Sergey Kovalev vs. Bernard Hopkins: who wins?

[Freedom]

What's your prediction?

[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.

[Freedom]

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.

[mikeeod]

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...

[Hulk]

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.

[denilson200]

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.

I agree

All those guys saying Kovalev will blast Hopkins out, should keep quiet and are not to be taken seriously because they don't know boxing.

If this fight was made 15 years ago, then it's 70-30 fight in Hopkins favour

Hopkins ages makes it a 55-45 in Hopkins favour

O SURE - The odds makers will make Kovalev a strong favourite. But no-one can tell me that Kovalev brings a more awesome repuation and stronger credentials than Trindad or even Pavlik at the time, who were also thought of as huge punchers.

Not to mention top class fighters like Chad Dawson, Tarver, Winky Wright and I have not even mentioned...De-La Hoya

If I was Kovalev ear, I'd tell him "DON'T DO IT"

He little to gain and everything to lose. It's simple he has to DESTROY hopkins, he has to do what he did to Cleverly or knock him out, Pac Man Vs Hatton style

Anything other than that and Hopkins will come out the moral victor

And should he get beat (Which I think Kovalev will) then no fighter is every the same after Hopkins beats them

Then Hopkins retires A.S.A.P

[palmerq]

Hopkins ages makes it a 55-45 in Hopkins favour


If I was Kovalev ear, I'd tell him "DON'T DO IT"

He little to gain and everything to lose. It's simple he has to DESTROY hopkins, he has to do what he did to Cleverly or knock him out, Pac Man Vs Hatton style

He has a huge amount to gain though, kovalev as far as I remember has 1 world title belt, hopkins has 2, if kovalev wins he will have 3(one will probably strip him for fun though), if he beats hopkins he has unified 3 of the belts, that's pretty major and if he can hold onto them and set up a fight with stevenson for all 4 belts that would be even bigger than it was going to be :S I think you are way off saying kovalev has nothing to gain.. Even if hopkins makes him look bad but kovalev gets the win he is still left with all those belts and can make some huge money.. You even said youself because of hopkins age it is a 55-45 fight in hopkins favour, that's a pretty good bet considering the rewards for kovalev :S

[Gandalf]

Kovalev should win, but if Hopkins can get through the first half, maybe something will happen to Kovalev. He is so used to stopping his opponents early, that it's hard to tell how he will look over the long haul against a mover like Hopkins. My feeling is that if Kovalev lands hard and early, Hopkins is going to be wondering why he isn't smoking a pipe and wearing slippers.

It's an intriguing fight and I am impressed and surprised that Hopkins is taking it. Props to the man.

[Spicoli]

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.

[denilson200]

Hopkins ages makes it a 55-45 in Hopkins favour


If I was Kovalev ear, I'd tell him "DON'T DO IT"

He little to gain and everything to lose. It's simple he has to DESTROY hopkins, he has to do what he did to Cleverly or knock him out, Pac Man Vs Hatton style

He has a huge amount to gain though, kovalev as far as I remember has 1 world title belt, hopkins has 2, if kovalev wins he will have 3(one will probably strip him for fun though), if he beats hopkins he has unified 3 of the belts, that's pretty major and if he can hold onto them and set up a fight with stevenson for all 4 belts that would be even bigger than it was going to be :S I think you are way off saying kovalev has nothing to gain.. Even if hopkins makes him look bad but kovalev gets the win he is still left with all those belts and can make some huge money.. You even said youself because of hopkins age it is a 55-45 fight in hopkins favour, that's a pretty good bet considering the rewards for kovalev :S

Maybe Kovalev wins

I mean, he does have, that pre-historic, neanderthal man look about him. Maybe he's just so rugged, and rough and hits harder than Hopkins has ever faced before ?

Can Hopkins still keep on beating off top class younger fighters after top class younger fighters ?

Maybe this is the fight that Hopkins finally gives way to mother nature and crumbles ?

Maybe Kovalev get's totally schooled and Hokpins is given his usual 'Don't ever doubt me. Don't ever under-estimate me. Sick and tired of proving myself to you guys" speech at the post fight interview.

These different scenario's could well happen and I take your point about that Kovalev does indeed have something to gain after I read your post.

As I say I'm 55-45 in Hopkins favour for this fight, but a large part of me wants Kovalev to win and win BIG AND EASY.

I don't know but is it good for boxing that a guy touching 50 can still whip the cream of the fighters out there ?

[powerpuncher]

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.

I agree

All those guys saying Kovalev will blast Hopkins out, should keep quiet and are not to be taken seriously because they don't know boxing.

If this fight was made 15 years ago, then it's 70-30 fight in Hopkins favour

Hopkins ages makes it a 55-45 in Hopkins favour

O SURE - The odds makers will make Kovalev a strong favourite. But no-one can tell me that Kovalev brings a more awesome repuation and stronger credentials than Trindad or even Pavlik at the time, who were also thought of as huge punchers.

Not to mention top class fighters like Chad Dawson, Tarver, Winky Wright and I have not even mentioned...De-La Hoya

If I was Kovalev ear, I'd tell him "DON'T DO IT"

He little to gain and everything to lose. It's simple he has to DESTROY hopkins, he has to do what he did to Cleverly or knock him out, Pac Man Vs Hatton style

Anything other than that and Hopkins will come out the moral victor

And should he get beat (Which I think Kovalev will) then no fighter is every the same after Hopkins beats them

Then Hopkins retires A.S.A.P

Wait a minute. I don't know anything about boxing and nobody takes me seriously because I think that kovalev beats bhop with ease? I'm offended

[beenKOed]

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.

[Tam Seddon]

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

[Master]

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

[Primo Carnera]

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!