. I like Hopkins in this one if there is no testing.

Massive respect to Hopkins if this happens. Nearly 50 and he's trying to unify titles against a pretty brutal puncher. Win or Lose ( and I haven't a clue who to pick) he deserves credit.

Hopkins rocks Kovi to sleep in a snoozer. Grab, spin, smother, punch on the break... rinse and repeat. My only hope is that Kovi drops Hopkins and with a shot and then puts him through the ropes. Then again .. Knowing hopkins, he'd pull another cintron (or did cintron pull a hopkins) and use it as a way to get a rematch. Either way, hope Kovalev puts and end to hopkins smoke an mirrors show. At least foreman fought his opponents when he was old.

the papa will send the young boy back to old school!!!!!!!!!

I think I've picked against Hopkins exactly 1 time since he obliterated Dennis Milton a lifetime ago. This will be number 2. Been thinking it for eight or so months, Kovalev has the ring savvy and complete unshakable arsenal to knock Hopkins out.

Nothing but respect and tip of the hat to Hopkins who is facing challenges kids half his age shy away from. First things first, and very savvy timing on announcement ....Kovalev must focus on this cagey Aussie tomorrow night. Nothing else.

Splendid stuff. Sometimes it's easy to criticise Hopkins, but you cannot criticise that. Good on you, BHop.

So awesome if this fight happens. I don't see bhop winning this. I actually think that he pulls a fake injury because he knows he will get knocked out.

I think Kov stops him. Kov is a different animal to the the guys Hops been fighting the last 4 years or so. Hop will go into survival mode early.

Believe in Hopkins.

He can beat Adonis or Kovalev.

Hopkins is fighting a very dangerous man. Kovalev is probably the hardest p4p puncher today. Hopkins will box, but he is nearly 50, and this makes it a very exciting fight.

if this happens its my favourite fight of the year to happen

Maybe I over rate kovalev but I think that he is the real deal. I think that he is better than we think. He reminds me almost exactly of ggg. Both huge punchers that just need that one big win to put them over the top. The difference between kovalev and ggg IMO is that kovalev is an even harder puncher. He sets up his shots well and doesn't get over anxious at all. I think he beats bhop then KO's Stevenson. He will then be a top few p4p fighter.

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Originally Posted by J_Undisputed

Hopkins rocks Kovi to sleep in a snoozer. Grab, spin, smother, punch on the break... rinse and repeat. My only hope is that Kovi drops Hopkins and with a shot and then puts him through the ropes. Then again .. Knowing hopkins, he'd pull another cintron (or did cintron pull a hopkins) and use it as a way to get a rematch. Either way, hope Kovalev puts and end to hopkins smoke an mirrors show. At least foreman fought his opponents when he was old.

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I hear you sir, loud and clear, haven't liked Hopkins since I first saw him in his executioner hood.
I definitely want to see him get beat, but I do respect the fact that he is still fighting at a high level at his age.
I'm beginning to wonder if Hopkins isn't as amazed as the rest of us, and is fighting not because he loves it or needs the money, but because he also wants to see how long his run is going to last, plus plant his legacy in concrete.

By the way, contrast Hopkins attitude to facing Kovalev with Stevenson's, and Kovalev's attitude with Stevenson's. Kovalev and Hopkins want the best at 175 and Stevenson, well, he doesn't.

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Originally Posted by Gandalf

Splendid stuff. Sometimes it's easy to criticise Hopkins, but you cannot criticise that. Good on you, BHop.

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... apparently Stevenson's camp caused all of this by wanting to be blocked in with Showtime and Haymon.

Haymon had better watch it before a wave of fighters start to leave his camp, go with Golden Boy and opt to remain away from Showtime.

Mayweather will soon retire... and the Mayweather money will soon run out... be mindful.

Kudos to both, but you really have to respect Hop for fighting the top dogs at his age. Foreman wasn't fighting Bowe, Lewis...etc., n hop is taking on top, undefeated, young fighters almost every time out. I look for him to school Kov, get the fight with Stevenson, and dominate that one as well. Guy is an ATG n top 15 all time if he wins those two at his age.

This is THE fight at 175 for me. It's pretty crazy that Hopkins would take it, no matter how many times we've all said that before. He is 50 and Kovalev is a serious KO puncher. Any other time there has been a matchup like this on paper it has probably been quite pathetic.

I don't buy that Hopkins priced himself out against Stevenson either. I think that goofy piece of shit might just want to defend his title at home, make some money and retire. He would have been a much easier fight for either man imo, the guy is basically a one handed fighter without a great chin and is old himself. He wouldn't have a hope in hell of beating Kovalev or Hopkins, for my money.

Hopkins made a strategic error here for the first time in his career imo and I think he will look every much his age verses Kov and had a much better shot at beating Stevenson. Adonis although he punches with both hands is essentially a one handed fighter and his feet are not very good. Take away the straight left and I think he's kinda lost. Hopkins knows southpaws and could easily be considered somewhat of a southpaw specialist. Now according to Stevensons people, Bernard priced himself out of the fight by asking for 75% of the coin. He had to know that wouldn't fly. Now he's got a fight against a guy whose name he would not even speak. Must be the split and the fact he will get home ice. Still since he wants to unify the division I suppose it makes no difference. Take the tougher fight now rather then later.

Trouble is now Stevenson is fighting the "regular" Wba champ in Brahmer and not the real champ in Hopkins and they are calling it a unification fight which is a crock, What happens after this fight is predictable. The Wbc will make Stevenson should he win "super champion" and the title will then become vacant and we are again back at square one. Not only are these extra belts scabs, fee grabs and redundant but they are also convenient escape clauses for promoters, Orgs and fighters.

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Originally Posted by Silkeyjoe

I think Kov stops him. Kov is a different animal to the the guys Hops been fighting the last 4 years or so. Hop will go into survival mode early.

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They were saying the exact same shit going into the Kelly Pavlik fight

This is not 2008 and Kovalev is not Kelly Pavlik.

Hopkins has a set of brass balls on him for taking this fight. I can't wait for this one. After the Pavlik fight I said I'd never pick against Hopkins again but this one is going to be tough for him. Kovalev is a big strong lad and mobile. Hopkins is going to struggle to do what he normally does but he obviously thinks he can do it. Wonder how Stevenson is felling right now.

Also. I'm loyal to Showtime, Richard Schaefer and Al Haymon. :)

Great move by Hopkins :D

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Originally Posted by IamInuit

This is not 2008 and Kovalev is not Kelly Pavlik.

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No but Pavlik was a 3 to 1 favorite going in and was expected to win

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Originally Posted by Violent Demise

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Originally Posted by IamInuit

This is not 2008 and Kovalev is not Kelly Pavlik.

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No but Pavlik was a 3 to 1 favorite going in and was expected to win

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Pavlik was not the beast that kovalev is. To me, kovalev is clearly better than pavlik. He is a monster. Bhop is not seeing the final bell in this fight. Whether it's from a KO or bhop pretending to be injured, the fight won't go 12 rounds.

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Originally Posted by powerpuncher

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Originally Posted by Violent Demise

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Originally Posted by IamInuit

This is not 2008 and Kovalev is not Kelly Pavlik.

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No but Pavlik was a 3 to 1 favorite going in and was expected to win

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Pavlik was not the beast that kovalev is. To me, kovalev is clearly better than pavlik. He is a monster. Bhop is not seeing the final bell in this fight. Whether it's from a KO or bhop pretending to be injured, the fight won't go 12 rounds.

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Ye of little faith. Kovalev has a draw and two decision victories.

Hopkins is well aware of this and has a whole bag of tricks for the Krusher.

Hopkins is an alien motherfuckers! Lol

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Originally Posted by IamInuit

This is not 2008 and Kovalev is not Kelly Pavlik.

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Are you sure it isn't 2008 , and Kovalev isn't Kelly Pavlik ?

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Originally Posted by Violent Demise

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Originally Posted by Silkeyjoe

I think Kov stops him. Kov is a different animal to the the guys Hops been fighting the last 4 years or so. Hop will go into survival mode early.

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They were saying the exact same shit going into the Kelly Pavlik fight

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Were they? Pavlik was a middleweight fighting at 170. Kov is a light heavyweight. As Ive mentioned on another thread its rare that a puncher at 160 has been a puncher at 168 or higher.

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Originally Posted by Hulk

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Originally Posted by powerpuncher

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Originally Posted by Violent Demise

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Originally Posted by IamInuit

This is not 2008 and Kovalev is not Kelly Pavlik.

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No but Pavlik was a 3 to 1 favorite going in and was expected to win

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Pavlik was not the beast that kovalev is. To me, kovalev is clearly better than pavlik. He is a monster. Bhop is not seeing the final bell in this fight. Whether it's from a KO or bhop pretending to be injured, the fight won't go 12 rounds.

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Ye of little faith. Kovalev has a draw and two decision victories.

Hopkins is well aware of this and has a whole bag of tricks for the Krusher.

Hopkins is an alien motherfuckers! Lol

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LMFAO. Kov has a draw. I guess Hopkins tactics will be to fake an injury early and get a TD out of it to.

In saying all this Id be scared to take on Hopkins too aggressively. I was gonna make Kov a 4/11 fav

I am not a Hopkins fan as you lot no, but he may just old man Kovalev as the pace Kov fights
is a bit plodding it would suit Hopkins down to the ground.
Kovalev could just end it in the blink of a eye,! one punch but Hopkins is no fool he could frustrate
Kovalev, see the fight being holding and hitting affair by Hopkins.
This fight is pure power on one side, and a Hopkins who we no is very difficult to beat.

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Originally Posted by Rantcatrat

This is a great fight at light heavyweight. I like Hopkins in this one if there is no testing.

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It's a fight that if I was managing either one, I'd tell them DON'T DO IT

If I was in Hopkins corner

I'd tell him that he has nothing to prove. He has beaten more stellar fighters than Kovalev. Why fight a fighter who could dine out for the rest of his career on the fact the he beat or even knocked out a great champion who was past his prime ?

It could be another Rocky Marciano - Joe Louis or Holmes - Alu. He has nothing to gain. His place in the International Boxing Hall Of Fame is assured as is his place amongst boxing greats.

Hopkins won't sit at the top table with Ali, Ray Robinson, Ray Leonard, Armstrong, Dempsey, Tunney, Duran, Hagler

But he will for sure be at the next table with Hearns, Jack Johnson, Frazier, Monzon, Salvador Sanchez

If I was in Kovalev corner

I'd tell him NO-ONE destroys Hopkins.

Not a peak Trindad. Not a peak Roy Jones. Not a peak Kelly Pavlik. Not a peak Antonio Tarver. Not a peak Oscar De La Hoya. Not a peak Joe Calzaghe.

Kovalev is a destroyer but Hopkins best performances have come against these KO kings (Trinidad, Pavlik).

He does not need it. Kovalev wins by KO in round 1 ? "O, well, Hopklns is nearly 50"

Kovalev struggles to a close points win or just struggles and is unimpressive ? Hopkins will come from the bout with more credit "Amazing how a guy that age, can still mix it with the top fighters"

Worst case scenario ? Hopkins win ? "Kovalev is over-rated. One dimensional. He was schooled"

Hopkins retires A.S.A.P

So although it's a great bout on paper. It's fight that I would not advise either of them to take.

You are wrong, Hopkins will enhance his legacy if he fights a young, strong unbeaten fighter. No point wasting time for B Hop. No one wants to watch him fight mediocre fighters they want to see him fight dangerous, edge of you seats, fights.

And Kov will be getting the biggest payday of his career so far. Makes sense for both in my opinion.

Hopkins explains that he called Haymon's bluff by stepping up to face Kovalev. Pretty interesting piece. I guess I didn't know that Hopkins took Oscar's side in the Schaefer - Golden Boy feud.

hopkins also has 2 major belts at light heavyweight, kovalev would be mad not to take this fight.. If he beats hopkins he would have 3 major belts for a short time at least, he'd be able to make some great money off of that.

I really do think Kovalev is in danger of getting away from what got him to the dance, this whole new emphasis on crushing power and needing kos. They are making him sound like a wrestler when he is a very smart boxer and sets up his power very well.

He let himself walk in, hands down cocky and Caparello set a trap in corner and dropped him clean in the 1st round. That had Bernard Hopkins written all over.

I see BHop folding up into a punching bag all night except to stick out his tongue 6 or 8 times. Kov surprises everybody by going the distance and wins by decision. I think he's too smart to fall for BHop tricks and doesn't waste energy trying to knock him out.

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Originally Posted by Silkeyjoe

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Originally Posted by Violent Demise

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Originally Posted by Silkeyjoe

I think Kov stops him. Kov is a different animal to the the guys Hops been fighting the last 4 years or so. Hop will go into survival mode early.

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They were saying the exact same shit going into the Kelly Pavlik fight

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Were they? Pavlik was a middleweight fighting at 170. Kov is a light heavyweight. As Ive mentioned on another thread its rare that a puncher at 160 has been a puncher at 168 or higher.

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Thomas Hearns took his power from 147 all the way to 175

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Originally Posted by Rantcatrat

Hopkins explains that he called Haymon's bluff by stepping up to face Kovalev. Pretty interesting piece. I guess I didn't know that Hopkins took Oscar's side in the Schaefer - Golden Boy feud.

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Hopkins owes Oscar. Oscar knew Hopkins had been frustrated his whole career by promoters and bullshit politics. When he brought him into Golden Boy he let Hopkins call his own shots. Something Bernard always wanted to do but couldn't. If Hopkins wouldn't of joined Golden Boy he wouldn't be fighting today. The bullshit politics would of made him leave the sport a long time ago