Will the referee be fair to Kovalev against Hopkins?

[Freedom]

I wonder about the refereeing in Kovalev-Hopkins. I remember the nationalistic Steve Smoger took Bernard Hopkins side against Karo Murat.

Hopkins is well-respected in America, and there's still a residue of the old "Cold War" mentality going around. People bring up the movie Rocky IV when an American fights a Russian, evoking nationalistic feelings.

Hopkins is a crafty veteran who knows every trick in the book, and when losing a fight will to use any tactic. We've seen him feign low blows and use head butts against Calzaghe, and use a head butt to cut Wright, and pretend to be injured by a foul against Dawson.

I think we should expect more of the same against Kovalev, especially if he gets hurt and feels he may lose.

But will the referee be professional and be fair to Kovalev, or will he do all he can to help the veteran B-Hop?

[Rantcatrat]

I wonder about the refereeing in Kovalev-Hopkins. I remember the nationalistic Steve Smoger took Bernard Hopkins side against Karo Murat.

Hopkins is well-respected in America, and there's still a residue of the old "Cold War" mentality going around. People bring up the movie Rocky IV when an American fights a Russian, evoking nationalistic feelings.

Hopkins is a crafty veteran who knows every trick in the book, and when losing a fight will to use any tactic. We've seen him feign low blows and use head butts against Calzaghe, and use a head butt to cut Wright, and pretend to be injured by a foul against Dawson.

I think we should expect more of the same against Kovalev, especially if he gets hurt and feels he may lose.

But will the referee be professional and be fair to Kovalev, or will he do all he can to help the veteran B-Hop?

If Kovalev doesn't prepare for the tactics Hopkins brings, he has himself and his trainer to blame. With a trainer that used to train Hopkins though, I doubt that happens. The only referee I would absolutely object to is Smoger. Other than Smoger, Kovalev has as good of shot at getting an even fight as anyone fighting anywhere.

[holmcall]

Smoger has a love affair going on with Hopkins. Loves to rub up against him and hug him and even kiss him on the head. Smoger may be a perv.


The disgrace re Murat should have resulted in Smoger being suspended.


As long as he is out of the picture -- and also Harvey Dock-- the Russian should be ok.

[Beanflicker]

No

[beenKOed]

I trust anyone except Smogger when it comes to Hopkins.

[mikeeod]

Honestly, doesn't matter who you put in there. Hop doesn't just use mind games on the other fighter, he uses them on the judges and ref as well. If it is a Jay Nady or Vic Drakulich type of ref, Hop will stir a HUGE controversy ahead of time to make the ref self conscious about being "over-officious". Additionally, Hop is a MASTER at frustrating his opponent and using dirty tactics while the ref is out of position and not able to see. It just doesn't matter who they put him in with, Hop will make it so he has the unfair advantage all the way around. My take at least. Good call on John David Jackson in the other corner though. I agree with you. I just don't know if ANYONE who fights except maybe Floyd is as savvy and crafty in that ring, and I think Hop is just naturally meaner and dirtier than Floyd...

[walrus]

Agreed, Smoger has displayed favoritism in Hopkins fight letting him get away with all kinds of nonsense without so much as a warning. The judges may do the same giving anything close to hop. I'm sure they know they are watching history and will look at it differently. I have grown to appreciate Hop but I dislike a lot of his tactics

[Gandalf]

Will the referee be fair to Kovalev? Absolutely not. When it comes to the likes of Hopkins, Mayweather and Ward, the referee may as well be a babysitter. Kovalev needs to keep his head and box and either it earns him an ugly decision or the power gets the stoppage. I don't think Hopkins can win unless the referee does a Rios, but Kovalev is a cool customer. I don't think he will get distracted.

[Master]

Hopkins will use every trick in the book to win but against in the first fight against Pascal he did not get much help. Kovalev does not have the punch output that fighters have which have beaten Hopkins but he does have the power punches. Is that enough to beat the old man? is the big question.

[beenKOed]

Will the referee be fair to Kovalev? Absolutely not. When it comes to the likes of Hopkins, Mayweather and Ward, the referee may as well be a babysitter. Kovalev needs to keep his head and box and either it earns him an ugly decision or the power gets the stoppage. I don't think Hopkins can win unless the referee does a Rios, but Kovalev is a cool customer. I don't think he will get distracted.

It's hard to stay focused when your opponent is doing whatever he wants, while he complains to the ref that you are fouling him. Hopkins should have been an actor.

[beenKOed]

Agreed, Smoger has displayed favoritism in Hopkins fight letting him get away with all kinds of nonsense without so much as a warning. The judges may do the same giving anything close to hop. I'm sure they know they are watching history and will look at it differently. I have grown to appreciate Hop but I dislike a lot of his tactics

It's liked you looked into my mind and then said it better.

[Hulk]

Is the referee going to be fair to poor little undefeated in his prime KO artist against big bad 49 10/12ths Hopkins?

Cry me a river.

Hopkins is coming to win, ref or no ref.