Quote Originally Posted by Rantcatrat View Post
This is a great fight at light heavyweight. I like Hopkins in this one if there is no testing.
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.