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Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
Who you guys got in this fight? I'm struggling to pick a winner. I've always sided with Kovalev on points but now fight week is here I'm begining to question it
If Hopkins wins you can make a case for him being the best of the modern era. If kovalev does something nobody else has ever done and knocks out Hopkins he will become an instant star
So how's it gonna unfold? ......
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
If Hopkins wins its almost certainly going to be a stinker of a fight. If Kovalev wins I think Hop is getting stopped.
I cant see Kovalev letting it become a snoozer, I cant see Hopkins getting stopped either. In conclusion.....
The two scenarios I see playing out are both as unlikely as one another.
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
Unless Kovalev goes full on Neanderthal under the big lights, the event and mentally implodes then I think we see a changing of the guard. I just don't see Hop getting away with trying to stink this last fight out. I think he's punched his last time clock. Oh I know people have been saying that since Tito but this is different. Fitting though cause he started as a light heavyweight.
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
I think Bernard will win on points. Kov isn't busy or fast enough, fights in straight lines and is predictable. Hop will start out tentative and as the fight progresses he will take over to win a decision. Kov has that big punch and is used to fighting scared guys who aren't elite. Hop lives for guys like that, still has his chin n tight defense n likes to fight at a predictable, measured pace. Hop by decision.
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
IamInuit
Unless Kovalev goes full on Neanderthal under the big lights, the event and mentally implodes then I think we see a changing of the guard. I just don't see Hop getting away with trying to stink this last fight out. I think he's punched his last time clock. Oh I know people have been saying that since Tito but this is different. Fitting though cause he started as a light heavyweight.
My Son feels Hopkins will old man him, on points I think Kovalev may well spark him, I can't stand
him Be HOP just does nothing for me in his fighting style.
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
Tony bellew picks hopkins and Nathan picks Kovalev.
I'm saying Kovalev on points which seems against the grain as logic says its Hopkins points or Kov Ko. The reason I think Kovalev takes a distance fight is because Hopkins is too good to get sparked. Pascal hit him with some big shots in both fights and Hopkins proved his chin. He was dropped twice though and I think it's those same surprise shots he doesn't see that will cost him against Kov. I don't think Kovalev finishes him off though. He will win the rounds on activity & aggression but its so hard to nail the old man clean.
I can see Hopkins begin to frustrate Kov late on but it will be too late to rescue it. The weigh in will be fascinating cuz Hopkins always starts the mind games but how do you intimidate a russian beast like Kovalev. Nathan tried that and look what happend. Winner of this vs Adonis Stevenson next time. Another great fight
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
Kovalev hurts and finishes BHop as the ref is forced to step in late in the fight 9-10th round.
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
GAME
Tony bellew picks hopkins and Nathan picks Kovalev.
I'm saying Kovalev on points which seems against the grain as logic says its Hopkins points or Kov Ko. The reason I think Kovalev takes a distance fight is because Hopkins is too good to get sparked. Pascal hit him with some big shots in both fights and Hopkins proved his chin. He was dropped twice though and I think it's those same surprise shots he doesn't see that will cost him against Kov. I don't think Kovalev finishes him off though. He will win the rounds on activity & aggression but its so hard to nail the old man clean.
I can see Hopkins begin to frustrate Kov late on but it will be too late to rescue it. The weigh in will be fascinating cuz Hopkins always starts the mind games but how do you intimidate a russian beast like Kovalev. Nathan tried that and look what happend. Winner of this vs Adonis Stevenson next time. Another great fight
I can see your point on the Pascal scenario, but I just feel that Pascal was VERY athletic and fast (always referred to as a lesser version/poor man's Roy Jones Jr.) and Kov is very methodical. I don't see Hop being surprised or caught with similar shots, but I may be wrong. DEFINITELY NOT saying that you are completely wrong and that there is no way your are right, just more talking it out with someone of a different opinion. The factors that push it over for Hop in my opinion are:
1) Style match up
2) Kov hasn't ever fought anyone close to Hop and has fought less than elite opposition
3) If you watch Kov's fights, when he corners the other fighter and is setting up his big punch, he tends to react to feints significantly and hold his hands in anticipation of the counter. I can see Hop using lateral movement and then feinting and potshotting his way out of corners/areas of danger.
Anyways, guess we will find out this Saturday. Think it is a GREAT fight and that whoever wins beats Stevenson easier, if Adonis even gets in the ring with them.
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
I hope Hopkins wins points. Amazing the old man is going against a monster puncher like this.
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
Who's the ref? I think that'll be key to who wins. If the ref allows Hopkins to hold, he wins. If not, he could be in trouble. Kovalev has the power to KO any LHW in the World, let alone a guy who's nearly 50! Props to Hopkins for even taking the fight.
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mikeeod
I think Bernard will win on points. Kov isn't busy or fast enough, fights in straight lines and is predictable. Hop will start out tentative and as the fight progresses he will take over to win a decision. Kov has that big punch and is used to fighting scared guys who aren't elite. Hop lives for guys like that, still has his chin n tight defense n likes to fight at a predictable, measured pace. Hop by decision.
I tend to agree with @mikeeod - we haven't seen Hopkins lose to this style of fighter ever. In recent times, we've seen him have difficulty with faster guys (Taylor, Calzaghe & Dawson) or unorthodox guys (Pascal) but never with come-forward, offensive big punchers (Cloud & Pavlik).
Here's the only thing that's making me think twice because otherwise I'd bet the house on Hopkins. Hopkins struggled a bit with Murat. Yes, he won the fight convincingly, but as Doug Fischer said in his mail bag this week, after six rounds all three ring-side observers had the fight even. Regardless of how you scored it though, there were moments where Murat got the better of him. Murat was stopped by Cleverly. Hopkins also been dropped a few times over the last couple of years, which is bound to happen, when you're facing the best of the best, of course, but it makes you think, because none of the guys who put him down punch as hard as Kovalev.
At the end of the day, I still go with Hopkins. I think he studied Kovalev and knew what he was doing when he decided to face him. I like Hopkins by disputed decision.
Credit to both guys though for taking the fight. I'd have favored both over Stevenson and yet they decided to fight each other rather than Stevenson. Even though Stevenson holds the lineal belt, this is the best versus the best at 175.
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
GAME
Tony bellew picks hopkins and Nathan picks Kovalev.
I'm saying Kovalev on points which seems against the grain as logic says its Hopkins points or Kov Ko. The reason I think Kovalev takes a distance fight is because Hopkins is too good to get sparked. Pascal hit him with some big shots in both fights and Hopkins proved his chin. He was dropped twice though and I think it's those same surprise shots he doesn't see that will cost him against Kov. I don't think Kovalev finishes him off though. He will win the rounds on activity & aggression but its so hard to nail the old man clean.
I can see Hopkins begin to frustrate Kov late on but it will be too late to rescue it. The weigh in will be fascinating cuz Hopkins always starts the mind games but how do you intimidate a russian beast like Kovalev. Nathan tried that and look what happend. Winner of this vs Adonis Stevenson next time. Another great fight
This.
Hopkins will do whatever it takes to survive, and he won't risk a KO by fighting clean.
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
Head goes with Hopkins but god damn would I love to see that idiot get starched by Kovalev.
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
I'm sticking by my thought of 3 months ago Default Re: Sergey Kovalev vs. Bernard Hopkins: who wins?
I won't root against Hopkins and have been a fan since he was the snaggle tooth hooded assassin trying to behead people on USA and BET. But I think Kovalev is a dangerous mix of savvy power boxing and unshakable confidence that he has not faced in a very very long time. On physicality alone Hopkins will feel every bit 50 yrs old on heavy legs when he tries the inside wrestling and spinning out for one sniper right hand. Way too much is being pumped up about blasting out and raw power and frankly Kathy Duva needs to stfu. Kovalev doesn't need that false confidence garbage or to short change himself on boxing ability. Power isn't a thing unless you can deliver and set up against a mobile and multi geared guy. Kovalev does these subtle adjustments himself, half steps off double jabs to head-body and never neglects straight punches to the body. He doesn't need or want to load up or frankly aim for the head..just natural sapping type punch and flow to the body, chest and move a guy into position for capper. This isn't a one dimensional Cloud or a self doubting and reluctant Shumenov and equally Kovalev has never been in with the experience and battle plan round table of a boxing mind that is Hopkins, but at the end of the day and Hell freezing over I think Kovalev has what it takes to naturally wear him down with a harsh accumulative effect and capitalize in the exchange Hopkins will be forced into to survive and score a tko over a legend. I hate saying it, but I do believe it.
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
Hopkins will win by robbery, perhaps a technical decision after a deliberate head butt. All four officials are from the same part of the USA as B-Hop.
I'm sure the referee will permit Hopkins to use every illegal trick in the book.
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
if hopkins wins this one it will be impressive, difficult to bet against
ive voted a kovalev KO
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
Either Hopkins makes it almost unbearable to watch or he fakes an injury or something and quits.
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Freedom
Hopkins will win by robbery, perhaps a technical decision after a deliberate head butt. All four officials are from the same part of the USA as B-Hop.
I'm sure the referee will permit Hopkins to use every illegal trick in the book.
Stop making excuses, it did not stop Joe Calzaghe winning.
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
Kovalev is a big puncher and a good enough boxer to land clean on BHop....can a 50 year old chin take what Kovalev will dish out? I doubt it. Sure Hopkins will fight ugly as is his M.O., but age WILL catch Hopkins and Kovalev will be the one to bring Bernard back to reality
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Fenster
Either Hopkins makes it almost unbearable to watch or he fakes an injury or something and quits.
Like he did against Dawson.
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
Kovalev does so much damage even when he's landing on arms and shoulders that the percentages here say Kovalev late stoppage or KO. And there's even the chance he lands something big early in the fight and stops Hopkins. But I'm going to go with Hopkins on points because he knows all this too and he's still willing to get in the ring with Kovalev a few weeks before his fiftieth birthday. He obviously fancies the fight.
So I'm going with Hopkins climbing off the canvas to win in a stunner. Either guy winning is a stunning result, as far as events and history go this is the fight of the year.
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
By the way, Kovalev appears to be a much better boxer than Cloud or Pavlik. I'm not sure if my post came off as comparing the three. They just comparable in that they're big punchers.
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Kovalev is a tough puncher and agile. But he is one dimensional. This is like Ali vs Foreman. Except no rope a dope. This willwill be called SMOKE A DOPE. as the Alien will smoke him.
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
Ye of little faith...
I have my concerns, but I'm picking Hopkins. Never beat against THE MAN!
He is a master boxer and will survive the early storm to outbox Kovalev.
I'll be nervous early on.
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
"That was some impressive shit by kovalev, served notice to the division." said this about kovalev after the campillo fight, I think I'll be saying it again after tomorrow's fight. If hopkins somehow wins then I say he needs to donate his body to science, I am going with the "krusher" inside the distance
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
armin
"That was some impressive shit by kovalev, served notice to the division." said this about kovalev after the campillo fight, I think I'll be saying it again after tomorrow's fight. If hopkins somehow wins then I say he needs to donate his body to science, I am going with the "krusher" inside the distance
I had high hopes for Campillo but he is such a slowwwww starter and has a glass chin.
Ill be very disappointed if Kovalev wins, but it is a real possibility.
This is a very risky fight for the ageless one.
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
Common sense would say Kovalev very big puncher and youth on his side, but this is
Hopkins a crafty git beating the odds is his game.
You no I don't like him, but give credit were credit is given a tough SOB and very hard to beat,
and any body that's does beat him never looks good in doing so.
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
Everything in my head points to a Kovalev victory :-X but I'm going with the heart and thinking/ wishing/ hoping the old man pulls off the upset once again :o
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
Usually, the closer we get to a Hopkins fight, the better chance I give his opponent...this time, the closer we get to opening bell the better chance I give the Old Man.
I see either Hopkins on points or Kovalev by stoppage.
One little caveat
Sergey's only seen the 8th round once...so if he can't put a dent in BHOP early...the old man could drown him late ;D
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
Kovalev is anything but one dimensional, Hopkins is going to be in a world of trouble when he realises that after the first round. After the second or third time on the canvas the old man is not going to risk getting up and being knocked out cold by somebody he has so roundly dismissed. It's a pity I will be watching the recording on Sunday morning, because it would have made the beer taste that much sweeter.
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
I voted Hopkins win, though a DQ lurks in my mind...
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
There is an outside shot I think that KOV could be a little star struck by both those in the audience, the event itself and the man he's fighting.Combined with his aggressive nature something could take place early in the fight that disrupts the rest of it in favour of Hop. I think its pasture time for the old warhorse but anything is possible.
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
I want Hopkins stretched by Kovalev. I just see Kovalev a little linear at this point and the jousting kovalev does is going to set him up for Hopkins counters. Hopkins will posture and try to give Kovalev looks at something hes hasn't encountered before and try to get Kovalev to hesitate. Kovalev can probably laugh off whatever hopkins lands, but that doesn't mean it wont score. Kovalev has to remain focused and keep the attack going while trying not to stand right in front of hopkins for too long and soak up counters like a sponge.
Hopkins hoping that if it comes down to a split, the selling of the historical bs around his age and accomplishments etc will earn him and edge. I hope he thinks this will be another pavlik fight and he has it on lock. As Kovi's the oddsmakers favorite, theres money to be made at the betting houses though..
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
IamInuit
There is an outside shot I think that KOV could be a little star struck by both those in the audience, the event itself and the man he's fighting.Combined with his aggressive nature something could take place early in the fight that disrupts the rest of it in favour of Hop. I think its pasture time for the old warhorse but anything is possible.
Also its not been mentioned much at all, but fact is Kovalev was dropped in his last fight. Its more the 'how'..timed off the ropes with a right -while- he was having his foot stepped on. I'd put money on Hopkins watching that ten times. I think this one all boils down to the mentality of Kovalev. I can see star struck more than being psyched out by Hopkins. Half the time I don't know if Kov 'gets' the joke or run on sentences of Hopkins. He gets that literal look of not speaking the language. I cannot remember a big fight recently that I've been so roller coaster, back & forth on
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
Spicoli
Quote:
Originally Posted by
IamInuit
There is an outside shot I think that KOV could be a little star struck by both those in the audience, the event itself and the man he's fighting.Combined with his aggressive nature something could take place early in the fight that disrupts the rest of it in favour of Hop. I think its pasture time for the old warhorse but anything is possible.
Also its not been mentioned much at all, but fact is Kovalev was dropped in his last fight. Its more the 'how'..timed off the ropes with a right -while- he was having his foot stepped on. I'd put money on Hopkins watching that ten times. I think this one all boils down to the mentality of Kovalev. I can see star struck more than being psyched out by Hopkins. Half the time I don't know if Kov 'gets' the joke or run on sentences of Hopkins. He gets that literal look of not speaking the language. I cannot remember a big fight recently that I've been so roller coaster, back & forth on
Pick Hopkins my friend and bask in his victory afterwards. And I agree that it is tough to read Kovalev, he is very aloof.
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
One of the two that said Kovalev on points. I would've made a bundle on this one.
:)
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Fair play to Kovalev. What a tough tough SOB Hopkins is.
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
Sucks being wrong, especially when it's one of your favorite fighters who loses. Hats off to Kov for the win, he is better than I thought and the real deal. Hats off to Hop for taking the fight. I hope he retires at this point and let's the younger guys do their thing.
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Re: Hopkins vs Kovalev - who wins?
The funny thing is I still believe Hopkins can beat top LHWs - maybe even Stevenson.
Styles make fights, Kovalev fought the perfect fight to beat Hopkins. I don't know if Stevenson can do the same thing or if his style matches as well with Hopkins.