Article on how Kovalev will fight B hop

[Tam Seddon]

How Sergey Kovalev will fight Bernard Hopkins | Boxing News - boxing news, results, rankings, schedules since 1909

Interesting points, but I think they are also forgetting B hop isn't shitty Cleverly and has a million times more experience and a lot better defence. B hop isn't simply going to be standing around like Cleverly did relying on his so called 'granite chin' hoping Kovalev will slow down and have a late rally to win. B hop as we all know is far too smart for that.

[oakleyno1]

Such a good fight -

I have bet against hopkins too many times - I thought Pavlik would destroy him - I thought Pascal would do him both times

I don't rate Kov too highly - although he's clearly fucking powerful - but hopkins is 49 for gods sake!

50-50 fight for me

[greynotsoold]

John David Jackson knows boxing, and that is the way to fight Hopkins. Hit him, make him stay busy and active. Don't let him BS you. The last things Hopkins wants to have happen in the ring is for a fight to break out.

[chris6878]

Such a good fight -

I have bet against hopkins too many times - I thought Pavlik would destroy him - I thought Pascal would do him both times

I don't rate Kov too highly - although he's clearly fucking powerful - but hopkins is 49 for gods sake!

50-50 fight for me

Bhop Ended pavliks career with that fight. He did him in sooo bad that it was down hill for pavilk after. never been the same.

My money on bhop frustrating kovalev.............bhop is a real fighter, unlike floyd i only pic people i can beat mayweather

[mikeeod]

I've said from the beginning that the one aspect I don't like about this fight for Hop is that Jackson is in the other corner. Hop has credited Jackson with teaching him how to fight southpaws, and has acted as Hop's chief second to Brother Naz. As a matter of fact, I think Jackson moved up to lead trainer while Nazim was recovering from his stroke.

All of that being said, Jackson can't fight this fight for Kov and I'm not sure Kov has the athleticism to force the quick pace needed to exhaust Hop. If the Russian is overly aggressive I think he will eat some hard shots early and will likely become hesitant. That is why Hop is so effective against big punchers. He doesn't get rattled or nervous, he takes away their favorite punch and he hits hard enough and at the right time so as to discourage the guy and make him overthink what he is doing.

Hop will eventually lose to Father Time, and he already has to a degree against Dawson, Taylor and Calzaghe. I feel that style wise Hop is better served in this fight and will get the hard fought win. I have to say that I greatly admire Hop for taking this guy on, and agree with the comment that Hop is a true fighter with a fighters mentality.

[johnsebastianmiran]

I agree that Kovalev does not have the athleticism to force Hopkins to tire under pressure unless his training habits were abruptly changed like longer runs or training at high altitudes and most of all remaining calm and jabbing from the outside. Hopkins wears you down when he comes in and years ago Roy Jones beat him from outside, a feat he could no longer utilize in the rematch. I am not a B Hop fan but he never deviates from a plan and that's discipline. Kovalev depends on his power too much and sometimes plods his way in and cutting the ring off on B Hop means not rushing him but slipping in withe finesse. Mr. K is going to have a rough time if he rushes toward B hop in a straight line like a slugger with no finesse. B Hop is a clean liver but knows how to fight dirty on the inside and if Kovalev depends on his power he may be disappointed. Cutting off the ring, using his jab generously may surprise B Hop into a mistake from a point where B Hop can'[t manhandle him. I still wouldn't bet the house on the younger opponent.

[Rantcatrat]

This is a great fight. I wish I could travel to it. Hopkins can win. Kovalev can win. The thing about Kovalev is his power is scary. He's knocked out multiple guys with jabs. That's pretty disgusting. He's not a power puncher that winds up either. He seems to be sort of effortless with his power. Savage kind of power. But, I've never thought power beats Hopkins. Volume or speed or dynamic athleticism beats Hopkins. Power hasn't done it yet. I'm not sure this is the first time it will either. I like Hopkins in this one, slowing the fight down, and not engaging very often, but winning a boring decision.

[J_Undisputed]

I agree that Kovalev does not have the athleticism to force Hopkins to tire under pressure unless his training habits were abruptly changed like longer runs or training at high altitudes and most of all remaining calm and jabbing from the outside. Hopkins wears you down when he comes in and years ago Roy Jones beat him from outside, a feat he could no longer utilize in the rematch. I am not a B Hop fan but he never deviates from a plan and that's discipline. Kovalev depends on his power too much and sometimes plods his way in and cutting the ring off on B Hop means not rushing him but slipping in withe finesse. Mr. K is going to have a rough time if he rushes toward B hop in a straight line like a slugger with no finesse. B Hop is a clean liver but knows how to fight dirty on the inside and if Kovalev depends on his power he may be disappointed. Cutting off the ring, using his jab generously may surprise B Hop into a mistake from a point where B Hop can'[t manhandle him. I still wouldn't bet the house on the younger opponent.

I agree. I think Kovalev's got to be a bit more cerebral in this fight. Jackson needs to highlight the spots where Kovalev can really make his mark. This is why it always puzzles me when fighters admit they don't watch tapes. Its true there are things a fighter can change but there are a lot of things they cant/ wont either. Watching Hopkins fights you know what he will do. So if jackson makes sure kovalev can read hopkins, Kovalev will know when to maximize his advantage and throw the real heavy leather.

-Hopkins loves to catch guys coming and then go into his shell and invite them in where the leverage is taken off their punches. Kovalev has to the play the distance here, Jousting straights from the outside or play the inside from an angle. and go after the body.

-Hopkins also loves to retreat and draw an opponent in, blitz with combos with nothing on the first 2 punches and draw their attention to defending an area and get them on their heels then try to pop em clean and hard over the top the last shot for effect. Kovalevs gotta nip that in the bud, pivot out and dig to the body instead of going straight back and letting hop line him up.

-Hopkins likes to pretend to brawl and flurry at the end with a few seconds left, to steal the round. Kovalev should be ready and throw short straight and hard up the middle (or uppercuts) . Hopkins just using slapping arm punches because he doesn't want to leave room for his opponents to get the hooks going and be susceptible to wide heavy punches.

- Above all. In keeping with the no rest for the old man theme, Kovalev has to be aware of punch placement. once hopkins starts to wear down he'll be looking for a 5 minute break. Any punch near the belt will give hopkins an excuse to grab his groin and try to get the ref to call it low. Same thing for punches not forward of the ear during the clinches. Any roughhousing on the inside gives hopkins a reason to fall down and fake injury if he feels he's in trouble.

just my 2 cents..

[Britkid]

John David Jackson knows boxing, and that is the way to fight Hopkins. Hit him, make him stay busy and active. Don't let him BS you. The last things Hopkins wants to have happen in the ring is for a fight to break out.

And if you are on the verge of stopping him, remember to still guard against a desperate bomb!

[mikeeod]

I agree that Kovalev does not have the athleticism to force Hopkins to tire under pressure unless his training habits were abruptly changed like longer runs or training at high altitudes and most of all remaining calm and jabbing from the outside. Hopkins wears you down when he comes in and years ago Roy Jones beat him from outside, a feat he could no longer utilize in the rematch. I am not a B Hop fan but he never deviates from a plan and that's discipline. Kovalev depends on his power too much and sometimes plods his way in and cutting the ring off on B Hop means not rushing him but slipping in withe finesse. Mr. K is going to have a rough time if he rushes toward B hop in a straight line like a slugger with no finesse. B Hop is a clean liver but knows how to fight dirty on the inside and if Kovalev depends on his power he may be disappointed. Cutting off the ring, using his jab generously may surprise B Hop into a mistake from a point where B Hop can'[t manhandle him. I still wouldn't bet the house on the younger opponent.

I agree. I think Kovalev's got to be a bit more cerebral in this fight. Jackson needs to highlight the spots where Kovalev can really make his mark. This is why it always puzzles me when fighters admit they don't watch tapes. Its true there are things a fighter can change but there are a lot of things they cant/ wont either. Watching Hopkins fights you know what he will do. So if jackson makes sure kovalev can read hopkins, Kovalev will know when to maximize his advantage and throw the real heavy leather.

-Hopkins loves to catch guys coming and then go into his shell and invite them in where the leverage is taken off their punches. Kovalev has to the play the distance here, Jousting straights from the outside or play the inside from an angle. and go after the body.

-Hopkins also loves to retreat and draw an opponent in, blitz with combos with nothing on the first 2 punches and draw their attention to defending an area and get them on their heels then try to pop em clean and hard over the top the last shot for effect. Kovalevs gotta nip that in the bud, pivot out and dig to the body instead of going straight back and letting hop line him up.

-Hopkins likes to pretend to brawl and flurry at the end with a few seconds left, to steal the round. Kovalev should be ready and throw short straight and hard up the middle (or uppercuts) . Hopkins just using slapping arm punches because he doesn't want to leave room for his opponents to get the hooks going and be susceptible to wide heavy punches.

- Above all. In keeping with the no rest for the old man theme, Kovalev has to be aware of punch placement. once hopkins starts to wear down he'll be looking for a 5 minute break. Any punch near the belt will give hopkins an excuse to grab his groin and try to get the ref to call it low. Same thing for punches not forward of the ear during the clinches. Any roughhousing on the inside gives hopkins a reason to fall down and fake injury if he feels he's in trouble.

just my 2 cents..

Really good analysis and pretty much how I see it. Really good observations and breakdown.

[Master]

I take my hat off to B Hop for taking on Kovalev.

Although Kovalev does not have a high punch rate his power is crippling and he will have to time it just right to deter Hopkins. I think Kovalev wins an intriguing, physical and durable fight.

[erics44]

Such a good fight -

I have bet against hopkins too many times - I thought Pavlik would destroy him - I thought Pascal would do him both times

I don't rate Kov too highly - although he's clearly fucking powerful - but hopkins is 49 for gods sake!

50-50 fight for me

Int hoppo in his 50s now?

If he wins this one then that would be impressive wunnit?

[Master]

I am tempted to subscribe back to box nation to see Hopkins fight. I never thought I would ever write that.

[walrus]

I agree that Kovalev does not have the athleticism to force Hopkins to tire under pressure unless his training habits were abruptly changed like longer runs or training at high altitudes and most of all remaining calm and jabbing from the outside. Hopkins wears you down when he comes in and years ago Roy Jones beat him from outside, a feat he could no longer utilize in the rematch. I am not a B Hop fan but he never deviates from a plan and that's discipline. Kovalev depends on his power too much and sometimes plods his way in and cutting the ring off on B Hop means not rushing him but slipping in withe finesse. Mr. K is going to have a rough time if he rushes toward B hop in a straight line like a slugger with no finesse. B Hop is a clean liver but knows how to fight dirty on the inside and if Kovalev depends on his power he may be disappointed. Cutting off the ring, using his jab generously may surprise B Hop into a mistake from a point where B Hop can'[t manhandle him. I still wouldn't bet the house on the younger opponent.

I agree. I think Kovalev's got to be a bit more cerebral in this fight. Jackson needs to highlight the spots where Kovalev can really make his mark. This is why it always puzzles me when fighters admit they don't watch tapes. Its true there are things a fighter can change but there are a lot of things they cant/ wont either. Watching Hopkins fights you know what he will do. So if jackson makes sure kovalev can read hopkins, Kovalev will know when to maximize his advantage and throw the real heavy leather.

-Hopkins loves to catch guys coming and then go into his shell and invite them in where the leverage is taken off their punches. Kovalev has to the play the distance here, Jousting straights from the outside or play the inside from an angle. and go after the body.

-Hopkins also loves to retreat and draw an opponent in, blitz with combos with nothing on the first 2 punches and draw their attention to defending an area and get them on their heels then try to pop em clean and hard over the top the last shot for effect. Kovalevs gotta nip that in the bud, pivot out and dig to the body instead of going straight back and letting hop line him up.

-Hopkins likes to pretend to brawl and flurry at the end with a few seconds left, to steal the round. Kovalev should be ready and throw short straight and hard up the middle (or uppercuts) . Hopkins just using slapping arm punches because he doesn't want to leave room for his opponents to get the hooks going and be susceptible to wide heavy punches.

- Above all. In keeping with the no rest for the old man theme, Kovalev has to be aware of punch placement. once hopkins starts to wear down he'll be looking for a 5 minute break. Any punch near the belt will give hopkins an excuse to grab his groin and try to get the ref to call it low. Same thing for punches not forward of the ear during the clinches. Any roughhousing on the inside gives hopkins a reason to fall down and fake injury if he feels he's in trouble.

just my 2 cents..

Really good analysis and pretty much how I see it. Really good observations and breakdown.

Agreed, this is phenomenal. Excellently written and I'll be damned if it ain't on the money. Makes perfect sense and I would not be surprised to see some of this come about. Hats of to the writer.

[GAME]

Interesting mix of styles. Kov knows he can't stand off he would be hypnotised by the tricks of e old man if he tried to stand off and box him. He's gotta impose the advantages he has hit, make it a rough high paced fight and work up close when Hopkins is spoiling. A lot of guys allow hop to get comfortable up close so he knows all he has to do is initiate clinches and the other guy gives him a rest. Kov can't fall into that trap. Make Hopkins afraid of being close, keep him goin back and cut off the corners